LAMINITIS.

Oy.  If you have ever dealt with this, you know what I mean. It is difficult to catch on time and if you don’t, it can be very difficult to heal and treat.  The horse is sore so he doesn’t want to pick up his foot.  The unsore feet become sore because of excess use.  To top that, Laminitis can become chronic.  Oy again.  And, sadly, Laminitis can be fatal if it turns into fully rotated Founder.  So, the term Laminitis should not be taken lightly.  It sends shivers through the barn…

Click for rotation animation

Now, I’m not going to go into Laminitis except to say that it is not Founder (here is a link).  Founder is when there is bone rotation or sinking.  Laminitis is the inflammation of the laminae.  You can have Laminitis without Founder.  But, you cannot have Founder without Laminitis.  Laminitis is a precursor to founder.

Here is are two little movies that show how rotation and sinking differ.  Click on the photos and they will animate.

Click for sinking animation

Anyway, those of you who have fought chronic Laminitis know how difficult and painful this is for your horse.  In order to get better, he has to feel relief.  But, how do you get him the relief without creating pressure?

The long often used fix is to tape a styrofoam or stiff foam pad on the hoof, bed the stall deeply, cut out all protein rich foods and wait.  Many times, if the Laminitis was caught really early, this worked.

But if you don’t catch it in time, there are some new shoeing products that are out there which have been getting rave reviews!

Have you heard of the EDSS system?

EDSS SYSTEM

EDSS stands for Equine Digital Support System.   If you look on the website, there seem to be a lot of pieces and it may appear complicated.  But, it isn’t complicated if you are a competent farrier.  Even a layman can understand the basics.  Here are the Cliff Notes.

1)  Have a great farrier work on your horse using these products.

2)  The idea is to avoid nails (concussion) by using screws or glue, if possible

3)  The pad/lifts and support systems are added to the bottom of the shoe so you don’t have to take the shoe off to change the pads or the angles!

Let me say that again so it has the full effect… THE PAD/LIFTS AND SUPPORT SYSTEMS ARE ADDED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SHOE SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO TAKE THE SHOE OFF TO CHANGE THE PADS!  Wowee!  This is the best thing since sliced bread!  That right there is the most awesome idea for sore hooves ever!  If you can apply a shoe ONCE and then change the supports at any time without more invasion, the horse is so much better off.  Yay Howdy!

I am a fan of this system because I know that my mare turned the corner when we used a hospital plate on her.  And this is far better than a hospital plate.  You see, the notion of not having to hammer on a sore foot to make a change is WONDERFUL.  And, you can make subtle changes much easier since you do not need to pull the shoe.  You just apply what you need to the outside.  So, less trauma, more healing.

The shoe can be glued on, screwed on or nailed on — whatever will work best for your horse.  And, if you don’t have any foot to nail, they have just created a plate that works for that, too!

Cuff shoe for when there is no wall

I’m so thrilled that these farriers and doctors who created EDSS have joined together to invent these systems that ease hoof pain.

STEWARD CLOGS

I had never heard of these.  Then, my friend told me how her horse, Angel (the same one who had the HBOT experience), due to an acute illness has been fighting chronic laminits for years and the STEWARD CLOG has been the answer.  Bar none, the Steward Clog has saved her horse.  You can watch Angel’s story here.  As you can see, her laminitis was bad.  Very bad.  Angel now wears the Clogs and is happily pastured with her buddies.  Unbelievable if you’ve ever gone through chronic laminitis…

The Clog has actually brought the rotation back to 0 degrees.

First though, you need a wonderful farrier to apply these (here is an instruction guide link).  They are rubber and are glued to the hoof.  Then, the series of wedges and supports are applied to the bottom of the clog depending upon the needs of the horse.  Again, no need to pull the clogs to change any angles.  This is a great benefit because the shoeing process alone can aggravate the situation.

And, the Clogs come in most sizes (pony to draft) or can be specially made if your horse is bigger or smaller.

My friend swears by these Clogs.  In fact, she sent photos of her horse, Angel, and the shoeing process.  I’ve attached one below of Angel in her Clogs.

Angel's feet after a Steward Clog application

As another testament to these Clogs, I know that a horse with chronic laminitis or founder will run to the back of the stall when they see the vet/farrier coming.  But, not with this Clog.  Nancy says that her horse is not sore or lame after the application at all.  Angel trots and bucks right after getting her new Clogs!  Imagine that. Her horse is NOT LAME OR SORE after the application and can be turned out immediately.  Wow.  (sorry for shouting…)

Angel, a horse with chronic laminitis who, according to Nancy, has all of her personality back — front and center!  She is doing great!

Angel (rear), with chronic laminitis, is living pain free with the Steward Clog!

NOT JUST FOR LAMINITIS OR FOUNDER – MANY SORE HOOVES BENEFIT!

These are for sore hooves of any sort… they even work for High Ring Bone, White Line Disease (when a resection is done), and Collateral Ligament Injuries, plus any other lameness that requires stable support and multi-direction breakover.

So, all you folks with sore hooves, please check into these shoeing systems.  Here is the link again.  Scroll down to see the Clogs.  And, if you know of a friend who has these issues with a horse, please pass it along.

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HORSE AND MAN is a blog in growth... if you like this, please pass it around!