7 Secrets to Prevent Laminitis Returning

What Is a Healthy Hoof?

Ask 10 people what a healthy hoof should look like, and you'll likely get 10 different answers. And those answers will likely include general statements like "proper toe angle," "enough heel," or "plenty of foot mass."

Some Equine Specialists have long recommended that horses' front feet be radiographed (X-rayed) annually, regardless of whether they are lame or not.

The goal of this is to look at it from the perspective of prevention rather than treatment. Measurements are taken and compared against the horse's previous measurements to identify any significant changes that can lead to problems.

These annual radiographs, along with horses' work histories, can provide owners with a great deal of information on sound feet. They can be used to discuss the value of several generally accepted characteristics of "good" feet and how closely sound horses' feet can match them.

Veterinarians and farriers need to educate owners about the value of proper foot conformation and the consequences of bad conformation.  We have to look at the horse and his feet. When his measurements change over time that is very good information to know. And having an unhealthy-looking foot can even end up as a life-threatening situation. It is a disease in itself.

Laminitis Lessons: What Not to Do

For many of us dealing with Laminitis we have made mistakes, however these mistakes are often not discussed and this is a shame.  We can all learn from these, horse owners, vets and farriers all need to work together along with scientists and nutritionists so we can produce some results to solve the Laminitis mystery.  Ignorance need not be the reason millions of horses worldwide suffers the pain of laminitis.

There are seven common causes of treatment failure:

• No plan Create a plan with your team of qualified equine health professionals is essential to the long term successful management.
• Available skill The case exceeds the skill level currently available (of the veterinarian, farrier, and/or owner).
• Finances Many horse people will tell you money is no object when it comes to caring for their horses, but let's face it, it is an object.
• Lack of owner compliance with care/ aftercare The horse owner who does not heed the advice given by their Vet is not only frustrating but also down right cruel.  Ignorant owners saying  'He was fine when I rode him yesterday' - against the vets instructions really destroy all hope of a full recovery.
• Owner influence during treatment Horse owners need to respect the qualified equine professional.  Heeding the advice of your neighbour's friend that once had a horse that could have had this problem is no substitute.  So why do so many of us think this advice is so valid?  We are paying for this advise so we better use it!
• Too many chiefs and not enough Indians If you don't have someone in charge to make the plan, and people around to work the plan, you set yourself up for failure.  Remember your vets will advice you of the plan - your job is to follow it.  Then discuss the plan and reset it in conjunction with you farrier, vet, and nutritionist.
• Poor communication with client and farrier Farriers and vets need to be forthright and honest.  Speaking in common language, not veterinary terminology is essential to be understood!  If your farrier or vet is speaking in a language you don't fully understand - then you must speak up for the good of your horse.

Self-Adjusting Palmar Angles for Healing Hooves

In order to stimulate healing and encourage hoof growth some Equine Vets reccomend special curved shoes that help the horse adjust its foot to the most comfortable angle (or palmar angle). These shoes are called banana shoes, rock and roll shoes, or full-motion rocker shoes that let the horse stand with his feet at whatever angle is most comfortable. This will be the angle that relieves the most pressure on damaged areas, allowing them to rest and heal.

Additionally, the nature of the curved shoe means the horse's hoof and bone angles will change as he shifts his weight, even if his feet never leave the ground. As the horse's weight and his body shifts, the blood supply within the foot is continually altered and massaged.

The ability to adjust the palmar angle while standing still sets the mechanical advantage of this shoe well above those that do not influence the static palmar angle.

It is noted that these shoes can help horses with thin soles and walls, underrun heels, white line disease, chronic laminitis, and full-thickness toe cracks.

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