This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Diseases of the Hoof » Founder & Laminitis » Founder & Laminitis an Overview »
  Discussion on Advice on rotation
Author Message
Member:
chiptwh

Posted on Monday, Sep 16, 2013 - 7:30 pm:

Hi, today my 13 yo gelding was lame in both front feet. I have owned him for 8 years and he has not ever been lame. I actually called two vets and my farrier. The first vet wasn't too concerned. My gelding has thrush in both front feet. The farrier felt the same, that it was a thrush problem but would wait to see what the x-rays showed. The horse is due for trimming and a reset this week so his feet are overgrown. The second vet came out and took x-rays. Even I could see problems. The vet recommended a good trimming by cutting back the toe and taking off the heel. That makes sense since it seems that may be part of his thrush problems too. But the x-rays scare me, there seems to be considerable rotation. The vet said the prognosis was good and we should be able to make him sound with proper trimming. She didn't think it was diet related. Does he still have enough sole? Just wondering if that looks possible from the x-rays? first pic is left front and then right front Left frontRight front
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 17, 2013 - 8:52 pm:

Hello Kimberely,
The objective should be to realign the coffin bone with the pastern bones and to create a more normal shaped hoof capsule with respect to the coffin bone.

Though I would not pretend to be able to answer these questions from the limited amount of information a single set of radiographs gives, I believe the radiographs are supportive that there is enough heel to begin realigning the coffin bone...if done properly. And there appears to be plenty of toe flare that needs to come out to help with reshaping the capsule to a more normal relationship with the coffin bone. For a detailed discussion of a hooves like this with recommendations see HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Diseases of the Hoof » Founder & Laminitis » Rehabilitation and Derotation of Foundered Horses.
DrO
Member:
chiptwh

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 18, 2013 - 5:28 pm:

Thanks Dr.O,
It's a difficult realization that I am to blame for this. I have left his toes a little long. He is gaited and is smoother with a little toe; also he is a stomper and seems to break off toe all the time so I have kept the toe a little long and had shoes on him but I never realized how much heel he grew at the same time. Looking at the x-rays and his hooves makes so much sense, as does the thrush. So this is my wake up call. I have attached pictures of a first trim. I still think we need to take some more toe off and roll it but I know this will be a long term process. I hope we can get it right and he has many happy years to come.Left frontRight front
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC