Q: Our 12 year old paint mare has been diagnosed
with a severe case of sidebones. She is primarily used in barrels and
poles and has been lame on the left front more than the right. Our vet
advised us to put a shoe on that provided heel support, which we have
done. The farrier put on a shoe with a plate and an orthodic type of
material to cushion the heel. That didn't seem to help much. After
doing some research, I keept reading that in most cases the sidebones won't cause
lameness, but the vet assures me that this is the problem. She is 100%
after the front feet were blocked. Any suggestions on shoeing or other
things that we need to have checked?
A: When dealing with these
kinds of problems down low in the horse's legs, we have the best results by
improving the overall hoof form and function. These bony formations like
sidebone come about from shoeing and improper trimming and lack of proper
movement. By fixing the hoof in two dimensional space with steel
nailed-on shoes, the hoof can not flex and absorb concussion, nor do any of
it's normal functions adequately. Instead, areas around and above the hoof are
being forced to handle forces of concussion and torque, which they were not
designed to do. The result is an inevitable change in their health. In
this case the flexible cartilage turns to bone. This can be reversed to
some degree, often bringing the horse back to soundness. By restoring
normal hoof function, I have documented reduction in sidebone. One thing
seems sure, to continue using steel as "therapeutic" when they are
often to blame in the first place, is ill-advised. The problems become worse
and worse. There are many websites that discuss and demonstrate the sound
techniques of natural hoof care, and a few books as well. The use of hoof
boots when needed for hoof protection will always be complementary to a horse's
hooves, rather than damaging like steel shoes. Keep reading as much as
you can and find someone in your area familiar with these techniques.
Best wishes,
Dr. Tom T.
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