Posted by Rick Burten on October 26, 2001 at 18:52:20:
In Reply to: Re: Fractured coffin bone posted by Patty Stiller on October 25, 2001 at 20:33:07:
: : My 5 yr old TB gelding fractured his right hind coffin bone 8/22/01. He was on stall rest and betadine soaks to try to treat a possible abcessation. on October 1, the fractured pieces came out through a hole on the sole of the foot. He developed a sub-solar abcess, the frog was dead and just peeled away. We are trying to maintain the sole that is left until we get good, healthy tissue underneath. And we are treating the hole on the bottom of the foot. I need something that will protect the sole, maintain the wall of the hoof and try to keep it from breaking away, while still allowing access to the bottom of the foot. Right now I am keeping the foot wrapped to keep it clean and try. My vet wants to put on a shoe and I am reluctant. Is there anything that will meet all these needs?
: You need a shoe with a "hospital plate". That is a solid metal plate that bolts to the bottom of the shoe. It is relativelty easy to build. The farrier makes or shapes the shoe to fit the foot,including clips if needed, and then drills and taps 4 holes for the bolts. One hole in each corner of the shoe. 5/16" bolts with coarse threads work well.
: A metal plate is cut the same shape as the shoe and holes drilled to match the tapped holes in the shoe.
: The plate is bolted on the bottom of the shoe after the shoe is nailed on the foot. It is easily removed with a socket wrench to change the medication on the sole, and then bolted back on easily. The aluminum 'P3 fracture plates' from EDSS are great material for this purpose as they are fairly thick aluminum material.cut easilt with a sabre saw or a coping saw, and don;t bend. They are really designed to be nailed on between the shoe and foot, but I have used them as hospital plates in cases such as yours.
: When I have to use one in a 'removeable' manner like what you need I use a P3 plate a size larger than the EDSS shoe so I can have more solid area to drill the corner bolt holes. (because EDSS P3 plates have holes drilled in them already to match the nail holes in the EDSS shoes)
: Some farriers use "road sign" aluminum but I find that it bends too easily. Another option for plate material is the rigid "castle" plastic performance pads. It comes in two thicknesses, use the thicker one. EDSS may have a new plastic plate of similar material available soon.
: Be sure to seal up the rear of the foot, around the frog. A wrap or two of Elasticon tape works great.
: Hope this helps you some. Patty
The only thing I would add to Patty's excellent advise is that I prefer a bar shoe for hospital plate applications, especially when dealing with fractures of p-3. The shoe itself should have a minimum of three clips--toe and side/quarter to stabilize the whole package. Also, with properly fitted clips, you will only need four nails to secure the shoe, and you can use a light nail or a race nail and still keep everything in place.
Rick