Horse Worse with Treatment and Natural Balance Shoeing Method

[jktwomoon]

I purchased a 10-year-old QH in October of 05. This horse was team penned on, rode in volatile mountainous country and performed slow barrel work with no problem. On June 3 and 4 of 06, we participated in a barrel horse clinic and came home with no problem. He went back to another barrel clinic on June 7 and 8 and was slightly sore on his right front across the gravel by the end of the day on the 8th. On the 11th my regular horse shoer re-shod and noticed red in his white line bilaterally but was not worried. On the 12th came up Grade 1/5 in a straight line, predominately on his left front. On July 13th he slightly worsened Grade 2/5 on a straight and circle direction on hard ground. On the 15th of June, my main vet performed lateral x-rays (front and hind) but by this time the lameness had resolved but we performed the x-rays as a cautionary measure and baseline status. The x- rays were negative per my vet and he was cleared. On June 20 and 21st this horse went back to another barrel clinic. He was turned out after the night of the 21st and on June 23rd then presented lame Grade 2/5 on his left front on a circle going to the left on hard ground. He was again turned out and checked twice per day morning and evening to grade lameness he did not improve or worsen.

On the evening of June 26th, the horse still stable in lameness grade presented with a small swollen area in the lateral small pastern region behind the suspensory branch. We cold hosed this area and seen slight decrease in the swelling and then packed him in cold gel wraps and called my vet. She asked me to take off his shoe. We did and noticed hemorrhage spots in his white line and a sole bruise in the medial heel region adjacent to the bar of the hoof. She told me to stop the cold and soak in hot water and Epsom salt for 50 minutes. We did. On the morning of June 27th Plaiting and severe loading of the medial left hoof were occurring. My vet came and performed pain tests (negative) a nerve block on the left front. She believes he went totally sound, I thought he went 80% sound. But then we discovered he was Grade 1/5 lame on the right foot on hard ground. She advised we continue to soak (bilaterally) and ichtamol pack (bilaterally)-we did.

On the morning of June 29th I took him to another vet with digital x-ray. He performed pain testing (negative bilaterally). And flex testing (negative). Palpated the posterior tendons and thought they felt normal. Four slides were taken of each foot. On the left the vet noticed calcification of the lateral cartilages (he does have an old injury-wire cut- to this region) slight ossification in the right upper edge of the navicular bone where it joins P2. Also slight enlargement of the synovial channels in the navicular bone was noted.

On the right he noticed slight demineralization of the navicular bone and slight enlargement of the synovial invaginations within the navicular bone.

His recommendation was Bute 2 Gm BID for 10 days, re-shoe and decrease the right heel 2-4 degrees and the left heel 1 degree. Diagnosis was possible inflammation of the impar ligament.

I shared this information with my main veterinarian who insisted that I soak and ichtamol pack as she believed it was abscesses and not what the above vet suggested because there was no way of knowing without MRI. We proceeded to adhere to her suggestion and soaked and ichatamol packed until 07/04/06. There was no change in lameness grade. But the hemorrhage lines were spottier and receding and the sole bruise had disappeared.

On 07/04/06 we gave 2 Gm of Bute and coated his sole in 7% iodine and protective wrapped the hoof and sole. 3 hours later he was almost normal in stride. I spoke with my vet on the 5th of July and she suggested sugardine.

We mixed betadine and sugar and packed with the 7th. He was almost back to normal. His stride on his left looked shorter than the right but more stiff than sore. I spoke with my vet who suggested that we discontinue the sugardine and protective wrap to see where he would end up after the sugardine wore off. On the 8th, 9th there was still shortness in the left front stride but no bob. On Monday night the 10th the horse was toe landing on the left front and stumbling. I called my vet who suggested I let a corrective shoer put shoes and pads on him.

On Tuesday the horse-shoer arrived and asked to have him walk and try to trot on gravel. The shoer was a “Natural Balance” shoer. He was grade 4/5 on gravel. The horseshoer looked at the digital x-rays and suggested the horse had pedal osteitis. At this point there was also noteable difference in the frog. The central sulcus of the frog on the left and right appeared to be “caving in” in the middle. The shoer suggested the frog was experiencing atrophy. During shoeing the horse was visibly uncomfortable while the shoer was nailing the right hoof. An hour and a half after the shoer left the horse was shifting weight between right and left front while standing and was 4/5 lame in a circle left and right. That night at 2130 I gave 2 Gm of Bute. The next morning at 0500 the horse had heat and palpable pulse in the right front. The heat was felt from the coronary band to approximately 3 inches above. The horse was a grade 2-3/5 on the left in a circle and 4/5 on the right. I gave no bute and called the vet.

The horse shoer came out and looked at him and explained that he thought the horse was transitioning and that he would adjust.

At 2100 on July 12, 2006 the horse was a Grade 2/5 on the left and a grade 4/5 on the right. Slightly palpable heat and pulse in the same area on the right. I administered 2 Gm of Bute.

0730 July 13, 2006 Grade 2-3 going to the left and Grade 4/5 on the right. I administered 1 Gm of Bute.

1130- July 13, 2006 Grade 3/5 straight line Grade 3-4/5 to the left on a circle and Grade 4/5 going to the right. Slight palpation of heat and pulse on the right.

Based on what I have read and read and read. It almost seems to me as if this horse has internal damage beyond what is viewable by radiograph or ultrasound. It also seems to me that by performing this system of shoeing and keeping this horse in pain that we could be exacerbating the problem instead of helping it. My vet keeps telling me to leave the shoes on and give it time. I understand time but not when what you have done makes things worse. Any advice? I am at a stagnation point and losing hope fast. I feel that if there were any hope in making this horse better it is slowly disappearing with the pain and lameness that are a continuation in this horse.

[Jeanie Connors]

Was there a change in feed around the time of the initial soreness? Change of paddock? Change of location, work load, a new wormer (Zim Gold?), vaccinations, anything? Did the horse get out of the paddock? Did you buy some new treats?

The red white line and sole bruise sounds like inflammation to me, and the continuing soreness sounds like a continuing inflammation issue. This does not sound like your horse just needs to "get used to" the new shoes (which should never have to be the case, anyway). It sounds like an unresolved issue, inside the hoof, to me too.

[jktwomoon]

Thanks for inquiring. The only thing I can think that was different was on the last clinic we were at, on the last day, we were in an arena with sand. This would lead me to believe that there was some type of soft tissue strain, sprain or tear that obviously is undetecable through radiograph. However, no change in feed, pasturing (our horses are not stalled-they are on dry, hard ground pasture).

Last night when I checked him he was grade 4/5 on a walk on both left and right. I pulled the shoes and pads. We removed one nail at a time and I have never seen a horse so uncomfortable. Every nail that came out, he pulled his foot back, bobbed his head. He is worse on his left fore this morning grade 5/5 but I have no regrets I know we did the right thing.

[calshoer]

Sorry I somehow missed this thread as I was out of town that whole week. Do you have any pictures of the NB shoeing? I would like to see them if possible. As well how much Natural balance training does this "natural balance" shoer have?
Horses should not have to "transition" to *correctly applied* natural balance.
If they are worse after a shoeing, (ANY sort of shoeing not just NB), something was either missed, hidden ( like an abscess that was just evolving to the clinical stage, or the ywere on the verge of laminitis or something like that ) or the NB was somehow misapplied.
It sounds as if either this horshoeing was misapplied,(sole pressure, or hot nails, or trimmed too short,or the toe dubbed off, or something) or the horse already had low grade laminitis that the vet missed (they all too often do miss that) and the trauma of more trimming and the shoeing exacerbated it.
Its possiblt hat you horse should have been done in something more the****utic that plain NB shoeing..perhaps EDSS. Simple Natural Balance is not enough or appropriate for all hoof conditions. It sometimes takes more to treat a problem correctly.
How is the horse doing now?
Patty

[jktwomoon]

Hello Patty, I have been viewing this website everyday and have read your comments to those individuals who have had problems and I have to say I admire your thoroughness and committment to the cause of saving the horse.

First and foremost let me say, I am not a farrier and I am not a horseshoer, however I know my horse and this situation has been a nightmare. I tried to upload pictures of the lateral x-rays however they are too large to upload but I have included the diary log that I have kept. You can e-mail me and I can try to send the x-ray images. You have to have high-speed internet though. This post is long but will hopefully provide some good information. So now on to answering your questions.

1. Do you have any pictures of the NB shoeing?" No. I was so concerned about getting the shoes off that I did not take any pictures. However he was shod with The Steel Natural Balance Shoe™ and the wedge pad as I had previously stated and dental impression to create a dead space between the pad and P3. I asked the second horseshoer who came out and shod him, (also a natural balance shoer) what the degree of wedge was and he stated 3-degrees.

2. "how much Natural balance training does this "natural balance" shoer have? He operates a Natural Balance Training Facility in our State.

I would agree that things were not right. To make a long story short. The second natural balance shoer that came (he is a student of the one who intially shod)- I made him grind off the wedge and he used just a straight rim shoe But as far as everything else it was done the same.

The horse has improved to 0/5 grade lameness bilaterally on a straight line. However he is 0-3 tonight on the left after I stretched out his front legs. Last night we did notice some swelling again in the same region on his left fore. We cold hosed and it decreased. His is unable to stand square on his hind and front at the same time and drags his hind toes.

Patty, I will post the diary below but my primary horseshoer thinks that by placing the shoe over P3 (even though there supposedly is dead space in between the pad and P3 created by dental impression) we could see some changes in the coffin bone that were negative (by two vets) before. And suggests that I have digitals done again to be sure. He also states it will take approximately 6 months to grow his heels out. This horse has had two-reshoeings in the last 3 weeks. He can not go without shoes.

A. Could this be an issue?
B. Should I re-xray now and risk another shoeing job?
3. Is there any published data- CSU, Pullman-that relates to long term use of Natural Balance in soft tissue or Navicular instances? I know there was a study started in 01 or 02 using three different treatment methods however (and one was natural balance) I can not find the published results.

If you have any suggestions I would welcome them. I am very concerned and this horse is very dear to me and I would go to the ends of the earth to help him. At this point I just don't know how. I would do MRI however, it is not available in this state and my primary vet discourages me. I plan on taking him for another set of digitals however I feel our window of opportunity is gone and with each passing day and each new change I find myself wondering what really went wrong and if there will ever be a time where he will ever be normal again.


DIARY LOG
2000-07/13/06 Bilateral lameness at walk on circle grade 4/5. Increased digital pulse on right front with heat. Took off shoes and pads. Horse was visibly uncomfortable. Had to remove one nail at a time or horse would almost fall on us. Discontinued supplemental feed.

2115 07/13/06 Easy boots Grade 4/5 Bilaterally on a circle. Grade 4/5 on straight line on left front. 2 GM of bute.

0703-07/14/06 Easy Boots Grade 5/5 Bilaterally crossing over at a walk. Grade 5/5 on left front in a straight line at a walk. And 4/5 on right on straight line at a walk

0800-07/14/06 Removed Easy Boots Wrapped in diapers, dry animal-intex for extra padding, vet wrap and tape for protection. 2 Gm Bute. Grade 5/5 Bilaterally crossing over. Grade 5/5 on left in straight line. Put in soft ground arena

1230-07/14/06- While driving to town horse is eating and bearing full weight on left with right cocked under.

1430-07/14/06- Nose flies, horse down on knees, rearing. Upon leading Grade 3-4 bilaterally on straight line. Grade 4-5 Bilaterally in turning. Swelling in right fetlock area. Heat in R knee. Ice Tight with paper and saran wrap, vet wrap, baby diapers, gorilla tape wrap. 2 GM bute

2100-07/1406 Grade 3 on left front, grade 2, on right front in a straight line, grade 4 on a turn. 1 GM of bute.

07/15/06- 1100- Swelling in fetlock resolved, slight heat in right knee joint Grade 2 on right front, Grade 3 on left front, rewrap with ice tight above knees bilaterally. Stall rest. 2- GM of bute

07/15/06 1700- Swelling and heat still resolved. Pain in left front on palpation in space below bulbs, above the sulcus of the frog in hair region in middle of foot posteriorly. Soak and rewrap with ichtamol per female vet. Grade 2 on left and right front in straight line. Grade 3-4 on turn. Only slightly reluctant to trot. Trotted to hay. Turned into arena for the evening. 1- GM of bute.

07/16/06- 0800 Swelling and heat resolved. Pain on left and right bilaterally to touch, uncomfortable bearing weight. Grade 3 bilaterally. Rewrap and pack feet and fetlock with Ice Tight. Slather ice tight up to knee. Stall rest. Spit out Bute on apple cubes L. Discontinued Bute.

07/16/06-1700 Grade 2 on left Grade 1 on right. 4 when hitting stones. Grade 3 on a turn-around. Increased comfort in standing. Rewrap in ice tight. No bute turned into arena.

1800-07/17/06 Grade 2 on left Grade 1 on right. Rewrap without Ice tight. Diaper and gorilla tape. Grade 3on turn around. Called male vet confirmed forward broken pastern axis. Female vet stated that was not a significant factor in horse being more lame with wedge.

0900 07/18/06- Grade 2 bilaterally. Grade 3 on turn around. At times grade 4. Stall rest.

1830 07/18/06- Grade 2 bilaterally and turn around with intermittent grade 3. Grade 4 when hit stone at times but not all. Rewrap baby diapers, gorilla tape put in arena no bute.

0730-07/19/06 Grade 2 bilaterally. Intermittent grade 3 on turn around. No bute.

1200-07/19/06 New shoer. Negative on pain test. Rim shoes placed in natural balance position, made him grind nd off wedge on wedge pad and dental impression. Female vet instructed horse shoer to shoe as if a foundered horse, leaving dead space under the pad in area of P3. Grade 3/3 on a circle trot bilaterally. Toe Landing. Increased digital pulses. Stall rest

1630-07/19/06 Grade 2 on straight line bilaterally more prominent on left. Wanting to chase dogs, moving more around arena. Wanting to nip at the other horses. At feeding time. Did famous hop around!

0900-07/20/06 Grade 2-3/5 on Left in circle Grade 2/5 on right in a circle. Increased digital pulse in right although not as strong. Stall rest. Turn out in dry grass pasture at 1430 until 1600.

1630-07/20/2006 Grade 2 on right and grade 2 on left in circle. Grade 1 in straight line on hard and soft surfaces. Resume supplemental feed.

07/21/06- 1630 Grade 2 on right and grade 3 on left in circle. Grade 1 in straight line on hard and soft surfaces.

07/22/06 1100- Grade 2 on right and grade 1-2 on left in circle. Grade 1 in straight line on hard and soft surfaces.

07/23/06- Grade 1 on right and grade 1-2 on left in circle. Grade 1 in straight line on hard and soft surfaces. New rims on hind. Billy believes 6 months to grow heels out.

07/24/06-07/25/06 I was out of town. Lynn stated no change until night of 25th. Then says that he can’t see even mild lameness.

07/27/06 Grade 0-1 on left front in circle. Difficult to see. Looks like subtle dropping of shoulder. Grade 0-1 on right front in circle appears as if stride is shorter. Dragging hind toes.

07/28/06-1630 Refer to video grade 0-1 on left and right circle on unlevel ground. Grade 0 on straight soft ground. Dragging hind toes.


07/30/06 Grade 1-2 on left front in circle on hard unlevel ground and level ground. Slight swelling in small swollen area in the left lateral small pastern region behind the suspensory branch. Cold hosed for approximately 15-20 minutes. Swelling decreased by 30%. Fed Dinner put away for night. Dragging hind toes.


07/31/06 1200- Decreased swelling. Grade 1-3 on left front on hard unlevel ground. Grade 0 on Right front. Grade 1 on left at straight line. Grade 0 on right on straight line. Dragging hind toes.


07/31/06 1700- Decreased swelling. Grade 0-1 on left fore on uneven unlevel ground. Grade 0 on right unlevel ground. Grade 0 bilaterally on left and right on hard level ground. Dragging hind toes. Stretched legs. Grade 0-3 on left fore in circle on hard level ground. Grade 0-1 on right on hard level ground.

[calshoer]

He operates a Natural Balance Training Facility in our State.There is absolutely no connection with ANY training method (don't care what name it has) and the Natural Balance *shoeing* method or shoes. Zip.Zero. The second natural balance shoer that came (he is a student of the one who intially shod)- There is nothing here yet that says the FIRST one even has any training in the method. Patty, I will post the diary below but my primary horseshoer thinks that by placing the shoe over P3 (even though there supposedly is dead space in between the pad and P3 created by dental impression) we could see some changes in the coffin bone that were negative (by two vets) beforeThe key phrase here is "Supposedly is dead space ". There are very specific ways to insure there actually is dead space, and it is difficult to achieve in a steel NB shoe if the sole is at all flat. That is one reason the steel NB shoe is not promoted as the****utic shoe for some more serious lamenesses. EDSS was designed for that. The EDSS has a special pad system that INSURES sole relief over P3.
The steel NB shoe is not as relieved in that area as the aluminum or the EDSS. Any really trained NB farrier would recognize that. As well even if the farrier got relief over the tip of P3. He could have gotten pressure on the toe corners, (the pillars) if the trim was not EXACTLY right.
I also think, due to the history of the medial heel bruising,the blocks, the pinched frogs and the fact that the primary farrier wants to regrow heel, that there may have been a subtle heel deformity and consequence heel soreness issue here that has not yet been adequately addressed. Maybe even the primary issue that started the whole thing. (then exacerbated by an incorrect NB shoeing???) . Close up pictures of the bare feet as they are now could help with determining if the heels are an issue. If heel is run inward, under or the bars curled, growing them more is not the answer. Infact if they were deformed and not corrected with the recommended NB trim before the NB was applied, that is a reason the shoeing could have have failed. The wedges would have just crushed them in more. And suggests that I have digitals done again to be sure. He also states it will take approximately 6 months to grow his heels out. This horse has had two-reshoeings in the last 3 weeks. He can not go without shoes.

A. Could this be an issue?I would not try to reshoe him for while.The feet may have already been trimmed to the point that proper correction can not be made without more risk.He has to regrow something to work with. I would keep him in a soft environment and/ or a taped on pad/support system like we do for laminitis in the early stages. Blue Styrofoam, or high density purple podiatry foam, or Dr Reddens ultimates, or just good thick hoof wraps. But don't let the feet get too hydrated and soft. REAL Deep sand or shavings with the feet unwrapped every day for a while will help keep them dry. Just have patience and let them grow. B. Should I re-xray now and risk another shoeing job?I wouldn't. See above. 3. Is there any published data- CSU, Pullman-that relates to long term use of Natural Balance in soft tissue or Navicular instances? I know there was a study started in 01 or 02 using three different treatment methods however (and one was natural balance) I can not find the published results. Not that I know of yet. However Gene Ovnicek, myself, as wel as many other experienced NB farriers have seen consistant clinical as well as diagnostically visible(ultrasound etc) results in soft tissue healing with NB and EDSS when it is used correctly. The principles behind it are not anything exotic..its all well understood stuff with many parts derived from long-used the farrier treatments. I have seen many horses with literally years of soft tissue lameness to the point they hadn't been rideable much if at all for years, go on to get sound again and back to showing, some at fairly high levels once the feet got straightened out. And sadly a lot of these had been in the long term care of very expensive veterinarians using the latest in high tech diagnostics and treatments. But seemingly small but very critical hoof deformities and internal misalignments had been missed or ignored. Its amazing what one little curled smashed bar can do to a horse.
The shoeing has to be put on right. Its a lot in the trim. Miss one important but small thing in the hoof prep or shoeing and the whole process may not work. If you have any suggestions I would welcome them. I am very concerned and this horse is very dear to me and I would go to the ends of the earth to help him. At this point I just don't know how. I would recommend contacting Gene Ovnicek directly. He can consult with your vet, the NB farrier, whoever if their willing, to help your team use the NB (or EDSS which it sounds like may be called for here) in the proper manner to get the best results. He's always willing to help when he's available. Call the folks at EDSS. The number is 719 372 7463, weekdays mountain time, and see if you can set up a consult and send him copies of the Xrays and pics of the feet.

[Grippin&Rippen]

Just a thought...has your horse been sick? Something that would have given him a fever? Possibly neurological? I'm a little worried about the toe dragging.

[jktwomoon]

To Grippin&Rippen:
No, he's not been sick a day since we have had him, just this. He is going to a massage therapist tomorrow. He seems somewhat sore in his shoulders. I am hoping that this deal is just associated with pain from the lameness. I wonder if it could be that he has been trying to compensate with his back end to relieve weight bearing in his front.

To Patty (Pattys quotes in blue):

There is absolutely no connection with ANY training method (don't care what name it has) and the Natural Balance *shoeing* method or shoes. Zip.Zero.

1. I should have communicated better. When I stated "Training Facility" I was not referring to Training as in horse behavior. What I should have said was he operates a horseshoeing school with the primary curriculum focusing on the Natural Balance Shoeing Method.

There is nothing here yet that says the FIRST one even has any training in the method.

2. Both the first shoer and the second are listed on the Hope For Soundness website as having some form of natural balance training. Both of their names are bolded and yes I read the liability statements provided by the website.

Close up pictures of the bare feet as they are now could help with determining if the heels are an issue.

3. I will try to post pictures of his feet later tonight. However, he is not barefoot. He still has the shoes and ground off wedge pads that the second shoer placed on him.

I would not try to reshoe him for while.The feet may have already been trimmed to the point that proper correction can not be made without more risk.

4. I agree as does a third vet that I have consulted.

I would recommend contacting Gene Ovnicek directly.

5. I appreciate your help I really do. However, (no offense) I have had a really bad experience with this that is not getting better. It cost me $205.00 to get just his two front feet done with a bad outcome. This doesn't include the cost of any x-rays, vet care from 2-vets, vet supplies and reshoeing his back feet from my primary farrier. I can not imagine what it would cost me to get another consultation from someone who invented it who would tell me to try something different Natural Balance or EDSS related which may not have been appropriate for this horse in the beginning. For right now I am just trying to get as much different information I can to educate myself. I am at a standstill with him now. At this point there is nothing I can do but hope. If I take the shoes off again I risk creating other problems.

[JMPalmer]

To Grippin&Rippen:
I can not imagine what it would cost me to get another consultation from someone who invented it who would tell me to try something different Natural Balance or EDSS related which may not have been appropriate for this horse in the beginning.

I've had several consults with Gene or one of his sons. They charge zilch, zippo, nadda. A more friendly and helpful group of people I've not encountered. They really care about helping owners and horses, as does Patty Stiller. I suggest you or your farrier give them a call.

Jan

[jktwomoon]

This website is minimal on bit upload so I posted them to another website. If you put the address below in your browser you should be able to see all the photos.

http://s100.photobucket.com/albums/m36/jktwomoon/

[Tom Stovall, CJF]

jktwomoon in gray

This website is minimal on bit upload so I posted them to another website. If you put the address below in your browser you should be able to see all the photos.

http://s100.photobucket.com/albums/m36/jktwomoon/


I can't tell squat from the photos; however, while a visible digital pulse in a hot horse is normal, a visible digital pulse in a cold horse is ALWAYS cause for alarm because it's a symptom of impaired circulation within the hoof capsule. A digital pulse in a cold horse is usually indicative of a laminetic episode.

Lateral radiographs would be most helpful: Any chance of your posting them?

Is the dorsal surface of his coronary band concave or convex? Can you feel a lip at the proximal/dorsal surface of the hoof capsule?

Based on his case history, if he were mine, I'd pull the shoes and keep him on construction grade styrofoam until I got it sorted out.

Quite frankly, an on-again/off-again digital pulse scares the hell outa me.

[calshoer]

I thought he was now barefoot?? Do you have current pictures of the bare feet? Especially the soles, taken close up with the camera directed exactly at perpendicular to the sole surface. (if taken at an angle they dont help) That will show the sole ratios and heel /bar confornmation.
And ditto Tom on everything else.
I think there is some unerlying problem here with the feet that has either not been diagnosed or addressed adequately yet. And like I said, simple Steel NB and a pad and are not always the adequate to treat some pathologies. It may takes more like EDSS to be adequately the****utic. Depends on what the problem is.
And Gene and his sons do consults FREE.
They would be especially interested if someone who is teaching NB is having an issue with a case,to help sort it out. Believe me if anyone can help, its Gene.
Also can you get one pic of the whole horse standing relaxed to see body stance and type ?
Patty

[jktwomoon]

I've decided to take the horse for an MRI at a teaching hospital on the 16th.

[calshoer]

I also want to point out that those are NOT natural balance shoes in the pictures. They are some kind of rim shoe set sort of to NB protocols but not quite. It looks more like hind shoes on front feet. And judging from what I CAN see, the sole ratios are still not correct. In other words it leans toward NB principles, but not quite there.
Please let us know what the results of the MRI are. I am suspecting Impar ligament or deep digital flexor tendon problems, down deep, near or under the navicular bone. Just a hunch and wondering if I'm right.
Patty

[jktwomoon]

Here's just a brief summary. I took the horse for the MRI. On the 16th after a thourough lameness eval and nerve block I was told that more than likely that my horse had suffered impar ligament or collateral ligament damage and was discouraged from doing the MRI. I was told he would basically be a nice pasture ornament and that if he did get better light pasture riding and light trail riding would be all he would ever do again. And that the MRI could be done but would not change the outcome. I was devastated. I went back to my motel room and called my vet and support system. After debate I decided to have the MRI done anyway. And lo and behold it was the best thing I ever did. The MRI was negative. There were no injuries to any ligaments or tendons. Final diagnosis, bad pastern axis alignment. Recommendation: Shoe pre-radiograph and correct alignment of p1, p2 and p3. I used my primary farrier and we have seen more progression in five days than I have seen since our ordeal began.

[Double C Forge]

I am glad that you are seemingly on your way to a good recovery. I don't know if the photos you posted are post x-ray or not but if so then with the diagnosis it only goes to prove that the farrier can only do w/in his or her best judgement for alignment w/out proper x-rays for perfect hoof/pastern axis alignment. Thank you for not being a cheap skate horseowner who expects your farrier to perform sheer miracles working on something that can't be seen or felt. I wish you very good luck w/ your horse.

[Donald Ruff]

Hope things continue on the up and up for you. Can you post some pictures of his current shoeing.

Don

[mwmyersdvm]

This horse sounds a great deal more like a low grade chronic laminitis that is being continually inflamed with inappropriate shoeing.
I have had my best results with stubborn lameness cases with roller motion shoes. These MUST be applied correctly with radiographic guidance for best effect.
Considering the length of time this has gone unabated, it will likely require considerable time to recover when the correct diagnosis and therapy is instituted. Dr. Rooney disagrees with impar ligament injuries as he has never seen them in the innumerable pathology dissections he has performed.

[balazsborbely]

This horse sounds a great deal more like a low grade chronic laminitis that is being continually inflamed with inappropriate shoeing.
I have had my best results with stubborn lameness cases with roller motion shoes. These MUST be applied correctly with radiographic guidance for best effect.
.

Dr Myers, could you please very briefly outline your method of applying roller motion shoes using Xray-s. I am sure you already have done this million times, but I have not come across it.
Thx
BB.