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  Discussion on Jammed heel
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Member:
dustee

Posted on Saturday, Nov 21, 2009 - 1:08 pm:

My horse is an 11 year old QH mare with a LF club foot - who has always been sound. In a previous discussion, Dr. O suggested taking her shoes off for one or two times, because she had developed contracted heels. I did this on August 31, 2009. She was fine for five days, and then developed abscesses in her LF foot, to the degree that 2-1/2 bute a day barely touched the pain. Her digital pulse was not elevated, and it took a while to react to hoof testers. The vet did take Xrays and the abscess was in her toe. The farrier did not want to put a shoe on her at that time.
With soaking, wrapping, and bute she got to the point that we put a shoe on, and I began walking her for 10 minutes a day, increasing a minute a day as she felt ready to go on. I added short trots as she seemed to be able to handle it. I also purchased a pair of Old Mac G2's for her, which helped after the abscess opened up. I think this was co-incidental - the shoes off/ the abscesses appearing. I think I picked the worst time of year to take shoes off.
I felt in retrospect, that putting the shoes back on for now was necessary. I would love to transition her to bare feet, but I believe my major problem developed with TONS of rain - feet softened - then dried out - cracked soles - abscesses developed. Many of the horses at the farm where she is had the same problems. It has been ugly.
I had to go out of town for a few days last week, and when I came back, my mare was not sound. I thought part of it may have been because I had not been exercising her, and having her to stretching exercises, but it continued. I had the farrier out on Wednesday (3 days ago) and he trimmed her in behind, and put shoes on up front.
He told me she has a "jammed heel" in her left front. So, my question is - what does this mean, and what do I do about it? Does it correct on its own? Would it have developed by her not putting enough weight in the LF when she was in pain with her abscesses? Is this from the whole foot contracting from not enough weight on it for a period of time?
I did ride her yesterday and only in the walk for about 20 minutes, and she seemed OK - and able to handle it. I got on her today - and after 10 steps I got off. She was head noddin' lame at the walk.
Help!! Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated, especially from someone who has been there----done that!!! Thanks so much!!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Nov 21, 2009 - 6:21 pm:

Hello Dustylin,
Though you hear the term I do not know is meant by a "jammed heel". Perhaps a solar bruise at the heel or frog or perhaps bruised the bulb? You will have to ask him on this one.
DrO
Member:
dustee

Posted on Saturday, Nov 21, 2009 - 6:58 pm:

Wow!!! Now I'm in trouble. I did ask him, and I think he skipped over it on the way out the door. I guess I will have to call him...Thanks!!
Member:
paul303

Posted on Sunday, Nov 22, 2009 - 2:11 am:

Could it mean underrun, collapsed or contracted heel? Might all be a bit different in your vet's opinion.
Member:
scooter

Posted on Sunday, Nov 22, 2009 - 6:55 am:

I'm not sure but I thought a jammed heel was a high heel. If you look at the hairline it will be higher in the heel area. I can't remember the specifics, but I thought it had something to do the the cartilage being "jammed" up in the heel.
Member:
dustee

Posted on Sunday, Nov 22, 2009 - 7:46 am:

Diane - she has a club foot, so the heel is high. I am heading over to the farm, so I will try to make a bit more sense of it...Actually, I think the heel is a bit higher on the inside of the foot than the outside.
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