Fused pastern joints-- shoeing/trimming ideas?

[DadSaidNotTo]

22-year-old QH mare had a wire fence injury several years ago, resulting in fusion of the left front pastern joint; she now has no ROM below the fetlock joint. She is currently servicably sound for light work (beginner lessons and very light longeing), but does "pegleg" around. Looking for ideas to help keep her comfortable and perhaps address the uneven, high-low gait pattern if possible. Photos are at http://s124.photobucket.com/albums/p...y%2027%202010/-- she was two weeks into the current shoeing cycle at the time photos were taken. Thanks!

[PerformanceHorseshoeing]

Seth, you get any pics?

[Jaye Perry]

Originally Posted by PerformanceHorseshoeing

Seth, you get any pics?

Got a couple when Seth sneaked up to '-Lanta' during the night:





BUT THE FEET CAME AROUND ANYWAY!

[Circle M Farrier Sevice]

[quote=Jaye Perry;203592]Got a couple when Seth sneaked up to '-Lanta' during the night:





QUOTE]



You better be glad thers is not 5 nail holes on each side!

[PerformanceHorseshoeing]

Geez Jaye only 4 nails!!! What happens when you drive 8 nails but the lat. heel nail won't go all the way down cuz that cold bangin closed up that hole and ain't got one of those fancy pritchels to open er back up?

[Jaye Perry]

Originally Posted by PerformanceHorseshoeing

Geez Jaye only 4 nails!!! What happens when you drive 8 nails but the lat. heel nail won't go all the way down cuz that cold bangin closed up that hole and ain't got one of those fancy pritchels to open er back up?

Looks like the "Real" Seth from another "PUBLIC FORUM WITH NO COPYRIGTH". We are hard on "pontiffs" here that expound their expertise; remember when NICK?:

[PerformanceHorseshoeing]

Originally Posted by Jaye Perry

Looks like the "Real" Seth from another "PUBLIC FORUM WITH NO COPYRIGTH". We are hard on "pontiffs" here that expound their expertise; remember when NICK?:

Surely this type "shoeing" doesn't fly around Palm Beach?

[brian robertson]

I dunno. I've always heard there is an Amish retirement community somewhere in Florida.

[Ray_Knightley]

Horses with that sort of damage will always grow the hoof that is Best for the Way they can get around ,the important Thing is to Read from those signs and find the Best angle and support that Horse is happy with.
Forget trying to Match the hooves in These cases it will Not work.
I would go for à Wide Web shoe rolled toe and take Care with which angle He is happy with .

[Dances with Hooves]

Originally Posted by Ray_Knightley

I would go for à Wide Web shoe rolled toe and take Care with which angle He is happy with .

Trim to sole plane these horses adapt and following the natural angle as ray suggests will make them happiest. Use or make a shoe that is half round in profile IOW omnidirectional breakover to ease stress on the joints that no longer articulate normally.

I like the EDSS PLR but lots of other options like the kerkhart roller abound. You can make your own out of half round stock.

[Rick Burten]

Originally Posted by ParkerFarrierService.com

The medial and lateral shots of the left front seem to show that the hoof is not in proper pastern axis.

Since the OP stated that the pastern joint(s?) has fused and has no range of motion, how are you going to accomplish that goal?

I would talk to your farrier about lowering her heels a bit to decrease the angle.

All things considered, what would that accomplish?

That aside, I too favor a half-round style shoe so long as the nail heads are either countersunk or at least flush with the ground surface of the shoe.

As for her 'pegging' around, that IMO, is not going to change.

[THamilton]

I second Rick's and George's advice. I have worked on a few of these. If you have no half round shoes available or not able to construct one; you can use a grinder to achieve something similar.

I also try to keep the point of breakover back to aide the limb in turning over.

Good Luck
Tony