Walked into a real winner my last place yesterday. A 24yr pony, foundered. It had been lame. I pulled the right front off, the horn wall was about 2mm shorter than the sole, so I took a thick leather pad, made a rim pad and shimmed the horn wall so I had clearance of the sole. Pony liked it. Left front I thought would be the same, until I lifted the hoof and looked at the sole. I pulled the shoe and found the horn wall about a good 12-15mm shorter than the sole. So resected the bad horn wall, set an open toed heartbar then vetteced the sides. Pony walked off with a smile on his face. I had to leave the toe open because there was still fluid draining from the area. Why the open toe - just felt right at the time.
It was like puddy, I put it in the sole area to keep the Vettec from seeping between the shoe and the hoof before it dried.
Mikel I like the idea of the vetec up the wall. I have always shied against this shoe but the vetec spreads the attachment loading well.
I stopped in the other day to see how the pony was doing. She brought him out and he was going just fine. If I had rubber joints, I'd reach round and pat myself on the back for this one.
I'd like to report this pony is doing well. The hoof wall has since grown down. I do have a heatbar shoe on and feel it will stay for some time as additional support is needed. Will post a pic next time I'm out to see it.
