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  Discussion on Pin Firing
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Posted on Wednesday, Feb 2, 2000 - 1:58 pm:

I'm interested in a horse for sale that has been "pin fired" about 6 years ago. He's a standardbred trotter. I cannot seem to find ANY information on what "pin firing" means and what the implications/significance of the fact is. Can someone please help me????? Thank you in advance!

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 2, 2000 - 2:28 pm:

Firing is the application of a heated metal instrument, usually referred to as an iron, to the skin, and in some instances to the deeper tissues as well. It has been practised for thousands of years.

It used to be used when all previous lines of treatment had failed. As horses normally heal their injured tissues by inflammation, the extra stimulus of firing was thought to bring about a recovery if the blood supply could not produce sufficient inflammation by itself to effect a cure. It is now illegal in this country, I'm pleased to say, and I imagine it is in most countries although the method will still have its proponents, I'm sure.

In point or pin firing, the point of the iron penetrates the whole thickness of the skin into the subcutaneous issue or tendon and, in the case of bony deposits, into the actual bone. The scar tissue thus formed hardens the area. All cases need rest after treatment, up to a year or more depending on the severity of the injury and whether the horse is required to do fast work.
Many vets have said that it is the rest that cures the horse, not the firing, and that the pain inflicted is therefore cruel and unnecessary.

I shall be most interested to read Dr. O's comments on this procedure.

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 2, 2000 - 5:40 pm:

Hello Audrey,
My source of information on firing is the text Adams' Lameness in Horses by Ted S. Stashak, the 4th edition. Pages 859-862. According to the text firing is the most severe form of counterirritation. There is no evidence to support its use prophylactically. It has been used after less radical procedures have failed and in areas that have a high incidence of problems (i.e., carpus, metacarpus, fetlock, and hock). It was one of the most misused therapeutic agents in veterinary medicine. It was often used on normal tissue and for conditions that it was contraindicated. The alleged reasons for the use of the firing was the ability to increase healing, calcium resorption, production of scar tissue to support the region, local desensitization, and the speeding up of the arthrodesis of the small joints within the hock.
Alexa is right about the rest after the procedure and it has been stated many times that the enforced rest after the treatment was probably the most beneficial aspect. The types of conditions for which it was used are the following: 1. soft tissue damage, especially around joints, ligaments, and tendons. 2. Carpitis (popped knee) 3. Chronic arthritis 4.Osselets 5. Tendosynovitis and tendinitis
6. Sesamoiditis 7. Bone Spavin 8. Splints and 9. Doral metacarpal disease (bucked shins)
The different procedures used called point and line firing are both described fully in the text.
I hope this information has been helpful and I for one as a veterinarian never used the procedure because I saw no benefit other than the forced rest afterwards and I could get clients to rest their horse without subjecting their animal to the above procedure. I look forward to Dr. O's comments as well. Sincerely, Dr. Woodworth

Posted on Wednesday, Feb 2, 2000 - 6:21 pm:

I used to ride a retired TB race horse that had had a career as an open jumper and then was remade into a lower level dressage horse.

This old trooper had been pin fired somewhere in his colorful past, but was going strong and showing in dressage as an 18 yo when I was riding him.

So, it is quite possible the horse you are looking at is "over" whatever he was pin-fired for. Depending on where the scars are and the asking price, it may be worth a radiograph or two when you have him vet checked.

The other thing to consider is what has he been doing lately. If he has been in steady work doing the type of riding that interests you without ill effects, then the pin-firing may only be of historical note. If he's been out of steady work that matches your purpose for him, a more thorough vetting may be in order.

Good luck sorting it out.

Posted on Thursday, Feb 3, 2000 - 2:12 pm:

Hello All,
I think everyones comments are great. Thanks for the help. You will find many horses off the track that seem fine that have been pin fired, particularly on the front of the cannons for bucked shins. The significance in the horse you are looking at would depend on the area fired: it may be indicative of a previous problem in that area.
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Feb 3, 2000 - 2:51 pm:

Thanks to everyone who took the time to research and reply. It is very much appreciated!!!! I just KNEW someone here would know. None of the equestrian websites had any information that I could find.

Thanks again!

audrey macri
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