Q & A with The Vet

Can't Save Them All

Dear Doctor,

I transmit the photos of the foot of this lamatic horse.  I would like to ask council on how to deal with it.  I cannot use drugs because it has given birth (approximately 40 days old). Currently as it is looked at on the photo has an abscess that I’m dealing with water baths and salt.  I hope for an answer

Thank you

F in

Italy

Hello,

After looking at the photos of your mare, it looks as if her hooves are close to coming apart (the hoof capsules are coming off), so I don't believe you will have much success with my advising you on the trimming.  It is "too late" in other words.  This has been going on for months to years, and now it is too late to try and make a good result for her.  If she were my horse I would probably not attempt further treatment, or perhaps I would try a hospital or clinic where she could have daily care.  This is not a trimming problem anymore, it is a whole horse/whole health problem that needs intensive care, or perhaps it would be best to euthanize the mare.

Dr. Tom T.

Foundered Horse

Hi, I thought you might be able to help me….

My horse foundered about a year or so ago maybe a little more.  She was not mine at the time but I do know some about what happened.  Right after it happened she was given bute for a week to ease the pain and her feet were soaked about 2 times a day in ice cold water.  A neighbor, who had previously had a founder problem with her horse, would occasionally come and tape a pad made of thick foam to her feet.  This seemed to make her a bit more comfortable but the pads did not last long (they got flat after a short time) and it was not done completely consistent.  After a while she seemed comfortable again so nothing really was done to correct her feet (the coffin bone had rotated down - obviously as a result of foundering).  Over time they started to look a little unlike a normal hoof (not really terrible looking but definitely not normal). The farrier said that she would roll the toe because that would help her feet.  So that was done and now her feet, after about a year or so, finally look almost if not normal from the top.  The bottom is still a flat sole though.  How do I know if the coffin bone is again parallel to the ground as it should be?  Is there something that should be done to make it so she doesn’t have a flat sole anymore?

I just want to make sure everything is right with my girl.  I love her so much and she deserves the best and what is right.  I want to prevent more rotation in the future and make sure her hoof is as normal as possible.  Please tell me all you can about what to do! I hope I explained it ok.  I’m sorry if it is hard to understand.  Just make of it what you can and any information would be very helpful and so much appreciated. Thanks so much for you time!  I hope to hear back from you soon!

M

Hi M,

Best advice I can give you is to read like mad about founder on the internet.  Do a search for "barefoot founder" and you'll get LOTS of good stuff to read.

The flatness of the sole will improve over time if the coffin bone isn't too badly damaged.  If you have a veterinarian take x-rays of the hooves you can tell the position and condition of the bones.  An experienced natural hoof care provider can also give you an accurate idea how the coffin bone position is doing.

Keep up the research,

Dr. Tom T.

Please Help! Horse with Navicular Syndrome

Hello,

I came across your wonderful website online.  I have a horse with navicular syndrome.  He was diagnosed about 6 months ago.  He is an 8 year old Quarter/Thoroughbred gelding.  He is used for Hunter Under Saddle and Western Pleasure.  Once he was diagnosed with navicular he was put on Isoxsuprine and we put him in an aluminum egg bar shoe that is raised in the heel.  I do not like giving him this medication as I know it is not good for him.  Is there anything you can recommend?  I know you believe in bare foot, this horse has Thoroughbred heels... not much heel.  If we were to trim him and leave him barefoot how would we get the pressure off the heel to relive the pain?  I would greatly appreciate any advice, or if you could please put me in contact with someone that can help.  I love this horse will all my heart, he truly means the world to me and I want to help him in any way I can.  Looking forward to speaking with someone soon.

Thank you for your time.

Best Regards,

M

Hi M,

It's troubling how many horses are prescribed isoxsuprine when it has been clinically proven to offer NO improvement in circulation in horses, whether they have navicular problems or not.

Also, the object is to actually get pressure ON the heel areas, but with COMFORT.  This is accomplished with special pads inside boots which you can see at EasyCare Inc. Also, it’s very important to read Pete Ramey's website.  All the articles there are very good! Keep researching. You're on the right track!

Take care,

Dr. Tom T.

Navicular Horse

Dear Dr. Teskey,

I live in Westchester County in NY and I was researching treatments for my horse who has navicular.  He is a 14yr old Quarter Horse gelding and I’ve had him for about 8 years. I found out he had navicular when he was about 9yrs old and the vets put him on bute and isoxsuprine.  Well as years went on I saw that the isox wasn’t helping and he developed edema from the bute which he was on for about 4yrs.  About 3 weeks ago a vet came to look at my horse since his lameness was considerably worse and he said he had laminitis and Equine Metabolic Syndrome on top of the navicular.  I feel as if I've come to a dead end with him and I can’t do anything to get him out of pain.  The vet said that if the laminitis got better then we could think about nerving him to help the navicular.  After reading the article you wrote about side effects and how he could need it again in possibly 2-3yrs, I don’t know what to do.  I love this horse with all my heart and soul.  I will do anything to get him to be comfortable and not be in pain anymore.  I know that it probably will never happen but I hope you can help me with some advice as to what I should do.

Sincerely,

N

Dear N,

Certainly it's "late in the game" to be doing things differently with your horse, but I still think it's worth it for you to get someone to help you and him with a natural hoof care approach.  Read the   Hoof Rehab website to start with. Get some appropriately sized hoof boots and pads from EasyCare and get someone from your area to help you if needed.  Certainly there will be lots of damage in the hooves from the previous shoeing and drug use, but horses can recover from these things pretty well if given time.  It may take several months to years since he's been mismanaged for so long.  Keep in mind that the veterinarians and farriers have just been doing what they thought was best, even though it was wrong for the horse.  Everyone gets educated in situations like this, and the horse is along for the ride, probably wondering "I'm glad someone finally realized I just needed my hooves kept the way they are.  Without the crazy contraptions of steel and nails and the drugs that don't work."

You're on the right track.  Keep up your research.  Attend workshops on natural hoof care.  Get some books on the subject.  Keep your chin up.

Dr. Tom T.

Foundered Horse in Oregon

Dear Dr. Tom:

I am an animal control officer in Oregon, and I am trying to determine what treatment is required (i.e. what treatment best provides for the health and well-being of the animal) for a horse which has foundered.  In this case the horse foundered about a year ago. The hooves have not been trimmed and they are now about a  foot long and curving up.  My horse owner says that the inflammation is now gone and that it won’t really do the horse any good to trim these hooves, that it is only to keep concerned do-gooders happy.  This doesn’t seem to make sense to me.  Wouldn’t the horse be more pain free and have fewer future problems with bones, etc., if something corrective is done?  Thanks for any help.

RW

Hi RW,

Sounds like you've run across some genuine ignorance there in Oregon, with whomever thinks it will do no good to trim those deformed hooves.  How intriguing.  Absolutely, the horse will be so much happier and healthier with some simple, common sense hoof care.

Anyhow, I would encourage you to get a hold of Cheryl Henderson of ABC Hoof Care in Oregon.   You're on the right track, and getting Cheryl or someone closer to you to get you going in the right direction will get your horse going great.

Take care,

Dr. TT

Sore footed horse walks comfortably with Easyboot Epics and EasyCare Comfort Pads

FREEDOM FOR THE FEET : Stepping out of steel shoes in style

We are intertwined, heart, mind and soul with these animals.

They perform for us with a work ethic rarely seen in human circles, and become capable of so much more when we allow their feet to function properly.

Click here to read the rest of this article by Dr. Teskey.

Ringbone

I am thinking of buying a horse but they said he has Ringbone. I am not sure what that is!  Would you recommend staying away from it or is it something you can work with and they are fine?

Hi Jamie,

 

"Ringbone" is a term used to describe bone formation in and/or around the pastern joint.  It is most commonly caused by trauma to this area, either by direct insult (wire cuts, sprains/strains) or indirect insult (concussion, shoeing, hoof imbalance, conformational faults).  It is often further classified as "high" or "low" ringbone depending on its location.

 

It is a serious problem but can often be managed successfully.  My best successes have come from removing the metal shoes and developing a nicer hoof... and keeping the horse moving.  This means growing a hoof that is strong and does it's rightful job dealing with torque and concussion for the horse, instead of passing it off to the pastern and other joints.  Often times, using a hoof boot, with or without an inserted pad, does wonders for comforting a horse with ringbone, making them very useful for trail riding and even lower level competitive sports.

 

I and others have been able to reduce the bone formation and inflammation in many of these horses through some of these simple changes in management, but a complete cure has not been the rule.  If the horse in question moves fairly well on softer ground and/or in boots, they are most often good candidates for working with and rehabilitation... I've had several very lame horses make drastic improvements beyond my expectations... and some that did not improve much at all.

 

Dr. Tom T.

Mini's with Laminitis

Hey Dr Tom,

I have two mini's- mother and daughter later was born here. Mother was a rescue turned out to be PG. Mother seems to have mental issues both are lame, baby (4years) was diagnosed with laminitis.  Mother walks like wooden soldier (stiff legged) both have been in barn all summer. Appetites are good and no fever, (feed is Grass hay and no grain) any ideas what could be problem or how to treat???? I know this difficult, but I am at the end of my $.
Thanks,

Bob W

Hi Bob,

Without seeing your horses it's impossible to say for sure, but from lots of experience with miniature horses, I can tell you that laminitis and founder are very common, and this is most likely the problem you have given your description of the situation.

This is a problem with overall management: housing, diet and exercise.

I would recommend you find someone who would be interested in adopting them from you.  Someone who will be able to invest in their care and give them a better chance of surviving this ordeal.  It involves a lifetime of monitoring and management with these horses but is very rewarding getting them to heal.  Iit does take a lot of time and resources and professional help from someone familiar with natural hoof care.  Click here to find a list of trimmers.

Take care,

Dr. Tom T

Horse with Bone Cyst

Hello, I just found your site and will be coming back often. Thank you for all the info. I do have a question for you on the subject "navicular". Today I took my 7 yrs. gelding to a very reputable vet. He took x-ray upon x-ray to help me find out what is wrong with my gelding. He is favoring his right front for two months now. He has not been used since he has shown signs of lameness. I was hoping for a gravel or an abscess. But the vet found an old fracture that is completely healed and a bone cyst on his navicular bone and dry joints. The vet prescribed corrective shoeing (square the toe and raise the heal two degrees) and Cortho-flex rx100 (spelled wrong, sorry) for his joints. The vet says he is not navicular and all that should help him. If he is not navicular is there a way to eliminate the cyst? steroids? surgery? something? I want my gelding to be as comfortable as possible and as sound as possible. And don't cysts have a tendency to grow? I am hopeful that you can shed some light.

Thank you,

Heather

 

 

Hi Heather,

 

The cyst in the navicular bone is not likely to go away completely, but this is not the horse’s problem. The cyst represents the remnants of a fire gone by.  The “ashes” left over from a previous (and likely, ongoing) problem that you are seeing. If it changes, it will be due to the horse’s attempt to heal given what it has to work with. With lack of movement/shoeing/improper nutrition, the bone remodeling will become more sclerotic (hardened) in areas, and lytic (softened) in others, and the entire region will continue to degenerate. With more natural and appropriate care the entire area including the navicular bone will regain improved circulation and sensation, freedom of movement and better utility.

 

Steroid injections are damaging in the long run, and I would not use such treatment in a horse, as they simply mask symptoms, depress the immune system and are a dishonest way of attempting to cure a horse from previous injury or other tissue/joint problem.

 

Surgeries are also inappropriate, as they disrupt the horse’s attempt to heal normally, leaving scar tissue in their wake. Do we prefer to “force” a horse to heal, or simply “ask” them to do their best, providing them the basic ingredients they need? To heal from injury and/or previous mismanagement, a horse needs appropriate nutrition, at least one other horse with them and the largest amount of space possible.  That’s about it.  They don’t even need us to trim their hooves in the slightest IF they are allowed enough movement.  There are many, many professionals that simply can’t believe this to be true, as they have dedicated so much of their lives to learning medical and surgical techniques and have a lot “at stake” to MAKE these therapies work. Unfortunately, the horses were never consulted about what they really needed to honestly heal.  We too often FORCE healing instead of allowing it to occur with time and proper care. Humbling as it is to consider for many professionals, horses know how to heal better than we will ever know.  What they need from us are those basic ingredients once again: proper nutrition, herd life and space to move.

 

A “navicular” problem is a whole-horse problem. Focus on providing just the basic ingredients for your horse, not specific surgeries or drugs. Very simply, the horses know how to heal themselves with these basic ingredients.  They’ve been doing it LONG before we humans came on to the scene.  In fact, it was only after we came on to the scene that they began to have all these extra problems.  Think about it and make a conscious decision to allow your horse to heal.

 

Dr. Tom T.