My "Navicular" Mare that FOUNDERED! Watch the
transformation from excruciating pain to corrective trimming techniques
that restore comfort, performance and self-carriage and engagement.
Note the video- ten-meter circle serpentines with flying lead changes.
This
mare has little digital cushion left, navicular bone lesions, but
corrective trimming has alleviated all inflammation and she is happy to
work, is forward and free spirited. Last fall we completed a hunter
pace with 45 jumps across a 2.5 hr. cross-country trek. Photo below,
she is wearing "casts" and shoes to stabilize her hoof capsules during
her cross country/ jumping adventure until complete hoof growth cycle
(HGC) coronary band to ground bearing surface is acheived with strong
connected laminae attaching coffin bone to wall. Casts are limited use
assists- extended use can cause heel pinching and circulation
compromise in the caudal part of the foot from lack of
flexion.
Nolan Hoof Plates:
In
November 2008, we further stabilized her hoof capsule with
Nolan
Hoof Plates. This provided the fastest rate of tight new
growout connection I have seen to date of any assists I have
used.
Combination
of using boot assist, barefoot and therapeutic shoeing to sustain
sufficient hoof capsule depth for certain concussive activities keeps
her sound year round. She has been restored to barefoot full
time
since January of 2009. I would not hesitate in an instance to throw
shoes on her for a particularly concussive and hard surface workout,
only to remove them directly afterwards. The TRIM is key and
bottom line essential- regardless of what external assist you
choose to use to enhance comfort and preserve hoof
mass. Barefoot allows me to make corrections every
14 days which greatly aids her comfort level due to her poor quality
digital cushions which constantly need optimal foot mechanics to keep
her sound and productive. 5 week cycles is not an option with her
because of her compromised supporting structures. But
the extra effort is well worth it as she
brings pleasure back to you 100 fold with her keen
desire to love life and give back.
VIDEOS:
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=36887867
Photo
of donkey "Snorkles". Snorkles came to our farm
with severe
founder all four feet. Her RF fetlock was dropped onto the ground.
My then- farrier, now retired, made a galant effort to
correct
her but she constantly sequestraed (abscessed) and the laminae simply
would not connect. Her founder is so severe, that there is
permanent circualation damage preventing good connection with
new
hoof wall growth. I could not acheive wall connection with
the
traditional wall relief/mustang roll and ease of breakover.
Here's what I did. I used the principals of Dr. Ric Reddens
"roller shoe" or "banana shoe" principal- without using a
shoe-
and under the mentorship of Dr. Myers, I trimmed a roll directly into
the hoof/sole so that the hoof looked like a rocking chair rail- which
allowed Snorkles to get off the caudal part of her foot, as if she had
an invisible 20 degree wedge pad (what we call an "air"
wedge).
Snorkles then rolled up onto her toe which was rasped back
and
rolled past her separated white line. She picked the
angle
on her own that completely aligned her phalangeal bones and brought her
immediate comfort. Stopped the inflammation in its tracks.
Raising the heels to this degree also greatly relieved the pull of the
DDFT on her dorsal wall of her coffin bone, FINALLY- this
combo
allowed new laminae connection to grow down from the coronary
band
and maintain its integrity, hence the healing process
began. This
immediately stopped further laminae tearing- evidenced by the cessation
of sequestrae activity in the foot. Finally, the restorative
process was on its way. Today she romps around, flat out
gallops
with the horses, frolicks and plays, infact: she is a bit of a
nuisance, constantly breaking house rules and challenging the horses to
play all day long. Her trimming program works in combination
with
a stringent nutritional plan. - Restricting her carbohydrate
intake using a muzzle and supplying her with a balanced diet
of
sufficient protein, vit/mineral and
essentail amino
acid supplementation.
TRIMMING LAMINITIC HOOVES-
PHOTO SERIES
