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  Discussion on Egg Bar Shoes on The Hind Feet?
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Member:
Contilli

Posted on Saturday, Nov 13, 2004 - 8:17 pm:

My broodmare (only three foals) whom is 11, has DrOpped fetlocks in the hind end. I would not say that they are DrOpped drastically but it is noticeable. She seems to be uncomfortable – switching often from left to right while standing. Her severe windpuffs have calcified in her left hind. Her feet are otherwise normal shape and medial laterally fine. She has normal heel growth. My question is – will egg bar shoes on the hind end make her more comfortable? I understand that there is nothing to make her better but I would just like her comfortable.

Thank you.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Nov 14, 2004 - 9:39 am:

Yes I think Egg Bars would help support those weak fetlocks.
DrO
Member:
Lilly

Posted on Monday, Jun 6, 2005 - 4:36 pm:

I also have a horse who may benefit from Egg Bars. Sebastian was recently given to me by my dressage instructor. His rear pasterns are almost parallel to the ground. I ride him lightly at just walk or trot and NEVER canter. We ride in an arena with firm ground and some stone dust in parts, like the corners. My instructor has suggested aluminum Egg Bars with wedges. How do I know if he needs Egg Bars or Egg Bars with wedges or if he should stay barefoot. He does not have a problem with lameness. I just want to keep him happy and healthy and ridable for as long as possible. I am also debating ultrasounds to get a complete picture of what is going on inside his legs. I thought it might be nice to have a baseline reference should he get worse.
Another thing. I recently went to an Equine Extravaganza in VA and spoke to representatives from the Kentucky Horseshoing school. They absolutely freaked out when I mentioned putting wedge shoes on Sebastian. They basically said I was going to cripple him. Can you help me out here? I am just confused.
Member:
Hwood

Posted on Monday, Jun 6, 2005 - 5:57 pm:

Ann, is the horse post-legged? I know that a post-legged horse can often have suspensory issues as I have, on two occasions seen post-legged horses with fetlocks that DrOp way behind the heel. Wedges don't make sense in my mind because the pastern is all ready breaking over too far and the fetlock is falling behind the heel. When I picture wedges, it seems they will only make the heels higher and will cause the pasterns and fetlocks to have even more downward stress on them. I wonder if the higher heels will cause the weight to push more directly into the hoof rather than into the fetlock? Feet/leg problems are simultaneously fascinating and frustrating. Do you have photos you can post?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 7, 2005 - 7:25 am:

Hello All,
The reason they freaked out was that your problem is most likely a degenerative disease of the suspensory ligaments and heel wedges increase the stress on the ligaments, which may speed up the degeneration.

Now concerning the eggbars, they too cause a slight rise in stress on the suspensory however I have seen some of these horses that the weight got so bar behind the heel of the hoof that the toe elevated off the ground. When these horses are put in extended heels they showed better support by having the toe return to the ground. I am guessing with this conformation that the extra support behind allows a more normal foot function and that this is more important than the small amount of increase tension on the suspensory.
DrO
Member:
Lilly

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 7, 2005 - 7:21 pm:

Hi Holly Wood, no Sebastian is not post-legged.I spoke with my and Sebastian's vet, Dr. Crist,last night for a long time. He believes that Sebastian's problems were caused by an injury, that he seriously strained the ligaments or ruptured them. He offered suggestions to keep him comfortable including drugs, injections, cold compresses and shoes on his rear feet. He mentioned Adequan and Legand by name. He suggested that I try Egg Bar shoes to give the heels a little support. He also suggested shoes with heel extensions but said that there are drawbacks with the extensions. When I asked about ultrasounds he said that they are not necessary right now. I guess he is able to ascertain a lot of information simply by palpitating the legs. In the event that Sebastian goes lame then yes, ultrasounds might be necessary. I will try to post a picture of his legs tomorrow.

So right now my plan of attack is to have Sebastian wear his "regular" steel horseshoes on his rear feet and have my farrier, John, examine the wear on them after 6 weeks. If he seems happy and comfortable then I will leave him in regular shoes. John suggested that I try Sebastian in regular shoes first because they are cheaper than Egg Bar shoes. I am also giving Sebastian Cosequin for his joints and I am going to add in Senior Source supplement - eventually. I have bought the Source, I just have to start added it.

Sebastian is very good for my family and I am only planning on riding him lightly. When he can no longer carry me comfortably I will make him a companion horse and continue to spoil him until it is time to say goodbye. Thanks for the advice Dr.O. Ann.
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