Lameness from Thrush
It has been estimated by farriers doing intakes at mayor university Vet schools that 90% of the lame horses coming into the clinic for lameness treatment are lame solely due to thrush. Thrush is widely known by horse owners but I suspect that it does not get the respect it deserves for causing devastating lameness. Toe first landings, the precursor to navicular syndrome, are caused by sensitivity at the back of the foot because of a weak digital cushion, frog or fungal infection (thrush). The horse in the photos above had been living in a pasture for over a year. Thrush was so advanced in the central sulcus that fungus had actually penetrated into the sensitive tissues beneath the frog causing the horse to become dead lame and bleeding from all four hooves. After trimming away all of the necrotic tissue which involved removing 60% to 70% of the frog the hooves were soaked in Oxine activated by citric acid. A topical antibiotic, containing porcaine penicillin G and dihydrostreptomycin, was injected deep within the sulcus following the soaks. The owner followed up with three Oxine soak per week for 6 weeks until the wounds were healed.
Heel/Wall Separation
This is a new horse for a new client. Jake came with a full height open crack at his heel that extends all the way up to the coronary band and down under his heel buttess. I do not know if the crack was caused from an injury or laminitis. Rumor has it that Jake had a founder experience with his previous owner.
The question is: Can this injury be fixed at this late date and if it can, what is the best procedure?
Click on the photos to make them larger.
Wellsville Mountain ride
Recently we went on a ride to the Wellsville foot hills. We know that the trail is mixed rock and dirt, and that it is not too rough to require boots on the hind feet of our horses hooves. It was a good training ride for my little Arab Chianna because she does not get out nearly enough. The field we are standing in for this picture has grass so high she was actually eating as we were standing there taking in the view.
Pea Gravel Track
We believe that “as close to natural” husbandry is part of the art of keeping horses, that’s why we have provided a pea gravel track around a 3 acre pasture for them to live on. Hay is spread out randomly around the entire circumference of the track to encourage the horses to be constantly moving. At first moving forward to find a better bite of hay and later to find that last remaining pile. The width is somewhat of a squeeze to encourage forward movement and for more economical use of pea gravel. Pea gravel cleans and stimulates the wall and sole while providing a clean place to roll and a dry, malleable place to stand and articulate a toe downward to unload the navicular bone and slack the deep digital flexor tendon. Looking down the track the horses see a seemingly endless place to run forward. All six of our horse often can be seen racing around the track as fast as they can go. Tearing through the corners and sliding to a stop until the Alpha, Trigger, signals that it is time to practice one more time how to outrun a mountain lion. If you are interested in building your own track give me a call and I’ll answer any questions you may have.
Trade Tools
Often I am asked what tools are needed to start trimming so I decide to list and describe each of the tools I like to use. I will provide some links so more research can be done or for some items that are hard to find.
Relaxing above the tools is my 11 year old English Mastiff, Xena (goddess warrior). A dog like her would be impossible to find and she is priceless. Her job, of course, is to eat the trimmings.
Top Row: 1. Shoe Puller, 12″ diamond suitable. +-$50 http://www.centaurforge.com 2. Crease Nail Puller. 12″ diamond suitable. +-$50 3. Hoof Stand, Hoofjack, standard or mini. +-$175. 4. Hoof Stand. 5. Leather Apron. Gibbons. +-$240 http://www.gibbins.co.uk I recommend the style that wraps completely around your leg.
Bottom Row: 1. Gloves: Any style is good but they should be washable. 2 & 3. Rasps: I like Heller Legend but a SaveEdge is less agressive and easier to use for some. 4, 5, & 6. Nippers: G.E Nippers are the only brand I have found worth having. I use 12″ for foals, 14″ most of the time and half rounds for sole and frog trimming. +-$200 each. 7 & 8. Hoof knives: I use Hall loops knives. Other brands may be good but knives under $30 are usually poor quality. 8&9. Hoof Picks: Shown here are not “Ultimate Hoof Picks” but they are the best I have found. Get them from Valley Vet. 10,11,12,13: File and sharpening devices. Sharpen nippers with a flat bastard file. Sharpen knives with “Speedy Sharp” and chain saw file. Pete Ramey’s book “Tools of the Trade” is a great source of how to sharpen any farrier tool. 14. Wire Brush: Good for cleaning the bottom of the foot.
Star Boy’s Hoof Make Over
This photo was taken of Star Boy in November of 2009 after three months of following correct trimming, feeding and exercise practice. Star Boy was able to make such a dramatic recovery because his owner, Dr. Lyman Stevens, was 100% behind doing what it took to help his horse recover. He invested the time, money and interest that it took to understand the vicious cycle Star Boy was caught up in and he dedicated himself to making it all happen. Farriers and trimmers only interact with the horse/owner about once a month. What trimmers set up as a good deal for the horse is pointless unless owners make necessary dietary, husbandry and activity changes happen each and every day. Conversely trimmers and farriers that trim and go without discussing diet, husbandry and exercise as well as treat for thrush are really just doing half the job.
Star Boy
- This is Star Boy’s dorsal wall when I first met him in October, 2009. He had been caught in a cycle of seasonal laminitic separation. His lamina probably got just enough reattachment in the winter to keep him from completely foundering in the Spring.
This photo shows evidence of numerous laminitic episodes as illustrated by the bumps, rolls, flares along the exterior surface of the hoof wall. Star Boy was in constant pain and his owner was no longer able to ride him. Rehab protocol consisted of: - keeping his hoof walls passive to his sole.
- Trimming the laminitic wedge at the toe back to the inside edge of where the white line should be.
- Keeping him in Easyboot Rxs 24/7.
- Keeping him off pasture and feeding him grass hay with beet- pulp with flax and minerals.
- Installing pea gravel in the run.
- Providing daily exercise.
