Frog supports

[EasyRider]

Are rubber frog supports worthwhile (to be bandaged on)
http://www.equilife.co.uk/frogsupports.htm

Would they help a foundered horse with no frog as an emergency?
Do I need to get a special shoe made by the farrier to support eg. heart bar?
Thanks

[Ronald Aalders]

If you are looking for a first aid kit for laminitis, use styrofoam blocks. Just frog support in my experience is not enough. You need arch support too. And although the styrofoam blocks can obviously not offer what specialized shoeing can, it's probably the best you can do as an owner when laminitis strikes.

Go to the EDSS website, they're posted there. You can also obtain instructions there. (Don't worry it's not complicated at all)

If you're looking for shoeing options when laminitis strikes, go to the farriers helping farriers with laminitis on this board.

And if you're interested in my personal view about heartbars and laminitis, forget about them.



Ronald Aalders

[Phil Armitage]

I would think these frog supports would be handy in an emergency and they look easy to apply. Some Vets use what is called Lilly pads they tape them on in the early stage of laminitis. The best method is styrofoam, it is difficult to apply but they work the best. Direct pressure only on the frog can be a problem, the styro foam method allows the foot to share the load with the heels, bars, sole and frog. It also allows the horse to compress the foam block to an angle that is more comfortable for the horse. Information on foam blocks can be found on the Natural Balance Web site or Dr. Steven O'Grady's web site.

[EasyRider]

Thank you Ronald and Phil for replying so soon with some information for me.