Squashed Heels

Discussion in 'General Discussions' started by Susan Holden, Jun 5, 2012.

  1. Offline

    Eric Russell Active Member

    Likes Received:
    125
    Trophy Points:
    43
    I believe most horses trimmed down to the widest part of the frog are trimmed to low and set the foot up to crush heels. Especially when the toe is protected from wear 24/7.
  2. Offline

    Eric Russell Active Member

    Likes Received:
    125
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Generally horses who have nailing problems have a vertical sole depth problem which probably can be associated with a low angle problem.
  3. Offline

    Tom Bloomer Well-Known Member

    Likes Received:
    223
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Susan,

    What do you mean by "nailing problems?"

    Is it that the hoof doesn't hold nails or the horse doesn't like the concussion from nailing on a shoe?

    Also, you haven't given more details on the "navicular" problem.
  4. Offline

    Susan Holden Member

    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    8
    He was diagnosed about 5 years ago with crappy xrays. Followed up since then with another two sets of xrays and with a vet that knows what he's looking at
    in a foot. I'll direct link the most recent although they are about 2 years old now. Maybe time for another set. There was also a suggestion of possible pedal osteitis. Should mention also that I think he's a bit sugar sensitive. Hay thats a bit high or to much grass seems to exacerbate things. Keep his diet as even as possible because of this. He does not like nailing up even with slim nails and pre-drilled holes. We also tried screws but he tended to twist them off and no longer seemed happy in the wedge pad package. Was much happier in the boots but now there are issues coming up there to.

    There are 11 of these, see what you think. When we were at Jayes his vet could see what may have been a nav. cyst in the right foot, which has always been slightly worse.

    [IMG]
    [IMG]
    [IMG]
    [IMG]
    [IMG]
  5. Offline

    Susan Holden Member

    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    8
  6. Offline

    Susan Holden Member

    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    8
  7. Offline

    Eric Russell Active Member

    Likes Received:
    125
    Trophy Points:
    43
    He needs more than a wedge pad to help the feet. More like 10 degree wedge.
  8. Offline

    Tom Bloomer Well-Known Member

    Likes Received:
    223
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Alrighty then. I can't help you with that. :(

    So horse doesn't like concussion from nailing - usually a joint problem. Since you can't get a definitive diagnosis, you're sort of stuck with trial and error.

    If the soft support of the boot with pads ain't helping, maybe it's time to try something harder - like a heart bar shoe. They can be glued, but to try it out you could just duct tape the shoe on the foot and see how the horse walks. May have to adjust the frog plate to get the horse comfortable, but you'll pick up a lot of load bearing from the frog - which will take some of the weight off the wall and allow the foot to gain some vertical depth.

    Heart bars either work really well or they suck goobers. The horse will let you know wither way.
  9. Offline

    Travis Morgan Copenhagen. You can see it in my smile!

    Likes Received:
    14
    Trophy Points:
    18
    I've never heard of that diagnosis. Can a horse actually die of crappy X rays, or does it just make them lame?
    • Like Like x 1
    • Funny Funny x 1
    • List
  10. Offline

    Tom Bloomer Well-Known Member

    Likes Received:
    223
    Trophy Points:
    63
    If you can find one. ;) That's about an inch of heel lift on a size 1 foot. Tape it to the foot and see how the horse likes it. Yea.
  11. Offline

    Susan Holden Member

    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    8
    We have tried that once in the past, he wasn't to happy then but things change. Its a bit of a tough case, he seems to be able to handle frog pressure so maybe its worth another try.

    I'll try and get pics in the next couple of days, maybe that will spark some ideas.
  12. Offline

    Tom Bloomer Well-Known Member

    Likes Received:
    223
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Travis, haven't you ever seen a horse that glows in the dark? o_O
  13. Offline

    Susan Holden Member

    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    8
    lol Travis. Would make him easy to find if he glowed Tom, especially with how short the days are now.;)
  14. Offline

    Tom Bloomer Well-Known Member

    Likes Received:
    223
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Are you from down under?
  15. Offline

    Eric Russell Active Member

    Likes Received:
    125
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Yeah I know. The nailing is obviously an angle and sole depth problem not a frog pressure problem.
  16. Offline

    Tom Bloomer Well-Known Member

    Likes Received:
    223
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Maybe if the nails were radiated . . .
  17. Offline

    Christos Axis Member

    Likes Received:
    23
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Because we have attracted attention from other planets too, you know...:D
  18. Offline

    Tom Bloomer Well-Known Member

    Likes Received:
    223
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Well there aren't any other planets with horses that glow in the dark.
  19. Offline

    Kim Turner Master of my own domain

    Likes Received:
    70
    Trophy Points:
    48
    Obviously you haven't watched Avatar. Their horses have glowing stripes.
  20. Offline

    Travis Morgan Copenhagen. You can see it in my smile!

    Likes Received:
    14
    Trophy Points:
    18
    A glued on bar shoe sounds like a lot better option than that stupid boot.

Share This Page

Users Viewing Thread (Users: 0, Guests: 0)