Hello,

I'd like to request mark ups on Sierra's front hooves. My trimmer's due out on the 28th. Will have Sierra's x rays in hand and would like to be able to discuss with him her status.

Also I noticed some funky downward lines on her RF that I'd not noticed before, wondering if that's in anyway associated with the abscess? Anything else noteworthy that's seen. Happy to take different pix if requested.

Thank you,
--
Debra Doerfler
San Marcos (San Diego County), California
Lady Sierra Snarf n' Snort AKA "Sierra"
2009 TB rescue mare, adopted 2017
Member since March 2019
https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Debra%20and%20Sierra

https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=91011

Hi Debra,

I'm going to need a full set of current pix of all four feet taken on the same day. See here for what's needed:

https://ecir.groups.io/g/main/wiki/Hoof-Related-Photo-Instructions

Please let me know as soon as you get them up and I'll get you the mark-ups.

--
Lavinia and George Too
Nappi, George and Dante Over the Bridge
Jan 05, RI
ECIR Support Team

Hi Lavinia,

I took all new photos today and got them uploaded. Her feet have really broken up in the last few days, not sure if it's the White Lightning treatments, just the overgrowth or ? Probably a combination. Of note I did a wee bit of work on them today and I'm fairly certain I was seeing some red lines on the sole toes on her fronts.

I welcome your markups and comments.

Thank you,
--
Debra Doerfler
San Marcos (San Diego County), California
Lady Sierra Snarf n' Snort AKA "Sierra"
2009 TB rescue mare, adopted 2017
Member since March 2019
https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Debra%20and%20Sierra

https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=91011

Thanks, Debra.

Toes need to come way back, heels are underrun, wall flares need to be addressed. I'll get mark-ups done for you in time for the next trim - still on the 28th?

Wouldn't surprise me at all to see red in the old white line as it grows down as there are several stressors putting pressure on the laminar connections.This is all old damage that is just now showing up at ground level.

--
Lavinia and George Too
Nappi, George and Dante Over the Bridge
Jan 05, RI
ECIR Support Team

Hi Lavenia,

Yes, trimmer is scheduled for the 28th.  Fingers crossed that w/ mark ups and xrays we'll get a plan in place. Since the trimmer will only come every 5-6...sometimes longer if something happens I'd like to work on a plan of action for what I can/should/shouldn't do in between.

So is the red the equivalent to say a dog's toe nail...the quick, if you cut it it bleeds - can even squirt if cut too deeply?
--
Debra Doerfler
San Marcos (San Diego County), California
Lady Sierra Snarf n' Snort AKA "Sierra"
2009 TB rescue mare, adopted 2017
Member since March 2019
https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Debra%20and%20Sierra

https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=91011

--

Thanks,
Sherry and Scutch (and Scarlet over the bridge)
EC Primary Response

PA 2014

 

Hi Debra,

I've added mark-ups to Sierra's album:

https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=91011

Any red you are seeing at ground level is old bruising that happened some time ago and is just now revealing itself. It is possible it can contain some trapped fluid/blood and might even spurt when opened but any actual blood vessels are ONLY located tightly surrounding the actual coffin bone itself like a hairnet:

https://ecir.groups.io/g/main/files/Trimming/BACKING%20UP%20THE%20TOE.pdf

Generally, the toes are too long horizontally, heels are underrun, walls exhibit some flaring, soles are thin, HPA is broken back and there is some sinking. Unfortunately, the angles the radiographs were shot from weren't the best as the views were taken from below the foot, aiming upward so shot through the block the horse was standing on. This distorts what you are seeing, making it more difficult to assess things like sole depth. Biggest thing to focus on initially is to get the toe length back where it needs to be, then keep it there as the toe length drives many of the other problems.

LF dorsal: Green line follows the new, better attached growth in the top 1/3 of the foot toward the ground. Bevel the lower 1/3 of the wall in to the point where it aligns with the new growth so that the old, detached material is raised out of ground contact to allow the new, healthier growth to come in without being continually pulled apart.

LF lateral composite:  In the radiograph, the pink line is where the bony column should line up and ends where the breakover point should be located. There should be no hoof in contact with the ground ahead of this point. Because the sole is thin, the line deliberately ends below the current sole depth at the point where there should still be sole. The purple line follows what the bony column actually does. Note how it drops back and down from the pink line - this is the boken back HPA. It is in part due to the sinking and part from the heels being underrun, so there isn't enough support (and height) in the back half of the foot. Green line is where the dorsal wall should be - parallel to the pink line. NOTE: the green line is NOT a trim line, just a visual marker. The blue line is where the toe should end, with the blue X the excess horizontal length. Also note that it starts below where the current sole depth is so trim accordingly so no sole gets removed at any point behind the blue line. Orange line is the current sole depth, which should extend down to where the pink line ends. Yellow line #1 runs thru the coronary band, while number 2 points to the extensor process. These two lines should be overlapping, or at least very close together. The distance between them denotes the sinking.
  On the actual hoof photo, the green line is the same one as on the rad. The blue area corresponds to the blue X on the rad, which is the excess toe length. The maroon lines follow several of the horn tubules from top to bottom - note how they bend somewhat and are at a shallower angle than the green line - which they should be parallel to. The 2 lime lines are on either side of the area of detached wall that is bulging in the quarter. Make sure to bevel the bottom of that area out of ground contact so as to remove as much of the tearing forces as possible to allow that to grow out. The gold line follows the coronary band from front to back. Note how it curves down as it approaches the heels - this is a result of the heels pulling it down and forward as they have run forward. As the heel position gets corrected, that distortion will also level out.

LF sole plane: Gold circle is around that cracked and detached section of the lateral wall that needs to be rasped inward and beveled out of ground contact. It looks like the medial heel is taller than the lateral one - blue line. Check the collateral groove depths to make sure they are the same.

LF sole: Blue line is where the hoof should be, hashed areas are all the flared material that needs to be removed and corresponds to the blue lines on the radiograph. The lime areas on the heels are where they should be ramped/beveled back towards the heel bulbs to start encouraging them to stand up straighter and taller. Do not try to move the heels rearward as that will lower them by default and there is absolutely NO excess height available to work with at this time. Lowering the heels right now will drop the palmer angles even lower and make the broken back HPA situation worse.

RF dorsal: Green line follows the new growth toward the ground, showing some medial flaring that should be addressed. Gold line runs thru the center of the pastern and down to the ground. The breakover should be centered around this line. The maroon lines follow some of the horn tubules from top to bottom  - note how the ones on the medial side are fairly straight while the lateral ones are a bit twisted. Also note that all of them seem to be tending to slant slightly medially, suggesting the hoof capsule is twisting a bit.

RF lateral composite: Same general comments as the LF on the rad. The pink line on the hoof photos is the same as the one on the rad. The green line runs parallel to it, same as the one on the rad - again, this is NOT a trim line but a visual. Lime line is where the heels should be standing to correctly support the horse's weight. Note how this line also runs parallel to the pink line.

RF sole: Same as LF.

LH dorsal: Green line highlights the flare that need addressing.

LH lateral: Blue is the excess toe length, same as on the fronts. Green line follows the actual dorsal wall - note how it has a slight bull-nosed curve to it. This is one signal that the palmer angle is likely too low, which means the front half of the foot is too tall relative to the back half of the foot. The underrun heels are the major culprit here. Gold line follows the coronary band, with the same downward dip at the back as on the front feet.

LH sole: Same idea as the fronts with getting the toe backed up more. Bevel the remaining walls inward to control the damaged, detached growth. Add ramps/bevels to the backs of the heels but don't try to move them any further back as there is no vertical height to work with at this time.

RH dorsal: Green lines highlight flares on both sides that need to be brought inward. Follow the same guidelines as those for the LH to bring the toe back more without lowering the heels.

Definitely should be in padded boots the majority of the time as the soles are too thin to remain completely bare except in very soft footing.

--
Lavinia and George Too
Nappi, George and Dante Over the Bridge
Jan 05, RI
ECIR Support Team

Trimmer came today, wasn't able to show him X-rays or mark ups .... Technology can be so vexing. I did the best I could to explain long toes, I think the fronts look pretty good. But the backs look really long in the toe still to me. Took pix and will post tonigh or tomorrow.  Also was informed trimmer's retiring so.....ARG. Have a couple leads to follow up on....
--
Debra Doerfler
San Marcos (San Diego County), California
Lady Sierra Snarf n' Snort AKA "Sierra"
2009 TB rescue mare, adopted 2017
Member since March 2019
https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Debra%20and%20Sierra

https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=91011

I've added mark-ups to Sierra's album:

https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=91011

Thank you Lavinia

Any red you are seeing at ground level is old bruising that happened some time ago and is just now revealing itself. It is possible it can contain some trapped fluid/blood and might even spurt when opened but any actual blood vessels are ONLY located tightly surrounding the actual coffin bone itself like a hairnet:

https://ecir.groups.io/g/main/files/Trimming/BACKING%20UP%20THE%20TOE.pdf

Great file, very helpful with visualization w/o the gore :-)

Generally, the toes are too long horizontally, heels are underrun, walls exhibit some flaring, soles are thin, HPA is broken back and there is some sinking. Unfortunately, the angles the radiographs were shot from weren't the best as the views were taken from below the foot, aiming upward so shot through the block the horse was standing on. Noted. This distorts what you are seeing, making it more difficult to assess things like sole depth. Biggest thing to focus on initially is to get the toe length back where it needs to be, then keep it there as the toe length drives many of the other problems. Okay, focus on toes.

LF dorsal: Green line follows the new, better attached growth in the top 1/3 of the foot toward the ground. Bevel the lower 1/3 of the wall in to the point where it aligns with the new growth so that the old, detached material is raised out of ground contact to allow the new, healthier growth to come in without being continually pulled apart. I see the area where the new growth is coming in at the top 1/3. I think I understand but let me rephrase to make sure....so divide the hoof in thirds horizontally, then on that side where she's got the wall separation/quarter crack fully rasp that bottom 1/3 so that it aligns vertically with the newer angle on the top 1/3 of the hoof. If the separation goes even higher than that 1/3rd don't rasp, just keep that 1/3 rasped so the exterior detached wall isn't in contact with the ground?

LF lateral composite:  In the radiograph, the pink line is where the bony column should line up and ends where the breakover point should be located. There should be no hoof in contact with the ground ahead of this point. Because the sole is thin, the line deliberately ends below the current sole depth at the point where there should still be sole. The purple line follows what the bony column actually does. Note how it drops back and down from the pink line - this is the boken back HPA. It is in part due to the sinking and part from the heels being underrun, Can you explain underrun heels, is it just that they are too steeply angled? so there isn't enough support (and height) in the back half of the foot. Green line is where the dorsal wall should be - parallel to the pink line. NOTE: the green line is NOT a trim line, just a visual marker. The blue line is where the toe should end, with the blue X the excess horizontal length. Also note that it starts below where the current sole depth is so trim accordingly so no sole gets removed at any point behind the blue line. Orange line is the current sole depth, which should extend down to where the pink line ends. Yellow line #1 runs thru the coronary band, while number 2 points to the extensor process. These two lines should be overlapping, or at least very close together. The distance between them denotes the sinking.
  On the actual hoof photo, the green line is the same one as on the rad. The blue area corresponds to the blue X on the rad, which is the excess toe length. The maroon lines follow several of the horn tubules from top to bottom - note how they bend somewhat and are at a shallower angle than the green line - which they should be parallel to. The 2 lime lines are on either side of the area of detached wall that is bulging in the quarter. Make sure to bevel the bottom of that area out of ground contact so as to remove as much of the tearing forces as possible to allow that to grow out. The gold line follows the coronary band from front to back. Note how it curves down as it approaches the heels - this is a result of the heels pulling it down and forward as they have run forward. As the heel position gets corrected, that distortion will also level out. Ok

LF sole plane: Gold circle is around that cracked and detached section of the lateral wall that needs to be rasped inward and beveled out of ground contact. It looks like the medial heel is taller than the lateral one - blue line. Check the collateral groove depths to make sure they are the same. Need to check the collateral groove depths, on my list!

LF sole: Blue line is where the hoof should be, hashed areas are all the flared material that needs to be removed and corresponds to the blue lines on the radiograph. So when we talk about removing the flared material should it all be removed in one trimming or is this done over the course of weeks/months as the hoof grows out just taking 1/8" or so every month? The lime areas on the heels are where they should be ramped/beveled back towards the heel bulbs to start encouraging them to stand up straighter and taller. I do not understand this at all. Do not try to move the heels rearward as that will lower them by default and there is absolutely NO excess height available to work with at this time. Lowering the heels right now will drop the palmer angles even lower and make the broken back HPA situation worse. Can you clarify difference between the heels & heel bulbs (are these the heels of the hoof - the part that's in contact w/ the ground, like the heel of a woman's shoe as compared to the heel bulbs which would be the portion of the heel that sits inside the shoe? Might not be a good analogy...) Where does the heel bulb transition to the heel, at the coronet band?)

RF dorsal: Green line follows the new growth toward the ground, showing some medial flaring that should be addressed. Gold line runs thru the center of the pastern and down to the ground. The breakover should be centered around this line. The maroon lines follow some of the horn tubules from top to bottom  - note how the ones on the medial side are fairly straight while the lateral ones are a bit twisted. Also note that all of them seem to be tending to slant slightly medially, suggesting the hoof capsule is twisting a bit.

RF lateral composite: Same general comments as the LF on the rad. The pink line on the hoof photos is the same as the one on the rad. The green line runs parallel to it, same as the one on the rad - again, this is NOT a trim line but a visual. Lime line is where the heels should be standing to correctly support the horse's weight. Note how this line also runs parallel to the pink line.

RF sole: Same as LF.

LH dorsal: Green line highlights the flare that need addressing.

LH lateral: Blue is the excess toe length, same as on the fronts. Green line follows the actual dorsal wall - note how it has a slight bull-nosed curve to it. This is one signal that the palmer angle is likely too low, which means the front half of the foot is too tall relative to the back half of the foot. The underrun heels are the major culprit here. Gold line follows the coronary band, with the same downward dip at the back as on the front feet.

LH sole: Same idea as the fronts with getting the toe backed up more. Bevel the remaining walls inward to control the damaged, detached growth. Add ramps/bevels Can you clarify ramps/bevels? Same thing as a "mustang roll"? to the backs of the heels but don't try to move them any further back (very unclear how one would even *try* to "move them back) as there is no vertical height to work with at this time.

RH dorsal: Green lines highlight flares on both sides that need to be brought inward. Follow the same guidelines as those for the LH to bring the toe back more without lowering the heels.

Definitely should be in padded boots the majority of the time as the soles are too thin to remain completely bare except in very soft footing. She is very tender footed on the harder ground following the trim which ended up being 6/29/19. Initially I thought I was happy with the fronts but am now undecided. Feel that the toes on the backs remain far too long and that they're just somewhat of a mess.

Thank you Lavinia, much appreciated!

LF dorsal: Green line follows the new, better attached growth in the top 1/3 of the foot toward the ground. Bevel the lower 1/3 of the wall in to the point where it aligns with the new growth so that the old, detached material is raised out of ground contact to allow the new, healthier growth to come in without being continually pulled apart. I see the area where the new growth is coming in at the top 1/3. I think I understand but let me rephrase to make sure....so divide the hoof in thirds horizontally, then on that side where she's got the wall separation/quarter crack fully rasp that bottom 1/3 so that it aligns vertically with the newer angle on the top 1/3 of the hoof. If the separation goes even higher than that 1/3rd don't rasp, just keep that 1/3 rasped so the exterior detached wall isn't in contact with the ground?

Yes, just allow the material higher up the wall to grow down further before you address it. Although it isn't healthy, it is still providing some cushion and stability to that portion of the foot from accidental trauma.

Can you explain underrun heels, is it just that they are too steeply angled?

Underrun heels mean the heel buttress are located further forward than they should be so the structure isn't providing support to the bony column. Looking at the sole, they are located ahead of the widest part of the frog rather than in line with it. When you look from the side at the horn tubules themselves, they are at a flatter angle than the rest of the foot and also at a shallower angle than that of the pastern.

So when we talk about removing the flared material should it all be removed in one trimming or is this done over the course of weeks/months as the hoof grows out just taking 1/8" or so every month?

Getting the flared/too long toe should be done as quickly as possible - one or two trims, no more than 2-3 weeks apart - is the goal as because as long as that toe is too long there is mechanical damage being done to the laminar connections with every step the horse takes. Plus, the long toe keeps pulling the entire rest of the foot forward as well, which thins the sole and drags the heels forward. Getting the side wall flaring taken care of should be started immediately but as long as the very bottom is well-beveled to redirect ground forces it keeps additional damage from happening even if you don't actually remove the excess material.

The lime areas on the heels are where they should be ramped/beveled back towards the heel bulbs to start encouraging them to stand up straighter and taller. I do not understand this at all. Do not try to move the heels rearward as that will lower them by default and there is absolutely NO excess height available to work with at this time. Lowering the heels right now will drop the palmer angles even lower and make the broken back HPA situation worse. Can you clarify difference between the heels & heel bulbs (are these the heels of the hoof - the part that's in contact w/ the ground, like the heel of a woman's shoe as compared to the heel bulbs which would be the portion of the heel that sits inside the shoe? Might not be a good analogy...) Where does the heel bulb transition to the heel, at the coronet band?)

The heels/heel buttresses are the area where the bars and wall meet to form a solid platform for support. The heel bulbs are the soft tissue that comprises the back of the foot behind/above where the wall ends. The frog is between the two heel bulbs. As the heels underrun, the bulbs also get pulled down and forward and end up on the ground where they don't belong.The heels/heel buttresses should be the highest point on the foot as they should be supporting the rear half of the foot so that the bony column sits at the proper angle. When there is a lower-than-ideal palmer angle, you need to be careful not to lower the heel height any more as it is already too low. If the trim flattens more of the heel surface further back, that also removes height as an unintended consequence. What needs to be done is to just add a ramp to the back of the heel aimed back toward the heel bulbs. See here:

https://ecir.groups.io/g/main/photo/9625/0?p=Created,,,20,2,0,0

HTH.

--
Lavinia and George Too
Nappi, George and Dante Over the Bridge
Jan 05, RI
ECIR Support Team

Hi Lavinia,

Thanks for this link: https://ecir.groups.io/g/main/photo/9625/0?p=Created,,,20,2,0,0 So really it's just a tiny ramp in the picture ... just the area above the pink line is filed off? Which in the picture appears to be perhaps 3/16" height.

I filed off a bunch of her excess toe Monday. Will re-evaluate tonight, do the little heel ramps and take new photos - I should have someone to help me with the photos so that will be a huge help.
--
Debra Doerfler
San Marcos (San Diego County), California
Lady Sierra Snarf n' Snort AKA "Sierra"
2009 TB rescue mare, adopted 2017
Member since March 2019
https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Debra%20and%20Sierra

https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=91011

Hi Debra,

Yes, the area above the pink line is where the ramp would go. Basically, flatten the area from the heel buttress to the furthest point back on the heel that is currently visible. The next time you go to trim, you will likely have some of the overlapping frog material/periople peeling back to expose more of the heels that aren't visible now. Trim away that peeling material then repeat this process.

How much that actually removes depends on the individual horse but the goal is to ease the landing on the heels so that the motion rolls over onto the heels buttresses. It also allows the very back of the heels that are most crushed and stretched forward to start to relax into a more upright position.

Great you were able to back more toe up :)

--
Lavinia and George Too
Nappi, George and Dante Over the Bridge
Jan 05, RI
ECIR Support Team

Hi Lavinia,

I've uploaded a new set of Sierra's hoof photos including lateral sole planes. Could you have a look and let me know your thoughts on her feet now? Did I get enough toe off? Especially please take a loot at the LF both the sole (which looks HUGE and out of balance) and the lateral pix to see if you think I've taken off enough of the area where the wall is separated. Also, feedback on my attempt at ramping the heels would be most appreciated.

I'm thinking too of getting new front lateral x-rays, it's only been 2 months (on the 24th) since the originals. But, given that I'm working on her feet, she's tender footed and the xrays weren't great - as you pointed out they were shot up through the sole somewhat. Would it be worthwhile or should I wait another month?

Thanks!
--
Debra Doerfler
San Marcos (San Diego County), California
Lady Sierra Snarf n' Snort AKA "Sierra"
2009 TB rescue mare, adopted 2017
Member since March 2019
https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Debra%20and%20Sierra

https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=91011

Hi Debra,

You made a good start. Still need to get more off the toe length across the board  - hinds are getting a lot closer. LF is better in the toe length than the RF but that is in part because it is the "high" foot, whereas the RF is the "low" foot. This means the RF is overall flatter, with the heels being run under further as well as the toe being further out ahead.

When backing up the toes, need to bring the entire front half of the foot in proportionally so you don't lose the overall rounded shape. Back up the toe, then bring the resulting "corners" inward to the same degree.

You made a start on ramping the heels. It should be the entire width of the heel, ramped straight back toward the bulbs, not just the outside edge beveled. Does that make sense? Also need to add it to the hind feet.

All four feet can now use to have the bars adjusted along the leading edges as you can see they are starting to lift away. This lifting away is a good sign as it means you are addressing things that needed attention so then other parts of the foot that were substituting are then able to stop doing double duty.

Your choice regarding the rads. They are always helpful but also expensive. I'd be inclined to wait until after you do another trim and be sure to read the info on Getting Good rads:

https://ecir.groups.io/g/Hoof/files/X-Rays%20and%20Radiographs/Getting%20Good%20Xrays%20%20Updated%20April%2023.pdf

--
Lavinia and George Too
Nappi, George and Dante Over the Bridge
Jan 05, RI
ECIR Support Team

Hi Lavinia,

Had new rads taken yesterday, talked with the vet about what you said about the last ones shooting up through the sole; she was receptive and worked hard to get straight planes. Did lats on all 4, and it's exactly as you wrote, that RF long toe is getting away from me. Good news is that the wall separation from March's abscess has reached the ground, it's not broken off, and it will serve me well as a marker to get that toe back. I hope I can start seeing things better on the outside! I'll get the rads posted in the next few days. Had vet insert a dime into the collateral grooves - I'll be curious to hear what you have to say about that visual.

Working on getting back all other toes and keeping the rounded shape. And *clearly* I need to continue with 2x monthly or some other course of the White Lightening treatments. I've never had a horse with chronic thrush like this, it's vexing.

I think I'm beginning to better understand ramping the heels. Purchased Pete's "Under the Horse" and that's helping across the board but I'm not sure I really understand the mechanics of how ramping the heels works to bring them back. In my mind I get that those tubules are being relieved of some pressure - but it seems like it would be so incremental as to not really matter. And then if they're landing heel first on soft ground ...I just don't get it ... yet(!)  welcome any analogies you have to help me understand.


--
Debra Doerfler
San Marcos (San Diego County), California
Lady Sierra Snarf n' Snort AKA "Sierra"
2009 TB rescue mare, adopted 2017
Member since March 2019
https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Debra%20and%20Sierra

https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=91011

Hi Debra,

It would be really helpful if you would also take a full set of hoof photos so that we have both the hooves and the rads from the same time period to look at - makes providing suggestions a lot easier and clearer:

https://ecir.groups.io/g/main/wiki/Hoof-Related-Photo-Instructions

Why do feel there is thrush problem? Don't see any evidence of that in the last pix from mid-July.

Ramping the heels allows them to stand up a bit straighter rather than being pulled forward and down at all times. Every little bit helps to get them re-oriented in the right direction. With a ramp, landing forces are dispersed so that the horse rolls over onto the heel buttress rather than slamming straight down on it with every step. Soft ground helps disperse forces in general, while hard ground will concentrate them.

Once the heel is standing straighter (and therefore taller), you can then extend the heel buttress back a bit further without losing precious depth. You keep repeating the cycle until the heels end up at the correct height and in the correct position.

--
Lavinia and George Too
Nappi, George and Dante Over the Bridge
Jan 05, RI
ECIR Support Team

Hi Lavinia,

The thrush is deep in the collateral grooves, worse in the fronts. The frogs aren't completely trimmed away so the whole collateral groove is exposed, there's a sort of flap...geeze I am having a hard time describing! Anyway - it's there and I'm fighting it! Her frog have somewhat atrophied since they shed, you'll see in the photos. I'll get new pix posted tonight.

With a ramp, landing forces are dispersed so that the horse rolls over onto the heel buttress rather than slamming straight down on it with every step.

Got it. So is getting the heels back a year long process like growing out a hoof capsule?
--
Debra Doerfler
San Marcos (San Diego County), California
Lady Sierra Snarf n' Snort AKA "Sierra"
2009 TB rescue mare, adopted 2017
Member since March 2019
https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Debra%20and%20Sierra

https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=91011

As with so many things, it depends.

Getting heels back can be quick or it can take time - depends on how the horse's feet react to the changes you make.

--
Lavinia and George Too
Nappi, George and Dante Over the Bridge
Jan 05, RI
ECIR Support Team

New slo mo walking vids posted


1/2 of new photo set and x-rays loaded - always takes longer than I think it will.
Updating case history.
--
Debra Doerfler
San Marcos (San Diego County), California
Lady Sierra Snarf n' Snort AKA "Sierra"
2009 TB rescue mare, adopted 2017
Member since March 2019
https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Debra%20and%20Sierra

https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=91011

I hope this is not out of order. I'm sure mods will let us know. 

The mechanics of Sierra's left fore look familiar and remind me of my Diamond's LF. My trimmer pointed out that her LF has complicated angles - one angle from knee to fetlock, a different angle from fetlock to hoof. The result is very uneven hoof wear from the hoof landing at an angle. Impact on wear is most visible at a good working trot.

I don't imply that it affects performance. Diamond is very athletic, but she's also high hoof maintenance with lots of wear on the lateral hoof wall and one side of the toe. As my trainer used to say, it's not what you have, it's how you use it. 
--
Cass for Cayuse (PPID/IR) and Diamond (IR)
Sonoma County, Calif. Oct. '12
Cayuse Case History                Cayuse Photos
Diamond Case History              Diamond Photos