Hoof Reading 2

The owner of this horse told me that they were reassured when the attending farrier told them that the horse did not have laminitis.

Only a vet is allowed to diagnose, but like you, I think the horse is a strongly laminitic case, particularly as part of the back story is that it has presented in founder stance.

Only vets are allowed to diagnose though and when a farrier says 'no laminitis' who can blame a less experienced owner for believing them?

Certainly not me, I spent years believing all sorts of things I now realise were completely and utterly wrong and worse.

Sadly I don't know what is going to happen to this horse, I just hope and pray he will get the help he needs.

On a separate note, I haven't commented on the individual photos, but there are some interesting points. Anyone care to have a stab?

Shining a light on laminitis?

First trim 2 weeks deshod 25 11 10

 

3rd trim 09 02 11

To give a little light and hope to all you horses and your carers who are suffering the misery of laminitis. 

The horse attached to this hoof had been very lame with laminitis and had been on box rest for many months. 

His 'Mum' had done everything as prescribed by vet and his award winning farrier except PTS.  He had one last option, which was to take his shoes off and try the barefoot approach. 

There are 11 weeks between the first and second photos; note how the sole has gone from flat (it was actually bulging) to the beginnings of concavity. The white line stretch is growing out and the heel buttresses are starting to bulk up and widen.

Just a few weeks post deshoeing and this little guy was leading the herd in a mad canter around a track system (aka Paddock Paradise).

 Now he is daily towing his Mum on hoof building walks out and about, every day for 20-30 minutes plus.  He could easily do more.

It doesn't bear thinking about what would have happened to this horse if his owner didn't have the courage to defy the vet and farrier and try something else for him.  Big hugs to them all.

And huge thank you's I know, from many who are thankful to these two for giving them hope and inspiration.

Lameness a case study - 8 weeks 6 days

This horse was deshod on 09 June 10.  You can see the foot with the shoe on in the first picture.  If you look at the first three side view photos you can see how the profile has changed.

The fourth photo shows the foot, partially cleaned, just after the shoe was taken off.  Look at the:

• stretch in the white line
• condition of the sole
• skinny, thrushy frog
• condition and placement of the heels
• general overall shape of the foot

Check these points out on photos 5 and 6.  Especially review the stretch of the white line.

What can not be shown in these photos are the following positive points:

• horse now marches on a level concrete surface as though on a mission
• heel first landing
• bright eyed and alert
• can stand to be trimmed on concrete (used to need a rubber mat)

Thank you to the carer of this horse for generously allowing us all to check their progress.  And thank you for caring enough to put in all the effort this transformation is taking.  I know it is tough - but you just 'Keep on swimming!' (Finding Nemo)

Laminitis - 'barefoot' v traditional approach

This foot is a mess and has obviously been treated traditionally, with shoes and a resection. It has: -

• contracted heels with very weak heel buttress
• no depth of collateral groove
• weak frog, probably thrushy
• very weak hoof wall
• thin sole with significant bruising
• resected toe (WLD/lami?)
• infected nail holes which appear to penetrate white line

If this hoof were still alive with the barefoot approach we would need to:

• improve the diet
• get rid of the thrush
• decontract the heel
• strengthen heel buttress
• grow a thicker sole
• grow out the infected nail holes and resected area
• stimulate the hoof within the horse's comfort zone (provide choice of comformable surfaces and opportunity to exercise)

The heel probably won't decontract successfully until the thrush is dealt with. Just that simple measure would bring the horse a lot of physical relief.

When he can weight his heel, the horse can start to use his feet properly. As the hooves decontract and start to be used the way nature intended the circulation will improve and with an appropriate diet the hooves should start to grow more quickly and in better form.

The horse can remain barefoot and be very comfortable if given access to a comformable surface. In the UK we use pea gravel a lot. I like to give horses a choice - pea gravel, sand, rubber mats. But not just a shavings bed.

The horse has to be give a chance to stimulate the foot, wobble it around in a surface that will mould but be relatively stable, and to achieve some self trimming.

He also needs a horse friend - not the youngster who wants to box and play, but someone he can socialise with, but who will respect the fact that he might not be up to a lot of fisticuffs immediately.

Relatively quickly - often within just a few days of changing the diet the horse can start to exercise - with the protection of boots with comfort pads if necessary.

Exercise is important - it stimulates the horse in hoof and mind - but their comfort must be maintained. Do not allow your horse to be forced to move when it hurts.

Below is a picture of a laminitic foot which is maintained successfully using the barefoot approach.

This horse is on a a strict diet and careful management programme. Thanks to this approach it not only lives; it thrives and is working and happy and is a complete credit to its owner. The trimming, although important, comes way down the list.

So before you put down your laminitic horse, consider the barefoot approach. But don't leave it too late.