Prince is a Welsh Section D that has had several boughts of Laminitis since 2007 where he suffered from Equine Digital Elastosis due to Obesity and an underlying Metobolic disorder. This caused the cartilages in the heels to be pushed up placing essessive pressure on the pedal bone resulting in the pedal bone rotating in all 4 feet in varying degrees.

The front feet had been treated for some years with remedial shoeing. Heartbars Shoes where being used with the toe being aggressively taken back to change the digital breakover of the feet. The heartbar shoe in this case was being used to support the frog and the agressive dumping of the toes is believed to help remove excessive forces on the Pedal bone.

This has been a long process for Prince and his owner how have been extremely committed to getting Prince sound. During this journey Prince has abcessed in all but 1 hind foot despite preventive measures to treat infection using cleantrax. I hope to update you with more pictures of Prince's progress soon.

Front Right - 26 Jan '10
These were how I found his feet 5 weeks after being shoed. Prince was lame, on 2 bute a day and according to his owner getting, more lame rather than improving.On removing the shoe the frog was infected and tiny.

The MAJOR removal/ dumping of the toe to "bring the toe back" and "remove pressure from the pedal bone" had resulted in major infection of the large lamella wedge. Also this horse had nail bind in his front feet from the last shoeing due to the nails having to be placed so high up the wall. He also had Deformed Hoof Syndrome (DHS) with the hoof capsule looking twisted in in medially.

Once trimmed up, infection treated and placed in wrap and pads, this horse was more comfortable and walking better. He still required bute to make him more comfortable.

Front Left - Before and after Trim

Front left - before and after trim on my first visit, prior to infection treatment and perfect hoof wear wraps being applied.

There is major infection in this foot due to the outer and inner hoof hoof wall at the toe being removed/ dumped exposing the damage/dead lamella which had been stretched and weakened from the pedal bone rotating. The exposure of the dead lamella is a perfect environment for bacteria and fungi to thrive on. The owner had not been adviced on how to prevent or treat the infection. 

Prince was no longer on any bute and he was cantering round the field extremely happy.. still sore when turning but improving. He was not in ridden work but being walked in hand regularly to help stimulate his feet and help reduce his weight.

 Sept 2010 - 9th Trim

Sound and now increasing the length of time being ridden - Sound in walk, trot though canter has not been introduced but he is sound in canter in the field.

Still having wraps applied as the lamella wedge is still present though massively reduced.

More images coming soon