The Rood & Riddle Equine Podiatry unit posts a unique case each month on its social media pages in order to highlight how the combination of science with art can be used in the all-consuming effort to improve equine welfare. Reprinted with permission.
An approximately 10-year-old Percheron gelding presented with chronic right hind lameness stemming from recurrent abscesses and hoof instability. The owners had acquired this horse with hoof pathology already present in the hopes of improving his condition. He has since become a cherished member of their family.
The medial aspect of the hoof capsule was dystrophic with poorly organized and diseased horn complicated by significant attrition of the dorso-medial coffin bone. There was evidence of chronic abscessing along a dorsal vertical crack of the medial toe. The sheer size of the hoof capsule was a challenge for therapeutic shoeing choices. Initially, a hand made shoe with a welded heart bar plate was chosen to stabilize the hoof capsule and bolster central loading. Comfort was immediately well improved and the horse became much more active and bright at home.
Unfortunately, the shoe was pulled in his paddock at approximately three weeks. The compromised medial wall prevented the ability of resetting the steel shoe. The decision was made to place the hoof in a wall cast with a handmade aluminum shoe applied to the bottom for improved mechanics and wear protection. Again, the size of the hoof prevented a standard approach to this method. A fully encompassing wall cast that covers the bottom of the hoof requires many layers of fiberglass to prevent unwanted flexion and degradation. This layer along with orthopedic felt was made initially on a bench and allowed to cure before the perimeter of the cast was formed and glued onto the hoof. Comfort was restored and access was made on the dorsal crack for treatment of a mild abscess. The horse was placed into this set up for two cycles and the hoof wall integrity was improving nicely above the poor quality wall.
Just prior to the last shoeing, a worsening lameness was noted and found to be from an abscess formation of the lateral heel bulb. The hoof had collected-up in size enough to allow a heavily modified Sigafoos Series II shoe to be applied with a treatment plate over the lateral bar in case future access is needed.
Although prognosis remains guarded with the degree of bone disease present, currently, this horse's quality of life has been greatly improved. We are hopeful that once the old, poor quality hoof wall is grown out, being barefoot may once again be possible or at a minimum, allow a steel shoe for protection and stability.
The Rood & Riddle Equine Podiatry is a group of specialized veterinarians and farriers dedicated to proper hoof care of the horse. We specialize in therapeutic shoeing and management of all disease processes of the equine hoof in addition to maintaining the high demands of the athletic horse. You can follow the RREH Podiatry page on Facebook for more content like this.
The post Rood & Riddle Podiatry: Quality Of Life Improved For Percheron With Coffin Bone Disease appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
