Treating Founder (Chronic Laminitis) Without Shoes--Guestbook 1999

Treating Founder (Chronic Laminitis) without Horseshoes
Guest book posts, 1999

Comments

I have one "Foundered" horse and purchased a second. I have 4 others. Cause of founder in our area is very lush grass. I have been doing some of the things you recommend, just because it seemed to help. I think you've got something here. Ed Robbins robbins@canuck.com
PS--Somewhere on the site I saw where to order a book on this subject. I will be ordering.

Sabine Kells and Dr. Hiltrud Strasser, authors of "A Lifetime of Soundness," have found that once you restore more circulation in the feet through frequent, correct barefoot trims, a natural lifestyle (constant access to turnout and freedom to move) and more exercise, horses which used ot grass founder seem to be able to tolerate more grazing.

Comments

Having read your article on trimming founded horses feet I would like to thank you for taking the time to share your views. It's something that I would love to have the time to do, having been a farrier for the past 22 yrs in Australia. Having been taught this way of dealing with founder by a very old farrier, I have found it to be the most successful (and believe me I have tried many so-called 'new' ideas), I feel that the more natural the hoof the better. I am currently trialling the feeding of shark cartilage powder (3months) and although it is to early to say it is of benefit, so far the results look promising. As yet I do not have my own computer, so do not have an e-mail address, but hope to soon. Keep up the good work and good luck. --O.D.

Comments

Thanks for your comments! I would be very interested in hearing more about your experiences. Hope you get online soon. When you do, send me an email. I want to hear more details about what has and hasn't worked for you.

Right now I have been reading Dr. Strasser's book, "A Lifetime of Soundness," which takes this idea to its logical extremes...and apparently works really well. They have some associates working in British, Columbia, in Canada; they train people to do this kind of trimming, too. Jaime carries the book on his web site.

Do you have some interesting photos? If you want to share them with me, please send them to me at PO Box 307, Duncan Falls, OH 43734, USA.

Comments

Thank you soooo much. I will share with my farrier the information I have learned from your site. I have searched the net for months and have finally found what I was looking for. My mare and I both thank you. skov51@cyberhighway.net

Comments

Truly the most informative site on the WWW I have yet found. I have not have a chance to completely read all the information you have provided, but what I have seen so far totally confirms many of my observations. The causes of laminitis are obviously many and varied. After 5 years of struggling with this problem we have "maybe" narrowed down the trigger for our horse which is excessive heat and humidity. We live south of Calgary, Alberta, Canada and our horse would founder almost to the day every July. We had eliminated all the traditional elements commonly attributed to founder except a casual remark a Vet had made about horses in Texas foundering due to heat stress. During the hot days and nights of July and August we kept our horse in a air conditioned stall with a deep bed of shavings. He made it through the summer for the first time in four years. But, we bought 500 bales of timothy /fescue blend - we normally feed straight timothy - and after having feed the horse the timothy/fescue he foundered again in the late fall. Almost immediately after starting him on that hay. Somewhere in the back of my mind I suspected the fescue was the cause and put him back on the straight timothy. He was a little sore, but otherwise fine until I accidentally feed him the timothy/fescue mix some weeks later on and he went again, Big Time. The founder, believe it or not, was confined to his back feet. Since then we have had off and on bouts of abscesses, sometimes in both feet at a time.

Dr. Strasser has found that if you improve circulation in the feet enough to withstand these occasional crises, many things that formerly triggered laminitis attacks can be sloughed off. The keys--very frequent and correct barefoot trims, constant freedom to move, and more exercise.

It has been hell for him and hell for us as well. Anyway, the natural wild horse trim is a further confirmation of my thinking and I would say as well that not only should we take the notion about how a wild horse wears his feet, but as well has how a wild horse feeds. The forage a wild horse eats is normally the (I say this with some reserve) hard prairie grasses. Feeding horses large quantities of grain (oats, whatever) or even feeding them grain at all is unnatural as well as high percentage alfalfa hay. People with so called high performance horses who insist on feeding their horses alfalfa hay and large quantities of grain are asking for trouble, big time.

How right you are on that. I visited a farm that did this. Straight alfalfa, and TWO of those larger coffee cans of sweet feed a day for stalled horses getting no exercise. They had big founder problems there, and colic. The one mare was so sore, she was covered with bedsores from being down all the time. I trimmed her while she was lying on her side, as trying to get her to hold a foot up while she was standing was an impossibility. She was so sore a farrier could not be sure she wouldn't just fall on top of him...if you could even get her up off the floor. She has been making progress. Walking a lot better, and the hooves are getting more normal looking, although she is continuing to have abscesses. She is due to foal any minute. Her vets wanted to put her down. She is doing better, and the foal's life has been spared as well. It's really satisfying for me to save a horse's life like this. That is why I put up my site.

Especially if they only high performance their horses once or twice a month. Anyway, again thanks for your work. It is excellent, excellent, excellent. Thank you very much.

Comments

Oh yeah, I forgot to ask, our vet has suggested frog supports for the horse. What are your feelings about this? Thanks, again for the wonderful site.

Comments

Sounds like your fescue mix hay is endophyte-infected. Since your horse is so sensitive to this, I agree with your decision to not feed it to him.

Since you're in Canada, I really recommend that you visit the Canadian clinician, Sabine Kells, who is affiliated with Dr. Strasser's clinic, the German vet who wrote "A Lifetime of Soundness." I also urge you to order "A Lifetime of Soundness" ASAP!! They have rehabilitated seemingly hopeless cases, and have helped some horses who used to grass founder quite readily to be able to graze again without repercussions. You NEED this book! They are also generous with help over the phone, and they will train people how to care for feet.

European School for Hoof Orthopedics Canada PO Box 44 Qualicum Beach BC V9K 1S7 Canada. They don't have an email address. They have a clinic coming up in June 26-7 in Victoria, BC.

Once you read the book through, you will see that nailing on frog support is not only not necessary, but it can be done better barefoot with frequent trims. One of their contentions is that high heels cause a boatload of problems, and all shoeing reduces circulation. Since laminitis is a circulatory problem, anything that will increase circulation will help. They also contend that just nailing on frog support is not really curative--that the key is to increase circulation enough so that new laminae grows in stronger as it grows down. Heartbars will give immediate pain relief, but not repair the underlying cause, a lack of circulation. This is best done with a frequent mustang trim, and having the heels low enough so the frog is supported by the ground, is also great for increasing circulation. I have tried artificial frog support in shoeing. If it is not reset really often, you can still get further rotation. And as soon as you take the frog support away and go with regular shoes, there is no frog support, and the laminae are still weak--back to square one. The real solution is to enhance circulation and trim the toe back to reduce leverage. Trimming my horse recently, I am noting much thicker walls, tighter white line, growth lines showing growth just as fast in the toe as the heel, etc. It takes a long time for the new growth stimulated by better circulation to grow all the way down to the ground at the toe. However, I am actually making REAL progress, not just holding the line. This was a horse who used to have "not much to nail to." His walls are getting much thicker and tougher. It is paying off. The rotation is vastly less than it was before, and the new laminae are strong enough to hold things more in place. All due to better circulation. So many frog support shoeing strategies, like heartbars, can result in contracted heels, which reduce circulation. What I advocate is slow, but the end results are better.

Your horse probably needs more exercise, however mean that sounds. You can't get optimum results if he is stalled a lot. If he is moving around all the time, it will enhance circulation.

Comments

A lifeline to the owner of a severely foundered horse. Thank you. Marilyn Picking rimada@bright.net

Comments

Excellent Excellent Excellent!!! what more can I say...thank you for putting the time and energy to put this on the internet!! Pam - daystar@i1.net

Comments

What a great! site. Unfortunately, my 29 yr old AQHA gelding foundered last week, probably as a result of his underlying Cushing's syndrome, since no other changes to his life have occurred. You have presented a lot of valuable information that will assist me with the kinds of decisions I face with his future care. Thanks very much for sharing.

Comments

Gretchen Fathauer's reply to the following post-- "Unfortunately, my 29 yr old AQHA gelding foundered last week, probably as a result of his underlying Cushing's syndrome, since no other changes to his life have occurred. You have presented a lot of valuable information that will assist me with the kinds of decisions I face with his future care."

Well, putting him on Permax will help, as well as the nutritional supplements I talk about on the site.

Get "A Lifetime of Soundness" from http://www.alltel.net/~star The German vet who wrote it explains WHY, in great biomechanical detail, doing a frequent barefoot trim of the right sort will enhance circulation better than just about anything else you can do. This will help your horse recover, and make him less vulnerable to laminitis in the future. To reach Sabine Kells, the translator of the book from the original German, into English, and who runs a Canadian clinic affiliated with Dr. Strasser, here is the info: European School of Hoof Orthopedics Canada PO Box 44 Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 1S7 Canada

Sabine has been very helpful to people I have referred to her, and very encouraging. She tells me, for instance, that horses that used to grass founder are able to graze more without repercussions once their feet are maintained in a constant wild horse foot shape, due to the enhanced circulation. This is something you can do for your old guy at minimal cost if you are willing to do 2-3x weekly little tune-ups on his trim with a rasp yourself. You are taking off so little at a time that it need not take much longer than picking out feet. But it sure would help your old friend tremendously.

Comments

I have been searching the web non stop for information about laminitis. I found this one very very informative and helpful. What I'm looking for is an answer to what to do with a 7 year old performance horse who gets sore founder type symptoms when she cycles. There has been no rotation but it is a constant soreness every 22 to 23 days. I know what 99% of the vets say there is no connection with estrus, but you could make a calender with her lameness. Also the vets do confirm it is slight founder, but have no answers. If you have any please let me no. Thank you

You might consult Sabine Kells. However, my take on this situation is that her circulation is so borderline that just a little stress, like coming into heat, will set her off. What you need to do is increase circulation in her feet enough so that she has more reserve. This entails doing very frequent mustang trims. It also involves not stalling her, but giving her constant access to a paddock from her stall. Putting water in one end and the feed in another also encourages walking around. So does putting her in with other horses. Order "A Lifetime of Soundness" from Jaime-- http://www.alltel.net/~star

Sabine Kells is the translator of Dr. Strasser's book, which came out in German originally. Sabine runs the Canadian clinic affiliated with Dr. Strasser, and they train people to do the right kind of trimming. Sabine is in British Columbia. She tells me that horses who used to grass founder can graze more once their feet are constantly maintained in a wild horse foot shape and they are getting more exercise...all of which increase circulation. The same thing could work for your horse.

Comments

This was a great site and I really learned more reading this than anything else. What you are saying about the wild horse trim definitely makes sense.

Comments

I am so happy to have found your article!!!! It is the first time I read something that gives me real hope for my stallion. For the last 3-4 years, I was only able to give him some short relief by trying different things (trimming, shoeing, medication, etc...) My farrier is coming this week and I plan on showing him your article to start ASAP this more than realistic approach for foundered horses!!!!

Comments

Thank you for the excellent, informative article. At the barn where I am boarding my horses, there is an ex-race horse who foundered due to a back injury. His feet are so severely deformed that they most resemble the turned up slippers of an elf. They are actually much worse then even the horse your article featured as severe founder. Every step he takes makes by-standers wince with pain as they watch him carefully place his feet and almost walk on his hind quarters to relieve the pressure on his toes. I estimate his toes to be at least 6 inches long and turned up to add insult to injury. I have talked to his owners to attempt to convince them to give another farrier a try or to do anything to relieve his suffering. I plan to print out this article and give them the information (if that is OK with you). Hopefully they will give your technique a try after learning about your positive results.

Tracy, I was unable to email you--the email bounced for some reason. Neglect this severe is a humane society case. If you cannot convince the owners to start trimming this horse, I would turn them in. For advice on how to proceed, you could get good info from the Hooved Animal Humane Society, 10714 McConnell Rd., Woodstock, IL 60098; 815-337-5563. Even if they are not in your area, they could connect you with people in your area who can help you. They have extensive experience with animals as neglected as this poor horse. They have contacts all over the country as well. Please do something! This kind of thing breaks my heart.

Comments

I appreciate your website because it teaches horse owners about barefoot trimming as a treatment for laminitis. My pony Buddy foundered in Sept '97. He could barely walk and had large areas of separation in both front hooves. He had never worn shoes in his life, and I was afraid to put bar shoes on him. My farrier introduced me to barefoot trimming techniques like those in this website. He said that he no longer uses shoes on most foundered horses because they impede circulation to the hoof. He trims Buddy every six weeks by rolling his toes and cutting off his heels so that his frogs are in constant contact with the ground. I file the new hoof growth once a week. I also limit the amount of grain that Buddy consumes. Progress has been slow, but thanks to my farrier, my pony lives a normal life.

Comments

I am impressed with the depth and variety of information you have on this site. It is very informative and helpful. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND RIDE ON!!

Comments

I think that this website might be a lifesaver for my daughter's horse. Her horse has been foundering on and off for about a year. We have tried local vets and farriers, but none of them seem to help much. We are willing to try anything, with this site I think we may have saved her life. It's wonderful and thank you so much for sharing all this information where people like myself can make use of it. I'm not quite certain of how to lower the heel on her horse. They are very high and I'm wondering, do we lower them all at once or gradually. Thank-you

I have taken off 1/2" in one shot, and Sabine Kells tells me she takes it off quickly. My horse was sore initially, though. If you feel better about chipping away with your rasp on a daily basis to take it down gradually, that is ok, too. Just make sure you take down both the heels and the bars. The frog should not be recessed where it is buried between prominent bars. The bars you take down with a hoof knife, not a rasp.

Comments

I am an Equine Student in my junior year. I have worked around horses my entire life and have read tons of books and magazine articles. But I have never come across such useful photos. Thanks!

Come back in a month or two! Sabine Kells wants me to scan photos of case histories she has worked on, and put them on the site, which should be spectacular. She already is working on a case shipped up from one of my web contacts in Ohio that had one foundered foot so clubbed that 3" had to be taken off the heel. The horse was 3-legged lame when he arrived at her place. He is now grooving on herd life with the others, and felt good enough about putting weight on the bad foot to kick a mare with both hinds. Much more comfortable now that his coffin bone more parallel to the ground, rather than stabbing the ground, as it was. This had, over a period of 4 years, resulted in almost half of the coffin bone eroding. We'll keep a close watch on him to see what happens!

Come to the seminar Sabine and Dr. Strasser are putting on June 26-7 in Victoria, BC, Canada. There is the possibility that the clinic will last longer. We will be trimming and dissecting cadaver feet under Dr. Strasser's supervision. Jaime will be there. So will I--really looking forward to it.

Dr. Strasser will be getting busier in the future, as the Austrian government is helping her open a school in Austria to teach her method, so it is hard to say when she will be in N. America again soon.

Comments

A friend gave me your web site address. I haven't read every little detail, but will come back and finish it as I can. I have been trimming hooves for 5 years and have had some shared experiences with foundered horses. Since I've not been trained to shoe, my work is limited to trimming. While reading some of your text, light bulbs would go off in my head! All of my horses are barefoot and had one go to a summer camp and since she refused to be reshod, she spent the last half of camp barefoot. Her feet held up perfectly with the exception of a wall separation. Probably due to the shoeing. So it is with great interest in leaving horses barefoot that I'm here aside from the founder work. The latest horse I'm working on with founder has progressed from the acute stages and only has sensitivity following trims. I'm still running into the black pockets here and there, but they are far fewer than before. My farrier taught me about rolling the toes or squaring them off too. I have 10 horses with varying types of feet. One in particular grows long toes and very little heel. I'm aggressive about going for his toes and it has helped although he isn't calloused enough yet. I also used to find more blood in the laminaie of his toes. A farrier's clinic informed me that it was due to the stress place on the area from having too much toe. Have you also found this to be true? Anytime I'd mention the sight of blood to other farriers, I'd hear, "Oh you went too deep and hit sensitive tissue!" I knew I had not, but they were only going by my description without having seen it for themselves. I'm going to order both books mentioned, Dr. Stasser's and Jaime's. Thank you for developing and pursuing this issue plus making this web site! Also, I will be attending the Kentucky Farrier's School for two weeks to gain some knowledge in shoeing. I don't necessarily want to make a living at shoeing, but would like to increase my skills. At least I know there's something to be said for specializing in trimming work!

Comments

I have a paso fino/racking horse mare (4 yr) that I just bought and never had shoes. She has very nice feet and I have thought about not shoeing, but we live in an area that is very rocky and I am worried about stone bruises and the resulting abscesses. Presently she needs to be trimmed. I was wondering if I should just trim in the same shape that she has naturally worn her feet or if I should shoe?

By all means, don't shoe. It will take a while to build up stronger walls and soles through exercise on varied terrain, but in the transitional period, the use of hoof boots to prevent stone bruises on rides through rocky terrain will enable you to improve the horse's feet, not make them worse, which shoeing inevitably will. Most shoeing results in less hoof function and circulation, and some heel contraction. It will take more patience to work into high performance barefootedness, but it is worth it in the long run.

Comments

Just wanted to tell you I think your site is EXCELLENT. In fact, may reference it in future foot articles. Good job. Eleanor Kellon, VMD, Technical Editor, The Horse Journal kell@epix.net

Comments

This is my first experience with founder with my horse, Cash. It has been a very stressful situation here because I do not have the knowledge of taking care of horse with this problem. I do appreciate you view, your points, your pictures, and your own experiences. This page has given me hope....and given me things to work with and hopefully improve my horse feet and his problems. Thank you.

Comments

Your site is great. I just had an awful experience--my mare lost her colt last night, and the vet came today and said she was foundering.

I hope you can get some activated charcoal into her, such as UAA Gel. If you knock this out quickly, you can at least avoid major damage.

Comments

Oh, my god! What a great web site! You have cleared up soooooooo many of my questions! It's the photos and details info that follows. Thank you for taking the time to make this site--hats off. I own two mustangs and they have taught me how to trim their feet and the feet of my two domesticated horses. I also found that farriers where to quick to jump the gun and shoe horses....when I knew in my heart this was not right. I started to question them with no solid answers! Then I started to ask horse owners--why is your horse shod? The same answer--my farrier recommends it! There are few farriers who have taken the time to learn more--instead are interested in making the buck. If farriers knew as much as you did, think of the healthy horses there would be out there! I'm also a self taught hoof career of my horses and might I say thank you to the wild ones who showed me the way.

I do have some questions--would you be willing to help me with them? Let me know. Thanks!

I don't think it is farrier greed behind so many farriers leaning toward shoeing. After all, if all they were doing is trimming, their set-up expenses would reduce ENORMOUSLY. No collections of shoes and pads in various shapes and sizes, anvils, forges, metal-working equipment, nails, on and on! It costs a bundle to buy all this stuff. Rather, I think the answer is that many horses APPEAR to be more comfortable in shoes. Dr. Strasser's explanation of why this is is something I had not ever thought of before--that shoes, restricting circulation, also reduce feeling. So it SEEMS that the horse has less pain in the shoes...because he actually is feeling less, period. I don't blame farriers for this, and believe that most of them genuinely love horses and try to help them. Another reason is that if a horse has poor quality walls, it takes a long time to grow down new, thicker, stronger walls, soles and stronger laminae. In the interim, shoeing is tempting. However, it slows progress. I would like to see more farriers doing frequent barefoot trims, and fitting Horsneakers. I know Frank Orza would be willing to give them professional discounts on Horsneakers if they are sending him lots of orders.

On a completely different subject--just got a call from someone who was thrilled with how UAA Gel I mailed her knocked out her pony's grass founder in a matter of hours. Everybody who has tried it is sold on it.

And yes, I am glad to help individuals who call or email me on a one on one basis.

Comments

Hi my name is Kellie. I have a mare that has chronic laminitis. I've been through practically everything with her. This has been going on for 4 years now. Just this past year she foundered twice, so far she's foundered 4 times. She's had so many abscesses I lost count. I could not find a decent blacksmith or a vet that wouldn't give up on her. In '97 I moved from Ft. Lauderdale to southwest Florida. There is a team of vets here; they were telling me things I had never heard of and I'm was afraid to let them do anything to her. They wanted to first X-ray her, which is something I should have done in Ft. Lauderdale. Then they tried shoeing her based on where her coffin bone was, but when they X-rayed we found out her rt ft was counter rotated. So then not only did I have a horse with chornic laminitis, but she was navicular. She had contracted heels and absolutely no good hoof wall, sole or any kind of heel to walk on....well since she's been here, I've already gotten rid of one blacksmith and my new one is great. He listens to the vet and comes out when I need him, because he really wants to help my horse. We started the barefoot trim last year sometime and she got worse at first. I thought we would lose her, but she came around. Now she even bucks around the pasture with the others. I use to show this horse a lot until this happened. Now I can't ride her anymore. I'm going to wait and see how she does this summer and possibly breed her next year ... I really liked your web site. I think its a very good thing for people with newly foundered horses and horses that have foundered in the past so they don't go through what I went through. It's very expensive and heartbreaking.

Comments

I commend you on your knowledge. I have been very upset with the fact that my favorite mare foundered. She may or may not ever be ridden again, and I thought of putting her down. Then I looked up a web site and wrote to it and someone replied with your web site and it made me feel better about my situation. Thank you so much.

Comments

Great work! I've added you to our horse health links. We've been trying to promote this kind of thinking and from what I've seen so far, you're right on track and have provided some great details and follow-ups; one of the most complete sites on this subject that we've visited so far.

You might think about exploring some of the new, but simple innovations in taking radiographs, including the use of metallic markers, which most clearly shows how the internal suspension within the hoof capsule improves IN A MATTER OF MINUTES when some of the theories you offer are correctly applied. We're on the cusp of some significant breakthroughs with respect to preventive and corrective hoof care and it's great to see websites such as yours leading the way.

Comments

Thank You very much for the information on laminitis. I have a mare who has a history of laminitis. I am constantly working to prevent it recurring. You have given me a lot of information to consider, the main things being: the use of dolomite (the iron content in our water is high), and I think there is a possibility my mare, aged 23, may have a Pituitary Adenoma. I also found that keeping my mare moving helped with her recovery.

In addition to the things that you have mentioned re prevention, doing a FREQUENT correct trim will increase circulation enough to help an animal weather some laminitis triggers without foundering....BECAUSE of the greater reserve of circulation enabled by a correct foot shape and more exercise. Your observations about keeping her moving are correct because this enhances circulation. I urge you to get a copy of "A Lifetime of Soundness" to understand this more fully. In speaking with Sabine Kells, the translator, who also is certified to do Strasser method hoofcare, she tells me that once "hoof mechanism" is restored and the horses are kept active with herd life in a pasture board situation and being exercised, horses who used to grass founder will be able to graze more without repercussions. She has also known horses to gorge on grain without ill effects--once they have excellent hoof function through a constantly maintained correct hoof shape and enough exercise. Jaime Jackson was hard-pressed to find any foundered wild horses during his field studies.

What is "hoof function"? Basically, it is a hoof shaped in a way to encourage the heels to noticeably spread each time weight is put down on the foot. In order to get this, the heels must be low, the bars must be lower than the walls, the frog needs to be close to the ground and there needs to be concavity in the sole. You only get this with frequent correct trims, or so much exercise that trims are not necessary because the horse constantly stays worn down.

PREVENTION INVOLVES: 1. The chemical aspects--diet, supplements, using activated charcoal such as UAA Gel during acute laminitis attacks, etc. --AND-- 2. The mechanical aspects--lots of exercise, and frequent correct trims to restore "hoof function."

Comments

I'm very excited that I found your web site. I was about to put eggbar shoes on my mare at my vet's advice. I am going to try the methods you recommend. It seems to make perfect sense.

Comments

When last I visited your site and wrote to you, I was just ordering Jaime's and Dr. Strasser's books. Well I finished Jaime's Horse Owners Guide and have almost completed Dr. Strasser's Lifetime of Soundness. I now understand your concern for my "squaring off" the toes of horses. I have since done away with that technique. I just needed to read about the effects of doing such a thing. I'm glad to say that my horse trimming has improved already and that some of my square toed horse's hooves are taking on a more natural look already.

I have a question that you may be able to help me out with. Is there any way I can e-mail Jaime Jackson to ask a question? I didn't see an address in his book or I may have missed it if it WAS printed. My question, maybe you could answer, is to avoid causing concusion problems with a navicular horse during the healing process, would sandy footing due? I'd also see that the hooves were wet daily, too. In Dr. Strasser's book she mentions a navicular horse doing well while on heavy rubber matting at the clinic. I can't provide that sort of condition and wondered if the sand could provide the same protection.

Thank you for your help. I've been referring both books to people interested in barefoot performance horses.

Another observation, I found Jaime's book more helpful in explaining "Power Trimming" than Dr. Strasser's due to the photos included in the text. Dr. Strasser's explanations were correct, but hard to follow without illustrations. So in my case, both texts complimented the other!

Jaime Jackson can be reached at star@alltel.net His web site is http://www.alltel.net/~star which also gives his mailing address and phone. Sounds like you might want to use his consultation service, which is described on his web site.

Sand would help with reducing concussion. However, excessively deep sand can stress tendons. Another way to reduce concussion would be to use removable hoof boots. This will enable you to exercise the horse on hard or rocky ground. Early in the healing process you want to avoid undue concussion; hoof boots will make this possible even on hard terrain.

Comments

Update: In February I posted a message about my 29 yr old cherished friend who had unexpectedly foundered. I am thrilled to report that he is sound once again and will be in fine spirit to celebrate his 30th birthday May 12. I passed along to my farrier all of the information I had gathered from your website and we compromised with a rather radical trim --shortening up his toes considerably and cutting away (to relieve pressure) the lower quarter of his toe. Reverse shoes and pads were applied. His hind feet were similarly trimmed, except for the cutting away of the toe--but left barefoot. His heels appeared to be quite low. With just this work, the results were dramatic. He could barely walk the evening of his trimming, but was a little improved after the trimming and shoes.

Afterwards, I placed all 4 feet in ice for 45 minutes. The following morning he was much improved. More icing over the next few days, along with a 2 week course of Bute and hand-walking seemed to do much to improve his acute symptoms.

These days he is outside enjoying the spring weather - trotting and cantering quite freely with his pasture mates. I believe I have found correct nutrition for him - although it is a challenge at his age/tooth condition/and now this. I have added supplemental Vitamin C to his diet, which appears to be having a beneficial effect..

We're happy that he'll have another summer of playing "babysitter" to the latest foal born just this past Tuesday, an occupation he thoroughly enjoys.

Thanks again for your great site. I have ordered your recommended book and I'm quite willing to provide weekly rasping to keep him as he is today.

Well, I find it a bit of a stretch to hear that you are incorporating info from my site--when you are opting for shoes and pads. Are you still using them? To have a more complete healing, you will have to get these things off at some point. One of the main points raised on my site is that barefoot works better in the long run.

During acute laminitis attacks, many of us have been having better results with UAA Gel than bute, as UAA Gel attacks the root cause rather than just giving some relief killing pain and enabling a bit more circulation by reducing inflammation. So many laminitis triggers involve disturbed gut bacteria and resultant gut toxins; the activated charcoal adsorbs these toxins. Too bad more people don't know about it. This is not to knock bute, but during an acute attack, the charcoal is now the first thing I'd reach for.

Re your horse's teeth, etc.--you might look into one of the beet pulp mixtures like Respond. Although it is marketed for heaves, you soak it before feeding it, and end up with a nice mush. There are also convalescent feeds you could soak and serve, too, that would be less rich. I sympathize with the situation, and do not look forward to the time when Max won't be able to chew. I used to board where there were some old horses with bad teeth, and they just wasted away on even large portions of grain and alfalfa. Glad to hear you are going to try softer foods.

Comments

An excellent source of information. Myself having a growing concern for the need of natural supplements in my family's diet as well as all their health care, how much more it is needed in the life style of our horses. Being very new to the care of horses, with two new babies this year, we now have eight...that's a hand full when you're just learning. This spring we turned out five of our adult horses to pasture and now, one week later, we have two with the symptoms of laminitis. I searched everywhere for an answer to their sudden lameness, found their symptoms under laminitis, but when I asked around everyone said it probably wasn't that. I talked to my vet, he confirmed my fears and has them both on bute, four tabs a day each. I still needed to know more, how to help them, how to prevent this, how to heal what's been done, etc. I have searched everywhere, then I found this website and have been thoroughly blessed. Everything you have said I totally agree with, and not only will I share this with my farrier, a real good guy, and have him start trimming feet, but all my horses will be trimmed like this from now on. I have total confidence that when God created this awesome animal He knew what He was doing, and I choose to follow His intentions for their feet. We will start this process this week and I will let you all know how they are doing as time goes. Any helpful ideas, please let me know, thank you again,

Dry lot them all and get them back on hay during the spring. You have to introduce them slowly to lush pasture. Even if some of them have not foundered, they may be on the verge of it. UAA Gel is great for turning grass founder around after you have reduced their grass intake. Letting them go suddenly from eating dry hay to lush new grass is asking for trouble. The grass becomes less of a problem as it gets hotter and drier out. Another danger time is in the fall when it gets rainier, and the grass gets lusher again, but spring is the worst time. May is really prime time for founder in Ohio, anyway.

Not surprised to hear their grass founder was missed. I even took Max to a vet in the throes of grass founder who thought maybe he had been quicked during his most recent reset--although there had been 10 days between the reset and the onset of lameness. How could a vet miss something this obvious? This was back in '93.

Comments

Hi! My name is Molly. I am so happy to have come across your site. It offers so much hope to owners of foundered horses. I own 4 ponies and 3 of 4 have had bouts of laminitis. Grass has been the culprit every time. I am very interested in this trimming method, but am hesitant to attempt it myself. But I'm lucky if I can get a farrier out here every two months and with the number of affect animals I have it would be great for me to learn to do it myself. I am also highly interested in the effects of supplementing magnesium into a chronically foundered horse's diet. It seems to be a neglected part of a horse's diet. None of the supplements I have used have contained much if any. I haven't found much information regarding the importance of magnesium in a horse's diet. My ponies also have that cresty "founder neck". I went to a greenhouse today to get some dolomitic limestone. They came up with some in pellet form. Is it safe to use the pelleted form if I grind it up, or do they use some other harmful compound to get it in pelleted form?? And I was wondering with the high calcium content of limestone, doesn't that mess up the calcium to phosphorous ratio in the rest of the diet? Also, what sort of high magnesium mineral block is safe? I looked around at the local farm store and found a high magnesium mineral block called Vita Sweet, but it was a block designed for cattle. I've heard some of the cattle blocks are bad for horses. Sorry so many questions. Thanks so much for sharing all you've learned with us! My e-mail is:

Contact the dolomite manufacturer directly to find out if there are any additives in the pelleted dolomite.

If your ponies have cresty founder necks, and you live in an area of the country where farmers must lime their overly acid soil to get better crop growth, there is a strong likelihood that your animals would benefit from magnesium. Those "sweet mag" cattle blocks are what I have been using, and many other people I know, too. They do not hurt a thing, but are actually beneficial. Cattlemen here have to use them to supplement the new grass, which is deficient in magnesium, to prevent grass tetany in cattle. Grass tetany basically is caused by a magnesium deficiency. Much hay out there is grown on lime-deficient fields, so the hay itself does not provide enough calcium and magnesium. Purina 12/12 has ingredients that are almost the same as the high-mag cattle blocks, although it is in a loose form rather than a block.

Horses who have not had access to sweet mag blocks will absolutely devour them until they get enough of the minerals they instinctively crave, and then consumption will fall off. I have brought people these blocks, and one horse will finish off a 40 lb. block in a few months. Once they have had them a while, the same block will last for a year or two. When I put these blocks out in the run-in shed where I used to board, the pasture horses initially ran through these like buzz-saws.

In parts of the country where the soil is rich in minerals, like in arid regions, these blocks and the dolomite may not be needed. Ask your local Agricultural Extension Office what you local soil typically is deficient in. Whatever the soil is deficient in, the feed grown on it will have the same deficiencies as well.

Comments

Great site. Our horse has just begun to founder and we have been given many different opinions by people who have "been around horses for years". We were beginning to lose heart when we discovered your site and are pleased to see that your information has been researched and tested. We have begun trimming immediately and have noticed a mild improvement in his gait already. Thanks very much, ADAM, WENDY and of course SONNY.

I am assuming you are having grass founder, May being prime time around here for this....

Get some UAA Gel into him ASAP! Or whatever other activated charcoal product you can get your hands on. And drylot him. You need to attack this from both the mechanical and chemical angles. The faster you act, the less damage you will have. Keeping him moving constantly on soft ground is also key. Boots will also help make exercise less painful, but don't leave them on all the time. They enable exercise on harder ground while still keeping him comfortable.

Good luck, and keep me posted on your progress! Give Sonny a massage from me! :-)

Comments

I am a Texas Farrier and was "steered" to your website by my daughter, who is a web designer http://www.starrwolf.com and an avid horse owner.

After perusing the site to get the flavor of things, I find it very informative and [what I read was] right on point.

Laminitis is something which plagues every horse owner in one way or another, and good, solid diagnostic and treatment advice is hard to come by for the average horse owner w/o incurring *HUGE* Vet and/or Farrier bills. Your website helps to reduce that expense while doing the equine population a great service.

My daughter hopes to have my website online within the next few months and when it goes *live* it will have a link to your site.

If you or anyone wishes to email me I am online daily and respond promptly when I get the message.

I have a new link up that tells the story of a horse whose treatment was not effective even though the owner spent HUGE sums of money on him. He finally is getting turned around--dramatically--by Sabine Kells. Sabine uses mainly a hoof knife and rasp, lots of exercise, and herd living conditions outdoors to keep him moving. This humble approach is succeeding where vet schools failed--David is slaying Goliath here!

Comments

Congratulations on your site. I could eulogise about it for a long time, so have sent you an e-mail instead. I'll be back frequently.

Comments

Dear Gretchen, I can't thank you enough for your site. I am a first time horse owner, and got my saddlebred mare in March, she had foundered 3 years ago after being retired from the show ring, the owner didn't know to take her off the high protein diet,- Well she foundered on me this past weekend, I think due to the alfalfa feed she was grazing in (bad move on my part). I don't know the extent of her foundering, I had noticed her walking funny for a couple of days, and by the third day she was down and I knew something was really wrong!! The vet came out and put lily pads on her and put her on bute. I got the farrier out two days later to be trimmed - but I don't think he trimmed her good enough. thanks to you we are going to learn to trim ourselves. My farrier was a student of Lyle "Bergy" Bergeleen, but I had my doubts on this method seeing it is so controversial, but also please keep in mind that the Bergy method is good, but that doesn't always mean the student is!! but after reading your site i feel much more confident. It had been very hard to know who is right in this world of horse people. Vets and ferriers have different opinions and even farriers fight amongst themselves, how do you know who to listen to? Sonny also has the thick neck and butt, so I am going to try the dolomite ASAP. How much do you give the horse and how? Thank you so much for all your hard work, you have no idea how much it will and has helped us and hundreds more!!! :) Pam Horseluvr@hotbot.com

Comments

This is a wonderful, informative site. You had just the information I was looking for. Excellent. Bonnie Boetcher, showtell@inficad.com

Comments

Can a horse diagnosed with navicular changes in one foot be helped by going barefoot? A big, heavy, muscular horse (1,300 lbs.) with size 0 front feet? He's been ok with "corrective" shoeing, his feet are in excellent condition, but in my heart I feel he should be barefoot. Thanks for all the effort you've put into providing us with a truly helpful and informative web site! Bonnie B., showtell@inficad.com

Comments

Let me clarify that I am a Texas Farrier and not a Veterinarian. The following is my opinion and should not be interpreted as a substitute for qualified medical advice. <whew .. a mouthful>

Bonnie B asks, "Can a horse diagnosed with navicular changes in one foot be helped by going barefoot?"

Is this diagnosis stemming from x-ray? Further, is it a pre-purchase warning, or, a clinical problem?

Is it talking about the Nav bone showing "change" or "movement" which might become a problem later, or, is it a soon-coming clinical problem?

If the problem requires relief to the tendons, then, being unshod might not be the best approach from a support point of view.

Bear in mind that shoes are not a save-all and can easily aggravate the problem if the prep and setting are not done properly. By "properly" I mean with the guidance of an attending Vet and with the horse's hoof balance in mind.

If, on the other hand, the foot is fine for the most part and the "changes" are minor and can be managed and reduced via proper trimming and balance with low exertion, then, by all means leave the shoes on the shelf.

In closing, I will say that I advocate leaving a horse unshod whenever possible and practical. When I work on a horse I keep the horse's best interest in mind in everything I do and therapeutic shoeing needs to be with the guidance and blessing of the attending Vet.

Comments

Thanks for your comments, they are very much appreciated. I have owned this horse for 3 years, and he has always been "off" which ultimately led to unsoundness in his right front foot. X-ray of both front feet revealed "minor" navicular changes in the right foot only (some lollipops), no movement of the navicular bone. Shoeing by my very excellent farrier in egg bar shoes resulted in immediate relief for Dancer. During the course of the year that he wore egg bar shoes his feet remodeled MUCH better and stronger than they had ever been. This is a horse that was broke at 2, used hard until was 11, always shod long toe low heel because his gaits were smoother that way (he's a Foxtrotter). After a year in egg bar shoes we put him back in regular keg shoes (wide web), and for the past 9 months he's been sound that way. He's at a 52 degree angle. So, knowing all this, what do you think? Thanks! -- Bonnie B., showtell@inficad.com

Comments

Nancy states: "... I have a [3 yr old] mare who is not foundered or diagnosed Navicular ... with really long toes/undershot heels/dropped soles. I have kept her barefoot and trim her toes constantly, but have left the heels alone."

Nancy, no, no, don't leave those heels alone. Gretchen is absolutely correct in that if you leave the heels alone you'll be sacrificing adequate coffin bone support as well as allowing the foot to deteriorate by leaving the frog too high and avoiding proper expansion and contraction of the foot.

The frog area starts at the apex and runs back to the rear of the foot widening as it goes. Solid frog contact in weight bearing is essential to proper expansion and contraction of the foot which contributes to adequate blood circulation of the foot and leg, and is a key player in the big picture.

I recommend keeping a horse unshod whenever possible and practical and manage the foot with proper trimming. Among other things, proper trimming should include removal of sidewall flares (to the point of allowance if walls are thin), slight rounding of the horn edge to prevent cracks and damage, slight horn growth below the sole for weight-bearing, proper hoof-pastern axis, medial-lateral balance, and little toe, no sole growth removal.

Furthermore, I agree with Gretchen when she stated, "... The keys are lowering the heels, keeping the toes short and BACKED UP, and all edges well rounded. Do not pare off the sole callous at the toe."

I will add to this that "short" is not the same as "dubbed". When backing up the toe it shouldn't exceed the proper balance point of the hoof-pastern axis and "rounding" should only be a few degrees and not so drastic as to "dub" the toe.

Gretchen is correct in that the sole should not be cleaned out to expose new growth in either a barefoot or shod horse. The sole needs protection and as long as it does not interfere with placement of the shoe of a shod horse the sole growth should be left alone, and always left alone in a barefooted horse and allowed to slough off naturally.

When Gretchen states, "If your horse's feet are short-toe and high-heel, you will be more prone to get concussion problems, and a rough, short-strided, clumsy gait." As a Farrier I refer to this as "club-foot" and should be avoided at all costs. I have also heard it referred to as "standing a horse up" in some circles.

I will close by stating that Nancy is not alone in her misunderstanding of trimming technique. I will gladly assist any horseowner in learning how to trim their horse(s).

Comments

My husband and I have both read this article and found the information clear and concise. We own a Shetland mare of 7 years who was badly foundered before we purchased her. Her hooves were three inches tall, and "posty". We are using your method to lower the heels. Her toe doesn't need to be backed much, but we shave a little off the front each time we trim. We're able to trim every week because she's becoming more active and the hoof is pulling up. I am amazed at the rapidity of our progress and how much her posture and attitude have improved. This pony used fight being caught, but now willingly walks up when I have her halter. We have only taken about a half inch off, but I hesitate to trim too much for fear of making her too sore. I was wondering if we should leave a little of the "dead" sole, or if we should trim all of the way back to healthy hoof material at once. I hesitate to do that for fear of hurting her legs. Please let me know. Anna katieroo@odsgc.net

Comments

Gretchen, your entire website is fabulous, not only for its incredible content of information, but for the obviously huge amount of time you have dedicated to its creation.

I've lost two horses to founder in the past. One was saved by heartbars and gave me several more years of service. The other was euthanised upon rotation as he also had two other degenerative, irreversible hoof and leg problems. Now, unbelievably, I have yet another horse who inexplicably rotated about 4 degrees on one front foot a year after undergoing extremely radical resection from ground to coronary for a severe toe crack which was shearing at the coronary and had caused a column of dead laminae and P3 demineralization at its tip. Combining the trimming method I'd seen on your website along with a heartbar shoe, which I had faith in due to said previous experience, my horse seemed to be making great progress (after early abscessing problems, etc). To my horror, however, one year later, he recently suffered a bout of bilateral laminitis which is slowly improving with Bute and removal from pasture. He's now in a sandy lot with a tiny amount of grass, hopefully to be carefully reintroduced to pasture soon. The worst news now, is that x-rays taken two weeks ago (at first signs of his laminitis) reveal that his rotated P3 has yet to improve at all. Due to his many setbacks last year, his laminae continued to die, thus the rapid horn growth of this horse has nonetheless left him with live laminae only 2/3 of the way down. Of course, the hope here is that this leaves room for good things to yet occur.

So now, it's been two years of twice daily nursing/maintenance on this young (now 7), loveable, very talented, gentle giant (17H and 1400+lbs - probably part of his problem), Saddlebred, 5-gaited road/trail gelding. His disposition is what keeps me dedicated to saving him. I've gone through a half dozen Sabre Sneakers - wonderful invention by Sally Chamberlain(!) - because I don't turn him out without protection from losing the heartbar in the mud and wooded areas of our pastures. He comes in at night for its removal and to be able to lie down in a dry stall. He runs the aisle as well, for added exercise during his 8-10 hrs indoors. Now, though, I've switched (as I always do when he's got an open wound, e.g from his original surgery and again for resected sole abscess) to wrapping the foot in a half roll of Vetrap and applying a 4-layer thick sole of duct tape (which also comes off every night). I'm doing this now because his crack has redeveloped (I've since discovered his dam is plagued with a less severe version of the same thing) and is gaping open with each step - this time laterally - and I want to keep it clean. As before, he now sports a large plate across the crack to help stabilize it.

I've gone into all this detail here to see if anyone else has had experience with a lameness causing crack that defies all treatment. And also to say that my faith in the heartbar shoe has been somewhat shaken and I'm now considering your barefoot approach, although I know he'll be 3-legged lame again without it, so I'll need to follow your advice that I see regarding that subject.

Thank you for this mountain of information, Gretchen! It gives me renewed hope for my beloved "Thud".

"Thud's" case illustrates that heartbars and resections are not always the panacea they are presented as being.

If he is kept barefoot and his toes backed up into the white line, and this is CONSTANTLY MAINTAINED by 2-3x weekly trims, it will completely remove any leverage on the toe. As he has some rotation, anyway, this would be a good idea in that respect as well. No shoes can be reset 2-3x weekly, which is what it will take to constantly take all leverage off this toe. A barefoot approach allows you to do this.

You can just use his Sabre Sneakers, without heartbars, for exercise and turnout.

Personally, I would advise you to send him up to Canada to have Sabine Kells work on him, as she has been on Nova. The charges are quite reasonable for the excellent work they do up there. At the very least, do the phone/photo consultations.

Restoring hoof function via exercise and frequent correct trims will be the most promising road for Thud. Be prepared for him to be more sore after you start, however, Restoring circulation to the feet, which this will do, will also increase feeling--and the ability to feel pain. This could go on for a fewl months. You will also be looking at abscesses, in all likelihood. Still, it is a more promising approach. Obviously, the heartbars and resections have not worked if you have been doing this approach for 2 years with no improvement.

Comments

I have found the information to be very helpful. My horse has never foundered (knock on wood) but from the information you have presented, does possess the possibility (hard, cresty neck). He has been barefoot for almost a year now, love the results, although will purchase Jaime's book to work on the trim. Thank you for the wealth of information. Carmen ccannon@neo.rr.com

Comments

My name is Leslie Hamilton and I am working with Sabine and Nova. There is another seminar June 19/20. Please note that the photo you showed of the heels being lowered is before there was any trimming done, at that point, they were still 6.5 inches long!! If you look carefully, the heel ends a LONG way down. It appears low because of the angle, but look for the weight bearing point. You may want to point out that the finished trim left Nova with less than 1 inch of heel including the lateral cartilage. I have set up an e-mail for Sabine and I, if you wouldn't mind posting it for us, its: Eshopcanada@hotmail.com Thanks, Leslie Hamilton

Comments

Hi Gretchen, A friend pointed your site to me. It's extremely interesting and makes a lot of sense. Nails and shoeing must both restrict hoof growth and affect the insensitive laminae; going barefoot must be better for the horse's foot health. Correct and frequent foot trimming (shod or unshod) is vital to maintain the correct angle of the hoof - have you ever tried typing when your fingernails are too long?! Definitely every 4 weeks even for a normal horse though refitting nailed shoes every 4 weeks means a lot of nail holes in their hooves. Makes going barefoot and building up the sole toughness even more sensible an option. It's not just Lippizaners who don't wear shoes, many UK dressage horses are never shod, although worked only on soft squishy ground of menages, their hooves can splay. Sue Rogers, scr27@cam.ac.uk

Comments

I have been trimming my own horses for 30 years....maintaining a barefoot on all and trimming every 4 weeks (or whenever the foot started losing its shape..which could be sooner). My horses were previously kept on soil and although I had great feet on them, since my move to Idaho, I am seeing something very different! I live on a 'gravel bank' where the horses' feet are constantly filed as they fly over the acres chasing each other. Their soles and frogs are polished and hard...just as you had described. In fact, they are glossy! I don't have to trim them as often since the amount of exercise they get takes care of most of that for me. I am NOT a slacker...and am a fanatic about my horses appearance and care (I breed Arabians...the old fashioned kind). I get tired of farriers breaking appointments and got Easy boots for trail use. My horses run barefoot the rest of the time. Remarkable site...I will send others to see it!

Comments

Recently I purchased a 17 yr old Belgian mare from PA for riding and driving. Although I'd seen several photos of her prior to purchasing her, each one had shown her standing with her feet hidden behind hay or another horse. Upon her arrival here in exas, I saw she was foundered and had several abscesses in her hooves. Although it appears to be pretty mild to me, and she gets around her pasture quite well, the local vet and farriers tell me to put her down. She is not suffering and cruises about her pasture like she owns the place. they simply don't want to fool with her. I already have almost $2000 in this mare, and I'm not going to just give up because a pack of jaded old farts think if they can't fix it, no one can. Everything I've read here goes against everything I've ever been told for curing foundered houses, but it makes sense and I'm going to give it a go. Cross your fingers for us! Jade NRAJade@aol.com

This is not at all hopeless! Try the Strasser stuff and do the phone/photo consultations with Sabine Kells.

Jade sent me a photo of this mare's foot--not even sole penetration! And if she's getting around pretty well on top of it, why would everyone be in favor of euthanasia?

Comments

I found your article on founder and wild horse trimming very interesting and thorough. I use this method and shoe "By the Numbers" with special emphasis on the shape, frog contact, angle (Normally 54 Front 56 Rear) and breakover point. Woody Gray, grayl@accessus.net

Trying to aim for a specific toe angle can be a trap. I had a farrier doing Max before I started doing my own trimming who achieved that magic 53 degrees in the front with high heels instead of backing of the toe. If you back up the toe and lower the heels, the results should be within a decent range. Bergy does not worry too much about toe angle. Dr. Strasser does not dwell on it as much as trimming to position the coffin bone correctly to the ground and backing up breakover, to over-simplify. She and Jaime seem to disagree on toe angles, and I am not sure how this will be resolved, as they both endorse each other's work.

How can you have "emphasis on frog contact" when you are jacking the frog up off the ground with shoes? Afraid I don't understand this.

Comments

My mare is a stocky thing that has a cresty neck - she's not foundered (16 yo), but did have some on/off lamenes a few years ago that was diagnosed as degenerative navicular syndrome. However, after several months of being out, she was able to be put back in work with regular shoes. Of course, any misstep causes me to stare hard at her feet.

Where is the best place to start? She is a dressage horse, housed in a large paddock with run in shed. Our ring is pulverized stone, which wears steel shoes down so they can't be reset in 6 weeks. I've noticed that even shod, she gets "tender-footed" in deeper sand arenas or ones with smaller rocks. To be honest, her front heels are a little contracted.

The farrier comes to the barn fairly regularly ... is there something I can show him and say, "I want you to do this every 3 weeks?"

Well, thanks for a very thought provoking site. Good luck with all your animal companions.

Comments

Hi - I found your site while I was searching for information on torn suspensory ligaments. My mare is not foundered, but she has torn suspensory ligaments in both rear legs (long story). She was also lame on the left front at one point and the vet recommended egg bar shoes - he said it may be navicular. Anyway, I don't know if this would help her carry herself more comfortably. I do know that I'd like to learn how to do it myself. I have had a lot of trouble trying to find decent farriers that show up and do a good job. It's ten times harder to find one that will also set the front feet down frequently and not raise them to high while they are being shod (it shifts her weight to her rear and her back legs start shaking). I am in Austin, Texas, is there anyone around here that could teach me? Anyone within a days drive? I don't dare try it on my own!

Comments

Very informative. Am presently implementing the wild horse trim on a chronically foundered 17 year old competitive trail horse. Am thankful I have a willing farrier, open to new suggestions! Patricia J. Barr pbarr@netins.net

Comments

Very informative articles. Thanks for your time and input. I have a paint mare that has some form of laminitis or founder about every year in the Spring, when new grass is coming on. Farrier feels like keeping her shod all year long helps, but from your article, apparently not. We have been doing all the wrong things. X-Rayed her this past week and only have a 3-4 degree rotation, not too bad, but bad enough to make her sore and uncomfortable. Also she has had the thick neck for over a year now. This first appeared 2 years ago when she first foundered. I have printed out all 87 pages of your information and plan to put some of it to practice. Keep up the good work you are doing. Thanks.

Comments

Have been hearing about this method; thank you for an informative web site. Will be back to read in detail.

Dr. Liz Zabinski, DC member American Veterinary Chiropractic Association. e-mail: akcpk1@aol.com

Comments

I have a foundered mare and have learned a lot. I am going to show your article to my vet and farrier and see what we can do to help her. She also has a bowed tendon that we are working with, but she had them for a while before I got her, so we are doing a lot of trial and error. But your article has given me new "Hope" (my mares name is Hope) because we hoped she could pull through. She was in such bad shape when I got her that several people thought I should put her down, but she had such heart that I had to give her a chance. She has improved greatly. She is 15.2hh and is up to about 1000lbs., up from 600lbs. when I got her about 11 months ago. Now I will try some of the things in your article.

Comments

After spending 3+ hours reading and looking at pictures, I believe my appaloosa will be a sound horse once again. He was on bute 6 grams a day for just one week, when he developed a SEVERE case of impaction. In fact, so severe the vets would not even give odds on whether or not he would live. 6 days and 6 gallons of mineral oil later, and a few bouts of colic, he is back with us. Diagnosis says the bute caused him to quit drinking adequate amounts of water, thus causing impaction. Readers, beware of bute in large doses! We all but lost our horse. We intend to try wild horse trimming and will let you know the results. Thank you for a very informative web page and we'll visit you oiften.

Comments

Thank you so much for all of your helpful information. My mare foundered on April 13,1999 form my Vet administering her yearly shots. (Rabies). Within three hours after the shots she started to go lame, and I contacted the vet. She said to give her some bute and see if she was better in the morning. She quickly went down hil, and it's been a nightmare ever since. Unfortunately, she gave me very bad advice by telling me not to let the blacksmith trim her because she was too sore. So for 8 weeks my mares feet continued to grow, and all the Vet had to say was she was continuing to founder and that was very common. The truth is after reading your information, I should have have had her trimmed immediately. If I could have kept her toe trimmed back when this first happened she may not be in as bad of condition as she is now. I have since contacted another Vet, who agrees that I should have never been told to not let the Blacksmith trim her. Fortunately, I found your web site, and I'm taking control of this situation. She is only having her feet trimmed and all of your information has been given to the Balcksmith I am using, and he is in complete agreement with your methods. Thank you again. I only wish I had read your web page before.

Comments

I just read your article from start to finish, and am pleased to see that someone else agrees with me. I've have some really good luck treating foundered horses with pretty much the same method as you described. I arrived at this method after just reviewing x-rays and drawings of foundered horses' bones. I don't generally tell other farriers what I do on foundered horses, because I have discovered that most do not agree with the lowered heels. However, I've had pretty good luck with it, and they are all setting heart bars, regular bar shoes, and fancy (and time-consuming and expensive) pads.

I enjoyed reading your site, and might purchase some of the reference materials you indicated. Thanks for taking the time to share your info via the Internet!

Comments

How happy I am to have found your site. It is beautifully done. My 12 y.o. Morgan mare foundered for the 2nd time in April. I was aware of Jaime's "The Natural Horse," but had found it impossible in this SW corner of Colorado to get the farrier attention necessary. 2 months between farrier visits is considered good, and 3 or longer acceptable--even with a foundered horse. I do have a new farrier who might be willing, and have printed out a copy for him.

Meanwhile, I have had real good success in correcting rotation nutritionally and using herbal formulas for founder and laminits from www.meadowsweetacres.com and I am waiting for tinctures to rebalance metabolism plus hoof oil to detox and promote hoof health from Australian herbalist Robert MacDowell, www.herbaltreatment.com. Blood work as shown liver dysfunction and elevated (2x) Cortisol leading to a tentative diagnosis of Cushings. However she has none of the other clinical symptoms.

In addition I have her on Advanced Biological Concepts ABC Plus digestive tract nutritional pack, and Hoof formula with a 1/4 cup of organic cider vinegar. I am amazed at the amount of B Vitamin mix she has consumed. She has free choice vitamin, mineral, detox blend, kelp & blue green algae. In 5 weeks the correction in her right fore was from 7 to 2 degrees and in the left 6 to 5.

This year the mare had just been shod. The farrier took her really short and did pare the sole. She had been sound for 10 months, barefoot for the winter, and ridden barefoot in the canyons. This was her 2nd shoeing of the season. I moved her and rode her lightly. She appeared to have pulled a shoulder muscle--too much bucking and playing--confirmed by the farrier. And had concussion-foundered within 10 days per the Vet. Since she had been trimmed so short we did not pull shoes. My Vet gave acepromazine & bute, used a foam fill to support the coffin bone, and kept her in a small shavings-bedded paddock. After waiting 9 weeks, I changed farriers. She does now have shoes, with the intent of more frequent trims. She is still way too long all around. I am hoping on reading your information that he will be willing to follow the wild horse trim, and I want to let her go barefoot.

I have done some light round pen work with her, and rode her yesterday on soft dirt for about 15-20 mins. There is no sign of lameness or any soreness. I believe that with the help in these pages and following both Jaime's and Bergy's directions that full recovery is possible.

This mare does have a fair crest and it is as hard as a rock. She is overweight, though not obese. I have had her 9 years. She doesn't sweat easily, and the only way to keep her trim is long hours of work over many miles. Impossible to do foundered. So I am most interested in the magnesium, dolomite possibility.

Comments

Hi, Gretchen, I have really enjoyed your site. We have a foundered 2-yr.-old, that I am going to write to you about. I found a lot of things stated here that I believe to be really interesting, and I am willing to try them.

Comments

I would like to say that your site is excellent. It provides extremely detailed and good information. I am currently in the beginning with a battle of founder (grass founder we believe). We have caught it fairly early. Our farrier decided to keep him barefoot, but I had no idea about wild horse cuts. I knew nothing about it until I read what you have offered. I would like to thank you for sharing your experiences and information.

Comments

I really found quite a lot of information on your website - information that is useful and informative is a good thing! I have a friend with a founder situation in a pony that has become chronic, frustrating and expensive for her to treat. I downloaded your information and will forward it to her in the hopes that she and Bambi can find a workable solution to their problem.

Comments

Hello. My name is Mary and I could use your help. I recently adopted a horse who is in serious condition, due to neglect from his previous owners. When I adopted him and my stallion, both from the same place, I was not properly informed of their true health conditions. My gelding is the one in serious condition. I had to take him to the University of Florida's vet school, where they first told me it would be better to put him down. I fell in love with both horses the moment I met them and vowed to them that, should they ever become mine, I'd take care of them and do the best I could for their happiness. I have found a small handful of doctors who are currently doing what they can, as well as the university's farrier, to save his life. He has severe foundering/laminitis/white line disease in both front feet. There is a 25% rotation in the right front foot and a 20% rotation in the left front foot. Both have dropped slightly. Due to negligance of the previous owner, the white line disease has infected and deteriorated a majority of the hoof on both feet. The farrier has done a partial resection on both and has him on premolded pads that I must change every other day and let the pads and his feet air out. I walk him around, on lead line, for about 15 minutes a day.......two of the vets said I shouldn't let him out at all. One of the vets, who specializes in holistic medicines and is helping my gelding with acupuncture, says I should walk him around for 1/2 hour to an hour a day. I am afraid. My gelding has NEVER been allowed to walk around outside for 11 years and spooks very easily at things. I love to get him walking around, since I know it helps with circulation and mental stimulation, among other things, but when he spooks, I'm afraid he'll cause more damage to his feet, since all he has on them are pads held on by elastic tape. Please, I am trying to save this sweet horse and keep my other horse, my stallion (who has a rotation/founder in his front left foot with bad white line disease as well). Any information you can provide to assist me in saving these two boys who, like all animals, deserve a better life than what they had, I'd greatly appreciate. We don't have a lot of money, but we want to provide the best we can to save these two boys. Please, help us. Our email address is crystal@totcon.com and my name is Mary.

Comments

Thank you for the information and photos you sent over. I made contact with the owners and hopefully things are on their way to being under control.

I just went through a *huge* ordeal helping a Nebraska stable owner through a serious "Selenium Toxicity" situation wherein the hooves were sloughing off in pieces. I put them in touch with the Texas A&M Univ. Vets I work with who can take it from where I left off.

Keep up the great work you're doing with your website here. My new "Ask The Farrier" site is up now and I sure have been busy fielding questions from horse owners and trainers from all over the world.

I was contacted through my website by a stable owner who had such a bad problem with their horses aggravated by bad Farriers that they ended up hiring me for a consultation. After the better part of the weekend spent with their horses things are well on there way to recovery. I also referred them to your site to read up on the great info here.

I was actually floored, Gretchen, when I received an email from a lady in Sweden stating that she wanted to contact the "... famous Eli Wolf." In later emails she went on to tell me that I had a pretty good reputation in her Country. Strange thing about it, Gretchen, is I have never been to her Country, yet, I am held in high regard. Flattering in the least. <smile>

Wait a minute! I never mailed any photos or referrals to you. This is my guestbook, not a billboard for people to advertise themselves. The guestbook is a place for people to share their experiences, or to ask for help. I do endorse some products and individuals, based on good experiences with them, but nobody pays me to do it. Keeps me honest!

Your web site makes very plain that you endorse shoeing with either heartbars or shoes nailed on backwards for founder. Both these scenarios "work" because they restrict circulation even more than regular keg shoes. Reduced circulation reduces feeling and apparent pain levels. Heartbars and shoes nailed on backwards are nailed on further back, and both restrict heel expansion even more than regular shoeing. The horse may be more apparently comfortable, but you don't make a lot of progress in terms of structural improvements over the long haul. The best frog-support shoeing scenario, in terms of allowing more hoof function, is mushroom-shaped TheraFlex pads put on with tips. What I am advocating may not be as comfortable for the horse for some time, but will actually result in more structural imrpovement over the long haul.

I also do not agree that bute is the main thing to give during an acute episode of laminitis. Your web site seems to endorse bute, but not much else, for laminitis. I used to think bute was the main thing to use, too, until I found out how much more effective activated charcoal is. Bute still has uts uses, but using the charcoal at the onset enables you to use a lot less bute. Considering the stomach problems some horses can have with bute, this is a good thing. I recently heard from a trainer I know in Ohio who was unable to find UAA Gel, and got a similar product, Toxi-Ban, from Jeffers. She was delighted with how fast it knocked out the episode. Everyone who has actually tried activated charcoal that I've heard from has had good experiences with it.

Comments

I have thoroughly enjoyed this article, and have every intention of showing it to my farrier and getting this started. I already have six horses, all barefooted, and all pretty much pasture pets.

My farrier hesitated when I had him pull all of the shoes six months ago, because I was only riding 1 or 2 times a week for short periods. He said that one of my horses shows (by her growth patterns) a history of founder, and hated to see her go barefooted.

Well, I will learn to do the mustang trim pronto... and show him a thing or two about healthy feet (not to mention the hassle of him being late/no show/reschedule all of the time).

Comments

Your website is the best. I had no hope for my mare until I read it. My mare foundered at a breeding barn because they were overfed her. My mare has rotated 10 to 15 degrees. One of vets in my area wanted me to put her down, another one had a very bad out come and another one thinks she will be ok, but it will be along road to go. Your website has given so much hope. Thank your for that. She is my best friend and it will be hard for me to put her down, but I don't want her to be in pain. This has been going on for about 6 weeks now, and she is still in much pain. She has good days and bad ones. Today is a bad one. I have ordered both Dr. Strasser's and Jaime Jackson's books. If you have question on different things on this subject do you mind ansewering them? Because boy, I have them. My mare's toe angles are about 60 degrees right now and with a square toe. About every other day she is down for about 8 hours and up for about 2 to 4 hours. She is in about 2 feet of shavings, on nitro, tagament, 4 tab of bute and banamine as needed and she needed it two times today. Once about 3 days ago. I hate these days. I'm not a crying person, but boy, it is hard not to on days like these one. She also has stopped drinking unless I hold the bucket up to her; this is the only way that I can get her to drink. I have tried everything to get her to do on her own, but it does not work . With her taking all the meds they tell me that she needs drink a lot, but that is least of her problem right now. Thank so much for these website. It looks like you have put much time into it and I cannot thank you enough.

Paul Olson 619 East Garden Farm Rd Rossville, Ga. 30741 706-861-4603 PIZZA@aol.com

This sad case illustrates what I am talking about when I say that trying to treat laminitis mainly with drugs is not the answer, and actually dangerous. This mare, despite the heavy drug doses, got more painful, was down a lot and quit eating and drinking. She was put down ten days later. I am not sure if all the NSAIDs had ulcerated her stomach, or if she had kidney and liver overload. The fact that she was not drinking much, especially in weather in the upper 90's, was alarming. Even a well horse only drinking less than a bucket a day in hot weather will soon get sick.

I wish we could have tried some of the mechanical means on her earlier, and that she had been treated with charcoal as soon as he got her out of the breeding farm. I feel very sad about how things turned out.

Comments

I have a small, Arab mare that has a propensity to gain weight. She is also a little Hitler, and dominates our other horse, which is a giant Friesian. Needless to say, she has gotten more than her share, and the veterinarian said that she is "trying" to founder. She is not showing any of the extreme signs of founder that you have on your pages. She is just tender on her feet.

Ironically, I believe what has saved her feet is that she is barefoot on hard, rocky soil. (Not a lot of grass - lots of decomposed granite. They have about 3 acres to move around on. There are some sandy places where she can stand to get away from the hard ground.) I stopped trimming her about two years ago and just let her go natural - as the shoer kept coming out and telling me that she didn't need to be done. (I have had the vet look at her feet many times just to make sure that they are o.k.) I use Easy Boots when we go riding. This approach is kind of strange where I live - most everyone has shoes on their horses, and, I know, think that I'm am either weird or cheap. I also don't trim their hair anywhere - so they are pretty natural. ( I guess I was way ahead of my time and didn't know it?)

My little mare is on only grass hay now, and no snacks. (The horses were getting half grass, half alfalfa, handfuls of grain, carrots or apples for treats. They got to a bale of alfalfa through the fence, and I think that this is what put her over the edge.) She is not happy. However, she is moving better and not quite so ouchy. I had to explain to her that life is not fair.

My question is this. Her neck is cresty. I am interested in the supplements that encourage reducing this phenomenon. My vet says that she is just fat, and that we have to get the weight off. However, if there is something that can accelerate this or remove the toxins from these fatty areas of her body - I'm interested. (However, I will tell you that it sounds a lot like Thigh Cream to me.)

I'm also concerned about having something to mix the supplements in. I don't want to mix it with grain for obvious reasons. Are the Magnesium salt blocks the same as the brown, mineral salt blocks?

Gretchen - One more question. I called the Sneaker person in Arizona with no answer - I haven't tried evening yet. What will he require to make boots for me?

I'm very interested in these, as the Easy Boots are somewhat difficult to get on and off, we lose them on the trail, they cut into the side of the hoof wall, and are work to fit properly. If I could get something custom made that would go on and off easily and that would stay on while riding, I would be very happy.

I was thinking that I could just send him what he needed to get started. Does he take credit cards?

Frank is out during the day. You have to call him in the evening. I don't think he has an answering machine or voice mail yet.

He will send you impression foam blocks and a video on how to make the impressions and showing horses using Horsneakers at all gaits, in mud and water, etc. You then make the molds, and mail them back. After he gets the molds he makes the boots from these molds.

His price was $100 per boot because it is so labor-intensive. Many different materials are laid up by hand after the positive is made from the mold. I spoke with him recently, and he said that he has had a breakthrough on one of the components, the soft lining, which can now be laid up on the form in layers rather than cut and fitted out of sheet goods, which took a lot more time. So he is thinking he could possibly come down a bit on the price. How much, I don't know yet.

Don't get discouraged. These are far and away the best boots available, and you can get them resoled if need be. Every other boot I have tried has problems. Like you, I had Easy Boots soring horses. Same with Swiss Boots. Both can be tinkered with to improve fit, but Horsneakers already fit, and are the most comfortable alternative out there. Will email you privately with some people who are using them and are happy with them.

Comments

I rescued my mare 1 yr. ago. She is 15 yrs. old and came to me in very bad shape. She has a bowed tendon on her left front leg along with being foundered. She breaks over at the ankle and her hoof doesn't grow correctly. It looks like the hoof you have pictured of Nova 3-17-99. Except she doesn't have that much toe. My farrier and I started the wild horse trim about 4 weeks ago. It has helped. When we first started trimming her heels she didn't break over so bad, but it doesn't seem to be working as well now, but you can see her trying to hold the leg straight. She IS a little better than when we started. I don't know if she breaks over because of being foundered or because of the bowed tendon. I keep her leg wrapped for support but I don't know if there is something else I should do. And because she keeps her ankle forward it doesn't let her toe grow out. My vet has suggested we brace her ankle and build up her toe. I know it will take time for the hoof to grow out, but her toe has been this way for as long as I've had her. And the way she holds her ankle won't let the toe grow out. I've tried wrapping the ankle to try to hold it straight but she still breaks over and the wrap ends up rubbing the back of her hoof on the coronary band leaving sores. Please, if you have any suggestions they would be a great help. Like I said I know it takes time but there must be something I can do to help. Thank you, Tracey McCostlin

I forgot to tell you my mare is on open pasture with other horses. She still spends a lot of time laying down. She has to walk to get water and grain like you suggest and she does spend some time grazing. She also gets farriers formula and extra biotin. I also soak her right hoof because she keeps abscessing in that hoof. She was like one other horse you talked about .She would almost fall on my farrier when he would trim her. It gets really bad sometimes because of her ankle. I stand and hold her ankle straight when he trims her so that she doesn't fall. Should she get more exerise? Is there a diet she needs to be on? She is only on sweet feed now, but I've tried several different things. She is very slender, but not poor. My vet suggest not to get her to heavy till her feet are better. Sorry that I keep going on, but you are the first person that understands that I'm trying to make her better. Everyone else thinks she would be better off being put down. To me that IS NOT something I would do. I can't get to Canada; is there some one in my area that might be able to help? I live in central Alabama.

Actually, wrapping and casts can create major circulation problems. Dr, Strasser has straightened out cases that were greatly aggravated by casts. When I do more additions to my web page in August, I will include some of her case photo case studies, which include a case with the whole coronet and fetlock blown up like a balloon from the circulation being impaired with a cast.

A case this complicated you should at the very least be doing phone/photo consultations, with either Sabine Kells (fax: 250-248-8838) or Jaime Jackson 870-743-4603. Jaime is in Harrison, Arkansas, which is closer to you. The absolute ideal scenario, if cost were no object, is flying the horse to Dr. Strasser, who would be your best bet. Shipping that far is really expensive, though. Maybe you can work something with Jaime.

Part of the problem you are running into is that realigning joints that have been out of alignment for so long will definitely get your mare sore. Restoring circulation a bit so the hoof can finally begin to repair itself is why you are getting more abscessing. As miserable as abscesses are, they are often a sign of progress. We have had faster results drawing abscesses out soaking in water and apple cider vinegar than water and epsom salts. I've used generous amounts of vinegar, though, maybe a pint in each half-full bucket.

Dr. Strasser is working on a case right now where the legs had been twisted out of alignment several years by founder and neglect--sled runner hooves. She tells us that this pony will generate sound feet faster than the joints will remodel into a correct alignment. This is what you are facing as well. Not hopeless, but it will be a long project for joints to remodel enough.

I do not think she should only be on sweet feed and a little grazing. I would feed her grass hay as well.

Comments

Thank you for the suggestions. I will try the photo/phone consulation. And I'm in for the long haul. I've been trying to help her for a year and she hasn't given up and neither will I. You've given me new hope. It is really great what you do for horses and their owners who do not want to believe there is nothing else they can do. THANK YOU!!!!!!

Comments

Hey, Gretchen, I have been very busy with work and taking care of my mare. I can not thank enough again. I think that I'm on the road to recovery, but I'm going to say it too loud. My mare is still laying down all night, but has deceased it some. To about 6 to 8 hours. She also started to walk better. I will email you in more detail at a later time. Thank you again Paul Rossville, ga PIZZA@aol.com

I LOVED ALL THE INFORMATION I FOUND ON HOW TO TREAT FOUNDER. MY PAINT MARE, MO, HAS NOT FOUNDERED BUT I SURE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING. I RIDER MO BAREFOOT ON THE BACK AND HAVE SHOES ON FRONT. I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE MY FARRIER TRIM HER WITH THE NATURAL WILD WAY SO I CAN GO BAREFOOT ALWAYS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW I CAN HELP PREVENT MY HORSE FROM BEING FOUNDERED. THANK YOU, SANDIE MOSANDIE@EXCITE.COM

During the periods when Max was barefoot AND ridden a minimum of 5 miles a day, plus on turnout 24/7, he had no grass founder problems. This supports Dr. Strasser's contention that lots of exercise and barefootedness will go a long way towards preventing laminitis because these things enhance circulation.

Horses who are fat, under-active, and whose heels are contracted via shoeing or improper trimming, are more vulnerable. Jaime Jackson was hard pressed to find any foundered horses in the wild.

De-shoeing your horse will entail many months of adjustment, though. The hoof horn and soles of shod horses are generally softer than horses who have been barefoot for a long time. You might get Jaime Jackson's newest book, "Horse Owners Guide to Natural Hoof Care." He talks about this transitional process in this book. In the transition period, you will probably need removable boots to ride in, which you can keep off the rest of the time. If you are going to ride on rough terrain, it is very helpful that the horse be pastured on similar terrain. His feet will not adapt well to gravel roads if he is living in soft mud all the time, for instance. Hope this helps.

Comments

I have visited your site for the past two years. We have had 2 ponies, each of which suffered from chronic laminitis. With the first pony, we did all the "textbook" treatments. The vet did x-rays and made recommendations to the farrier. The farrier did the prescribed trim and applied reverse shoe. Each of these shoeings caused the pony extreme pain, many abscesses formed where the nails went into the hooves, and the pony was restricted to a rubber-matted stall and given bute daily. The pony was miserable in this confinement. We ultimately refused to have him shod due to the pain and infection. We kept his feet medicated with a poultice and wrapped in disposable diapers for protection. After six months of intensive care, much expense, and much pain to the pony, we lost him to colic. We would never do this again.

The pony we have currently was being treated much as you have described, with encouraging results. Unfortunately, all farriers seem to start out claiming that they are "responsible and conscientious - not "like the other farriers," but, sadly, end up just like"the other farriers." So the "good" farrier who promised to help keep her trimmed has allowed other priorities to come first. Sometimes, we think, farriers are a bit "macho" and prefer to shoe rather than just trim. Anyway, we realize it is up to us to save this pony. My husband is well-capable of trimming her with guidance. He trims our other 4 horses and 4 donkeys regularly. At this time, the pony is kept on a grass hay diet with mineral block in an area with 2 miniature donkeys. We feed her on wet, muddy ground to keep her feet cool. We are grappling with "too long" hooves because we waited for the farrier who broke his promise. Thank you for maintaining this page - we believe in this approach and appreciate any help.

I sure do know what you mean about not being able to rely on these guys to show up! If my farriers had been more reliable, I never would have been forced to learn how to do things myself--and never would have put up this web page.

Paul Olson, who has comments on this guest book, also had the shoes nailed on backwards, and the toes set up at 60 degrees. Since pulling the shoes and lopping 2 inches off the heels, his mare is doing a lot better. Sorry this shoes nailed on backwards approach was used on the pony you lost, and I am really sorry to hear of your loss.

I really do urge you to do the phone/photo consultations with either Jaime Jackson or Sabine Kells. I cannot do a very good job of advising you without actually seeing photos of your pony's feet, either.

I know it's scary doing your own orthopedic trimming, and I was leery of diving in myself, but it has definitely paid off. Sounds like your husband will do just fine.

Dr. Strasser and Sabine are tentatively planning to do a tour of several USA locations in May. I urge your husband to attend one of these clinics, as the trim is a complicated form that is difficult to describe adequately on a 2-D medium like my web page. Will email you privately with new material that will be added to the web page in 2-3 weeks.

Comments

Excellent work: I have been trying to find out the dosages for the dolomite, apple pectin, UAA, etc... for horses and if they are any different - for ponies. Exactly what and how much? I have many friends that are VERY interested to hear!

Pony doses are around half a horse dose--proportionately according to weight. Dolomite in a horse is around 1 Tbsp a day. Contact Nancy Filbert about the apple pectin. A pony dose of UAA Gel is half a 150 cc. tube, followed by the other half an hour later. I have heard from one lady who had great results just buying some activated charcoal from a water filter company, and gave her horse a couple of doses, but I don't know how much she gave. That, plus better trimming, got him much better in just days....he is now having discipline problems in the round pen. :-)

Comments

Aloha from Hawaii! We are thinking of taking on a beautiful Peruvian Paso mare that has just foundered. So finding your site was extremely helpful. Of course, the risks of taking this on are daunting, but reading your site has given me more hope. She is in the prime of her life at 7 yrs old, and we were devastated to learn of her condition. Any input would be really appreciated.

Comments

A very excellent article! I have a mare that foundered in the hind left foot, and although I have contacted many veterinarians and farriers, all have said about the same thing...put her down. This article has shown me that there is still hope for her!!! Thank you.

Comments

Thank you for the information. I have gotten Jaime's book and Dr. Strasser's. My 22 yr. gelding has a dropped coffin bone, as well as damage from an injury. (He sheared off the inside of his left front foot, severing nerves and arteries. He was not expected to live or every be sound again. Through nutrition, homeopathy, accupucture, magnets etc., he grew back a foot even though his coronary band was also severed. He was even sound and rideable until he foundered. Now he is ok-ish and in bar shoes.) True to predictions, he is becoming more uncomfortable (for about a year he was golden with the bar shoes). I know this barefoot thing makes complete sense, but I am TERRIFIED to pull the shoes. (He's not really sound, but he is better than he was). They live with freedom 24 hours, a large pasture (7acres), but my schedule does not allow me to walk him everyday. If he cannot get the frequent walks and trims, should I still consider this?? Strasser's book seems to say that he would need the special flooring of the clinic; and that I should not consider this if the walks cannot happen. Please advise.

I urge you to consult with Jaime Jackson 870-743-4603 or Sabine Kells (fax--250-248-8838) about this transitional period. Congratulations for all the progress you have already made in spite of such daunting injuries!

If your horse is free to move, and has company of other horses, and enough grass to motivate him to move grazing, that will probably be better than you just doing a few walks in hand. I don't see this as a problem, unless your pasture is really hard and rocky.

Removable hoof boots will help considerably. When you pull the shoes, you will get more soreness for a while, and it will take time to toughen his feet up, but it is the most promising approach in the long run.

Comments

What a nice and informative web page. We just had a horse consume too much grain and hay and are working to prevent founder. Any advice to keep horse from becoming lame would be helpful. The vet gave him mineral oil for stomach, Banamine for the acids, and anti-histimine for several days after. He still does not look right, but shows no sign of lameness. What kind of exercise should we be giving him. He was being worked out 3-4 times week for 1-2 hours each time, plus horseshows and trail riding. He is my baby and I almost can't stand it, he looks to me for help and I am lost. Thanks for the page, listening and your help.

Our farm name is Pleasantly Gaited Farm Home of Rocky Mountain Horses & One Red Mule

I am in favor of a dose of activated charcoal to clean the drugs and gut toxins out, and keeping him trimmed right and moving.

Comments

Fascinating - any idea if Horsesneakers are available in UK? (or would the manufacturers post?)

I am sure you could get Horsneakers mailed to you in the UK. They do everything via UPS in the States. They mail you a video in VHS format and blocks of impression foam. After you make your molds, you mail the foam back to them. After they make your sneakers, they are mailed back.

I don't know if they are set up to take credit cards yet, but they have been taking checks and money orders. Discuss this with them. Call in the evenings, Arizona time--no answering machine.

This is what someone wrote me recently: "Frank was here on Sunday and took impressions of Dancer's feet for Horsneakers. He said he was walking on the soles of his feet and trimmed the quarters so they won't touch the ground. He also saw signs of founder in two feet and said he may have foundered some time ago as well, although not too badly. Dancer is walking MUCH better now. Also, they tried a pair of Sneakers on him from one of their horses. Amazing. I took Dancer for a walk, and after about 10 seconds used to get accustomed to the feel, Dancer walked with tremendous reach in front. I've known this horse for over 6 years, have owned him for 3 years, and have NEVER seen him reach like that in front. So this does, indeed, look very promising."

They are a superior product, and will greatly ease the transition to barefootedness. Eventually, you will only toughen feet up by working on hard ground, but in the earlier stages of transition to barefoot, they enable you to trail ride much earlier. They absorb concussion, while shoes seem to magnify it; for driving your horse on roads, they will work really well. Some carriage companies have used these successfully.

BTW, Jane Harbidge, who just was at a 2-day Strasser clinic, would like to hear from you. She would like to get together some people in the UK interested barefoot horses and possibly having Dr. Strasser over for a clinic. Her email address is on my homepage.

Comments

I am treating my 6 year-old mare for unexplained founder. Symptoms appeared about a month ago and presented first much like muscle soreness. After 10 days of dealing with her as if she was sore and having her shoes reset (without any resistance on her part) she started to be significantly lame. A vet exam could not conclusively diagnose her problem, and initial x-rays were negative. A week later, her front feet had 3 and 6 degrees of rotation. We are now up to 8 and 9 degrees rotation in the front and seeing 1 and 2 degrees in the rear feet. The vet has treated her aggressively with Bute, Banamine, Isoxuprine, Ace and nitroglycerine. Thyroid supplement was added to cover that possibility (testing on Bute would have no value). Shoes were left on initially and pulled just last week with increased soreness (she had them on for 2-plus years-? tenderness due to newly bare feet). She is dropping the soles of her front feet as well.

I found and have read your site at least 10 times in the past week and am more and more convinced its the way to go. Two questions come to mind: first, can this approach be taken if the horse is still acute and experiencing further rotation? Second, how can I (a totally inexperienced hoof trimming horse owner) learn this method in the absence of any clinics? - it seems I just missed the last one in June.

My horse, our relationship and dressage are EVERYTHING to me. I am willing to do what it takes to preserve her for whatever level of QUALITY life I can provide for her.

I have referred my vet to your website - the information is invaluable. I hope to get my farrier to look at it, too. Thanks for taking the time and effort to put this out there for the rest of us to take advantage of. You have given me hope where I thought there might be none.

"I am treating my 6 year-old mare for unexplained founder. Symptoms appeared about a month ago and presented first much like muscle soreness. After 10 days of dealing with her as if she was sore and having her shoes reset (without any resistance on her part) she started to be significantly lame. A vet exam could not conclusively diagnose her problem and initial x-rays were negative. A week later, her front feet had 3 and 6 degrees of rotation. We are now up to 8 and 9 degrees rotation in the front and seeing 1 and 2 degrees in the rear feet. The vet has treated her aggressively with Bute, Banamine, Isoxuprine, Ace and nitroglycerine."

I am alarmed at the sheer volume of drugs she is getting. Not long ago, I heard from a someone I had been talking with that he wound up putting his mare down. She was on all the drugs you mentioned, plus Tagament to help prevent ulcers that the bute and banamine can cause. She started to quit eating and drinking, and getting more sore. I believe that her being on so many drugs and in extremely hot weather--and hardly finishing one bucket a day--had a lot to do with the fact that she didn't seem to quit foundering.

"Thyroid supplement was added to cover that possibility (testing on Bute would have no value). Shoes were left on initially and pulled just last week with increased soreness (she had them on for 2-plus years-? tenderness due to newly bare feet). She is dropping the soles of her front feet as well."

You cannot leave her completely barefoot at this point. You need to tape pads on that will offer frog support. Actually, some people have had good results in the acute phase making a heartbar-like shape out of thick, somewhat firm padding and just tape it on. Or taping on mushroom-shaped TheraFlex pads. I do not advocate nailing anything on, as it restricts movement and circulation. But taping something on is more flexible, and also allows you to trim really often. Frank Orza has made some very padded boots that have made horses like this more comfortable.

It would really help to figure out what triggered her laminitis in the first place. Are her heels contracted? Has she been exposed to anything toxic, like walnut in sawdust bedding? Was she stressed right before? Did she colic or was she on antibiotics? Is she fat? Was it grass founder? So many questions to be asked! Hard to get her under control if you have no idea what set her off.

One caveat--anything that quickly and greatly increases blood flow in--nitroglycerin, or the kind of trimming I am talking about--must never be done on a horse that is allowed to not move for hours, or to be stalled. Constant movement, even if it is just very slow schlepping around eating various piles of hay in a sandy arena, is vital. You can do more harm than good by increasing the blood flow into the feet, but not help it go back up the leg via movement. Dr. Frederick had his best results on horses kept in soft, sandy arenas with hay in various piles and the water at the other end. Another horse in with them also a plus. His worst results were horses who were kept stalled on thinly bedded stalls with rubber mats over concrete--ie, a hard surface, and no movement. You need a soft surface, freedom of motion, and a reason for them to move. In addition to being hand walked as often as you can manage.

"I found and have read your site at least 10 times in the past week and am more and more convinced its the way to go. Two questions come to mind: first, can this approach be taken if the horse is still acute and experiencing further rotation? Second, how can I (a totally inexperienced hoof trimming horse owner) learn this method in the absence of any clinics? - it seems I just missed the last one in June."

Call Sabine Kells. Maybe you can get your farrier to work with you. You must back up the toes and lower the heels and bars....and keep them that way. I am in favor or taping on pads for now, and/or housing her on a soft surface, like a sandy arena.

"My horse, our relationship and dressage are EVERYTHING to me. I am willing to do what it takes to preserve her for whatever level of QUALITY life I can provide for her.

"I have referred my vet to your website - the information is invaluable. I hope to get my farrier to look at it, too. Thanks for taking the time and effort to put this out there for the rest of us to take advantage of. You have given me hope where I thought there might be none."

Feel free to call me at 740-674-4492. Sabine will have a fit when she hears how much medication your horse is on, though. I hope you will be able to back off on some of this stuff. Your horse can go toxic on all this load. I sure hope she is drinking a lot. I appreciate your position, and wanting to do everything you can to alleviate pain. But I have been hearing from people whose horses quit eating and drinking after being on high drug levels, probably due to ulcers and/or liver and kidney overload. I know you are trying to pull out all the stops, but I want to warn you that too many drugs in combination can be a problem.

Standing them in a stream, or cool mud, or cold-hosing, can also have some anti-inflammatory effects without toxic side effects. I have noticed when Max is had heat in his feet, after I walk him 15-20 minutes, the feet cool back down, suggesting that the increased circulation from movement is helping him clear inflammation in his feet.

The horse can only take slow walking on soft ground and with pads taped on for some time. Concussion is to be avoided for quite a while, as are hard, concussive surfaces without boots or padding--or trotting or cantering.

Comments

I'm enjoying your web site - haven't had time to read it all the way through yet, but will print it out for my farrier. My Peruvian mare foundered two weeks ago after being trimmed (too much sole off). This web site is giving me hope. (She's also on a diet). Tomorrow, I will recheck her heel height and roll her toes. Also plan on getting the books mentioned and checking out Horsneakers (Tombstone is right down the road from me). Thanks again.

Comments

Just read your 8/5 reply to another post - it raised some questions in my mind. (This is re my Peruvian mare who foundered two weeks ago.) We gave her bute (2 gm/day x 3 then 1 gm/day x 3), she's now off it. She is still getting aspirin, approx 5 gm/day. We initially taped on compressible foam pads, replaced them once. I took them off last nite as the tape was collecting a lot of stuff, they had shifted, and I didn't have replacements (they are coming in the mail from my vet's office). She is in a 12x16 stall, deeply bedded with shavings, and walks around quite a bit. She is FAT with a real "camel hump" on her crest, and the thick pads like your picture of the cresty mare. A year ago March, she aborted twins and retained one placenta. No apparent problems resulted at that time. We did have her on Thyro-L for about 4 months with no noticeable change in her body condition. My vet wanted to do some more blood work through BET Labs before putting her back on it. Perla came up lame Saturday after being trimmed on Friday - her trim was overdue. I asked my farrier to pull her shoes and shorten her toes. The vet (on Sat) said there was almost no sole (ouch!). X-rays showed slight rotation (I don't know degrees, but think 5 or less). I did wonder if this might have started when she retained the placenta. I am currently feeding only Bermuda hay, with approximately one cup of Purina Equine Senior to mix the aspirin in. (She had been getting Bermuda hay, approx 3# alfalfa pellets and 2-3 cups Equine Senior a day.) She also gets one scoop (1 oz) HT-20 biotin supplement daily, 1/2 cup vinegar on her hay (have found it does help with fly control) and Sand Clear psyllium crumbles on M-W-F (have been using this rather than a 1x/month purge schedule). We live in Arizona - sand, high calcium water, never feed bran per the advice of several area vets. Questions: As long as she seems comfortable, would you forego the pads, or continue them to provide sole/from support? Her sole is right down there on the ground. I wanted to try some new bedding - it's cedar fiber, kind of "rice-like" (called CedaRest - http://www.stallskins.com ) instead of the shavings. It's a bit like "grindings" and I thought it might provide more sand-like support than the shavings do. Should I start turning her out? 60x70 paddock. We have sand galore, but it really compacts. I usually put old bedding out and drag it in to soften it. I'm concerned she may overdue it, especially after being stalled for two weeks. Should I just hand walk her first? Should I have x-rays done again now? My vet is on vacation - I don't know if his backup could get the first films to compare. We didn't do blood work - so I guess I should have that done with the x-rays? Any specific tests? And are there any other questions I should be asking?

What I am afraid happened on your last trim, when you asked for the toes to be shortened, was that they were shortened from the bottom of the foot, rather than by backing up the profile of the hoof. Do not do any concaving more than 1/4" ahead of the tip of the frog, and let as much sole thickness build up in the toe area as possible.

Lower the heels and bars a lot, but leave the bottom of the foot in the front as much as possible. What you really need to aim for is the hairline to approach a 30 degree angle to the ground plane when viewed directly from the side at ground level. This angle and the heels really low are the first things to shoot for; backing up the toe wall into the white line is the next priority. Getting the full 30 degree hairline angle may not be possible at first, but keep chipping away at it. You cannot get it by shortening the toes from the bottom. Shortening the toes and paring the sole thin in the toe area is an abscess waiting to happen....and could result in sole penetration. Aiming the tip of the coffin bone downwards towards the ground plane will bruise the sole, at best, and give you soft, poor-qualtiy "inflammation horn" in the toe area. This last trim has been a setback, actually, but lowering the heels as much as possible, and keeping her padded and the toes backed up, will help.

In your current situation, I would pad her and turn her out with hay piles in different spots to keep her moving. If she is confined to a stall, I do not expect she will improve nearly as fast, if at all. If she is moving around with other horses, her morale will be better, too. Boots or padding will enable this.

Frank Orza, the Horsneaker guy, is also a farrier, and lives in Tombstone, AZ. He can help you.

I favor using more mechanical means to control pain instead of drugs. Too many drugs in combination can cause stomach ulcers (NSAIDs) and stress the kidneys. If you use mechanical means, like soft boots, correct trimming and exercise, you have no bad side effects--but some very good side effects. Mechanical means are the heart of Dr. Strasser's work, not drugs, and she has had some remarkable results. All the drugs and nutritional supplements will not substitute for correct trimming and constant movement. Your paddock sounds too small, really. You might have better results if she were in a bigger field with other horses--wearing padded boots....maybe you could talk Frank into boarding her with his guys.

Comments

I did call Marjorie and we talked for a long time; she was wonderful, supportive and encouraging. I look forward to meeting her soon.

I have taken my horse off Banamine and nitroglycerine, at my vet's suggestion, and have reduced the Ace by 2/3. I have also put easy boots on over frog supporting pads; she seems much more comfortable and willing to move around. I turn her out for short periods and walk her as often as I can. Next is to start the Strasser trims. I'll let you know how things progress.

Comments

This may be a long comment but it has to be given to you. My horse Comanche (13 yr old leopard app poa) foundered last winter and we couldn't find how (dead of winter with no change to his routine or pasture and had not been ridden in a while). Luckily I have one of the most wonderful farriers who started the frequent trim on him. However, he was still in pain and I couldn't stand seeing him suffer. So the college student in me got down to business studying....the only way I knew how to go about helping him. Being a pre-vet student I was already a little ahead and knew that I needed to treat the cause, not the symptoms. After talking to several people who all used Bute which I wanted as a very last resort because of side affects, I hopped on the net for more info. That's how I found your site, but I had no idea how much it would affect me and my horse. I read all about the wild horse trim and was so impressed that my farrier had already started that. But I needed to ease Comanche's pain. That's when I read about detox and how it has antioxidants in it. Since founder is caused by toxins in the body and antioxidants rid the body of toxins I thought could it be as simple as feeding him an antioxidant supplement which is available in stores. Antioxidants come from vitamins A, C, and E and selenium, so I decided to try a vitamin supplement first before the antioxidant supplement as an experiment. Weeks later to my astonishment Comanche was walking better, in a better mood, and now he moves with no trouble at all. I can't prove that the vitamins did it, but I thought that this information was worth sharing with others who have to suffer with their horses in pain. I have my boy back and I wanted to thank you for your site. It's what helped me help Comanche, and we both congratulate you! I can't thank you enough! I now have both my horses barefoot and frequently trimmed, and they are doing better than before. Thanks again for the wonderful site and good luck to others who have to endure this terrible problem!

I am happy you were able to get improvements with something that has no bad side effects, like anti-oxidants. I have been hearing from all too many people about horses getting really sick from being on too many drugs. Especially devastating is the bute/banamine combination, but I have heard of horses being on 5 or 6 drugs at once. I cannot emphasize enough the dangers of this approach! These horses develop ulcers, and eat and drink less and less. Soon they dehydrate and either colic or have kidney failure. It is trading foot pain for abdominal pain, and many of these horses are not surviving.

Sabine Kells tells me that the horses she and Dr. Strasser have the hardest time saving are the ones who have literally been poisoned with excessive medications.

The real key to turning you horse around is exercise, 24 hour turnout and a correct hoof shape, maintained constantly. The mechanical approach, rather than the pharmaceutical approach, may involve more pain initially, but it gives better results long-term.

Comments

Hi I would like to become a farrier. I'm currently going to school to be a vet assistant. I love learning about hoof problems, i see alot of them just trimming for people in my neighborhood. I need to go to school to be a farrier so badly that I can taste it. My biggest problem is funding. Do you know of any scholarship programs that would be able to fund my education. I would be eternally grateful to you, I know that there is help, I have not been successful in finding it as of yet. Horsefully yours Prettyfilly@hotmail.com Tia M Love

Asking me how to raise money is a bad joke! I am giving away everything I know for free on my site, for instance. I just have all the wrong instincts. I dated a wealthy man for a while, and he asked me if I had "positioned myself" to make some money on all the laminitis info I am giving away. I was quite startled to hear this! It never dawned on me. I just love horses, and want to do all I can for them. Maybe I should charge everybody's credit card before they can get into my site. :-) (Seems like a gross idea, though.)

Seriously, contact the schools you are interested in and ask them directly about grants, etc. Or talk with local farriers whose work you admire.

Comments

Read a message posted on the board here by a young lady (I assume) who was hunting a way to get financial aide to attend Farrier School. I wanted to give my input to possibly help her out.

I have been a Farrier for 35 years and am in the College Station area of Texas which is between Houston and Dallas in the "Golden Triangle".

I can frankly state from experience in both teaching in schools and teaching Apprentices that getting under an experienced Farrier as an Apprentice far exceeds anything you'll learn in School.

I don't mean looking for only a "Certified" Farrier as opposed to a non-Certified Farrier. If you get into that rut you'll rob yourself of some great experience. I am not "Certified" nor do I care to be and many of my Veteran colleagues feel the same.

Teaching Farriers who take on Apprentices can be found, but, they don't make it easy. I quit doing it several years ago when I semi-retired from full-time Farriery and now only work horses brought to my ranch.

If you dig and make calls you'll find someone. When you do be prepared to show up with your own tools and to volunteer your time and services because traditionally it is not a paid position.

If you choose the School route there used to be tuition assistance for Farrier School in the form of Government and private programs. I'm not certain which have survived the spending limits ax lately.

One public program comes to mind in Oklahoma City wherein you attend a week or so qualification assessment to determine your eligibility and they then pay your way thru an approved career choice. As of a few years ago "Farrier" was an approved career.

I don't remember the name of the program, but, perhaps you can call the state, or federal government Unemployment Office and find out.

In closing let me share a story with you to give you some motivation and hope for your calling as a Farrier.

I spent 13 months earnestly seeking a teaching Farrier back when I first decided to become a professional Farrier. I couldn't find anyone, so, I worked 2 jobs for 9 months to pay bills, support my family, and save every penny I could to pay for an 8-week Farrier School class, tools, and gas to get there and back.

When I finally got the money I enrolled in my closest school which required a 3-hr drive one way to and from classes.

While in school I kept searching for an Apprentice position by calling Farriers, feed stores, Vets, and saddle makers on the phone and running around posting public notices.

One week after I started School a Vet called me at home and said he heard a "rumor" that a 30-year Farrier was looking for one final Apprentice before he retires. I got his address and after 6 days finally got in contact with him.

Once we spoke it took me another 4 days to convince him to take me. He finally agreed and we worked together 6 days a week shoeing and trimming 12 to 14 horses a day. At the end of the day I went home and literally "fell" on the floor from exhaustion.

I never got paid a dime for my services, but, what I learned in the 18 months we were together money couldn't buy and no school could teach. The day came when he finally cut me loose telling me there wasn't anything more he could teach me and it was time for me to go out on my own.

My teacher was not "Certified", "licensed", or a member of any club or organization. He simply spent 30 years of his life under horses and had a yearning to teach and share his knowledge.

Moral of the story ... don't just look for free money and/or a handout and don't let the failure to find those things hamper your efforts to achieve your goals. Seek and you shall find ... knock and it shall be opened to you. I firmly believe that when the student is ready the Master will appear.

Eli Wolf Texas Farrier Email: farrier@starrwolf.com Website: http:www.starrwolf.com/Ask_The_Farrier

Comments

Hi Gretchen... Thanks for your reply. I called Frank and he came up yesterday. Perlas didn't have much hoof for him to work with, but he did roll the edges as much as he could. We did impressions for Horsneakers. As she gets so sore she lies down instead of walking when in the paddock, I've turned over the whole barn to her and spread her hay around the stalls. Frank wants me to get her on firmer stuff to help build up sole callous - so I'll be hand walking her for short periods on firmer stuff where I've been able to pick at least the sharp rocks. Her sole is so thin I'm afraid a sharp rock could pierce it. I've added a multi-vitamin/mineral supplement, will keep her on the aspirin (for slippery platelets, not for pain) until she seems past the stage where clots could be a problem. I didn't want to zap her with magnesium until I can get my hay tested. I've seen too many problems with over/under dosing various things with my human patients and tend to be more cautious with my animals. As soon as we move (anywhere from 15 to 45 days), the whole bunch will have more acres to run on. Frank also gave me some place to start on trims for my older QH mare (chronic thrush problems, good hoof wall but we started a "foot manicure" program) and my Peruvian baby (good feet, just too long all over). I'll be checking back frequently both to update you and looking for new information.

I am delighted you and Frank have connected. Please let us know how your horse walks in the new Horsneakers! I am expecting big improvements in her comfort.

As you may know, I am more in favor of attacking laminitis using mechanical means than drugs. I mention some of the drugs, and nutritional supplements, on my site, but the most important aspect of treatment is the mechanical--plenty of movement and correct trimming. During the years when I was boarding my horse--back before I bought a farm and became a slave it to!--my horse did not grass founder, even on lots of grass, because he was worked so much barefoot that I never needed to trim him. He was ridden at least 5 miles a day. If only I had kept working him that much, and not let him get fat or be shod, I think I never would have had occasion to write this page! He was also at his most sure-footed when he was worked so much barefoot. Jaime was hard-pressed to find any foundered wild horses. That should tell us something!

I have heard some sad stories about horses who were over-medicated. Perhaps the owners were getting drugs from more than one vet at once, but I have heard about Banamine and bute being given together, along with ace, nitro, etc. I am not sure if it was stomach ulcers from all the NSAIDs, or liver and kidney overload, but some start eating and drinking very poorly. Some horses tolerate long-term drug use well, but what if yours won't?

Rather than feel sorry for an ouchy horse and load him up with drugs, and then just let him lay down all the time, the better thing to do is to keep him moving more often. As awful as it sounds. When Max has been sore and had heat in his feet in the past, I was surprised to see just 15-20 minutes of walking him would cool his feet down and get him a little less ouchy. The more often he keeps moving, the better. I like how you are arranging your horse's living conditions. Just the little bit of schlepping around going from hay pile to hay pile, and back to the water, will help. And the good thing is that low-level exercise like this, on soft ground or booted, has no bad side-effects, like drugs.

Although your horse will eventually need harder ground to build up sole callous, early in the recovery, soft ground and boots are still helpful. I would not work on building up callous yet until the bottom of the coffin bone is more ground parallel. You get this by lowering the heels and bars so the hairline slopes downwards towards the rear. Many foundered horses have hairlines that are horizontal when viewed directly from the side at ground level. This is not good--it means the tip of the coffin bone is aimed directly at the sole, where it is trying to stab through. Study the photos of Nova. I hope to have some pages of some other Strasser cases up soon--study them as well once they're up there.

Comments

Hi Gretchen--Not sure if you'll remember me...I'm the gal in Texas who called you about my 5y/o paint gelding, Dancer. Just wanted to update you on his progress. He is much better!! Up to 4-5 hours on grass a day....well, what grass we have in Texas right now. He has been off bute for over 50 days as of today! I feel real fortunate to have the very willing/dependable farrier/vet team that I have. Not sure how things may have turned out otherwise. It would be tuff to be armed with the knowledge that you offer and no support system.

Dancer has had 6 trims in 15 weeks using the guidelines on your website. But, I am seeing some real problems with the front hooves cracking/breaking off in between trims. Looks like quite a little bit of dead tissue growing out and breaking off. The farrier said everything is looking real good so far. He also said that the very dry conditions in Texas are contributing to the cracking problem. He suggested Biotin as a supplement. I was wondering if the dead stuff cracking off is a good sign? Normal for the frequent trims?

You will get better results trimming 2x weekly. Every 3 weeks is an absolute minimum.

I have completely eliminated all forms of meds at this point. I am still supplementing with D-Tox (down to 1 level scoop daily), Magnesium, MSM, and apple cider vinegar. They are regular staples around here now. Do you have any suggestions for a good all-around vit/min supplement for laminitic horses?? I've been looking at a few products: Source, United Vet Equine's Mega-Mag, or Equi-Marine. But I don't know if one is necessarily better than another. Any ideas?

I also ordered Devil's Claw & Echinacea herbal extracts from Jeffers to replace bute and injectible anti-biotics respectively. So far, knock on wood, I've had no need for the DC as Dancer has been virtually pain free for several weeks now. I did give Dancer the Echinacea when one of the abscesses, secondary to the laminitis, was being real resistant to all external courses. BTW, the abscesses have slowed down considerably now.

The mechanical approach--frequent correct trims and constant movement--is more important than any nutritional supplements. You might be abel to fix a horse with mechanical means alone, but you won't do nearly as well using nutritional supplements if the feet are not kept the right shape and the horse is not moving.

I do have what may seem like a dumb question...I would like to do the "touch-ups" to Dancer hooves in between the farrier's visits. I have rheumatoid arthritis in both hands and was wondering if it is necessary to use the big rasps/nippers? I have a real difficult time holding them, and wondered if I could use a smaller file/rasp? Does it matter what tools you use?

A shoeing stock will enable you to even use power tools. I have used them on my mule's awesomely thick, tough hooves. If you are not very strong, a stock will make your work much more doable. I wouldn't use a little file. I mainly use a rasp, a hoof knife, and a sharpener. Some people like those little Dremel rotary tools for certain things, although I haven't tried them myself. A 6" ruler comes in handy for checking that the sole and frog are not protruding past the wall. The only sole that should be level with the ground is the "moonsickle"-shaped toe callous, and the ruler helpful for checking that.The back 1/3 third of the frog should be flush with the walls, and the front 2/3 be tapering lower towards the front. A plexiglass with a proper angle for the hairlines marked on it is also helpful. A toe angle protractor helps, too.

Gretchen, I can never begin to thank you enough for the info you provide! I firmly believe that your website and, the info that it encompasses, are what turned Dancer's life (and mine) around. Thank you so much.

Comments

I'm posting this to get your input on this exhausting situation that has gone on for so long with no results. I don't have email, so, please post your comments publicly so I can read them.

I have a 6-year-old 14 hand Paso Fino maiden mare, 1000+ pounds, been on a diet for 2 years and won't lose weight. Developed laminitis 2 years ago due to "fescue toxicosis"

Can't exercise her because her feet kill her afterwards. She occasionally develops light pulses, and I have felt stronger pulses after exercise around time she has just been trimmed by farrier. My farrier uses natural trim, or wild horse trim, but it hasn't made any difference in her sore feet. Her soles were soft before and thin, they are now thick and hard, so this is an improvement, but still sore after a trim even though he only removes minimal hoof at toe mostly, no sore paring, and heels are already low, under-run.

She travels sound in EZ Boots, but they rub her coronary bands no matter what I have tried. Rubber strips under buckle, foam pads, tape, bandages, etc. still rubs.

She is permanently off pasture, get total of 12 ozs straight oats per day to get supplements into her, and 100% timothy hay. Still no weight loss.

Have you read an article called "Peripheral Cushingoid Syndrome" in the March Quarter Horse Journal? The pictures look Exactly like my mare, and the description of her problems are the same. I contacted the author but he said research is in early stages and he has no advice or suggestions to help my mare.

My vet was here in July and he looked at my mare, who was puffing in the heat and so fat, and said he thought I would lose her if something wasn't done, but he had nothing to offer. Said he had seen at least five other horses like her and nothing worked for them either.

This mare was on Thyro-L for two years without improvement, and after taking her off it, she has normal T4, so probably never needed it.

Fescue toxicosis is supposed to upset whole endocrine system and is apparently permanent damage, so unless someone knows something seems I have a lovely, sweet, barn ornament!!

This is weird! I recognize the name and case. Ida Galloway does have a working email address currently We have been exchanging email recently. We have each other's phone numbers. We discussed this material on the phone.

Since Ida tells me that the only time her mare was OK right after a trim was the time I trimmed her, I suspect the trim is wrong. Sabine Kells and Dr. Strasser maintain that many endocrine problems clear up when hoof mechanism is fully restored via a correct hoof shape and plenty of movement around the clock. In other words, when circulation is enhanced in the whole body because the hooves are finally able to act like the "auxiliary hearts" they are in a natural state, the benefits are far-reaching throughout the body.

Comments

We are writing this as a group reply to correct an injustice done to a wonderful farrier in your guest book. I am speaking for myself and 4 other owners whose names will appear at the end of this email.

Before we start, let me say that we enjoy your website and consider it wonderfully informative. However, it is imperative that we speak up on behalf of a farrier we consider wonderful.

I was reading through your guest book last week and was shocked at your flaming reply against Mr. Eli Wolf, a farrier in Texas, which is dated July 4, 1999. I printed and shared your reply with my colleagues (customers of Mr. Wolf), as well as spoke with Mr. Wolf himself. Although Mr. Wolf refused to get into it (as is his easy nature), we do not wish to let your reply represent him in the false light you created. It is obvious in your reply that you are gravely misinformed about both Mr. Wolf AND his website (which we find to be fantastic and one of the best ever by a farrier).

We are mostly competitive barrel racers and trainers here in Texas, but also participate in events with our Warmbloods. We trailer to Mr. Wolf because he is an outstanding farrier and good farriers are hard to come by even here in Texas.

We all heard of Mr. Wolf through word of mouth and his excellent reputation for caring about horses and not being motivated by money greed.

Before going to him we checked into his reputation and heard wonderful things about how he does what is best for the horse and will go the distance to help. We received recommendations from Vets who, although they did not know him personally, had heard of his good work from their customers.

When I, personally, contacted Mr. Wolf and spoke with him for the better part of 2 hours about my horses and their problems (terrible feet, bad shoeing, cast shoes, periodic lameness, and one I have that's Foundered) Mr. Wolf was responsive, patient, and extremely helpful over the phone.

When I found out that Mr. Wolf's ranch was just north of Texas A & M University's equine clinic (where our horses were going to be) we made an appointment to trailer up to him after the clinic to meet him and spend the weekend working on our horses. We are each glad we did because it was one of the best decisions made regarding our horses.

Mr. Wolf spent the weekend with our 4 horses and never made us feel uncomfortable. We stayed in a local motel and thoroughly enjoyed our visit with him and his wife. His easy-going nature, patience, knowledge, blunt honesty, and horse-sense astounded us compared to other farriers. His care and dedication to our horses showed loud and clear.

Since Mr. Wolf has been working with our horses they have picked up speed, travel better, are more responsive, and not a single one of them has come up foot-sore as often happened before.

We trailer to Mr. Wolf in a goosneck wherein we all can send horses and split the cost. He handles all of our farrier needs and it is the best thing that has happened to our horses bar none.

Additionally, his prices are so reasonable that even after the trip we save money over what local farriers would charge for the same thing AND do a worse job. Mr. Wolf has never missed an appointment, been late, or failed to produce an excellent job.

You stated in your reply that you never mailed photos or referrals to Mr. Wolf. You are mistaken, Gretchen, because Mr. Wolf showed some photos about a case history that YOU provided along with your written explanation of the situation.

I stand by my statement. I never mailed him anything. I wish you would mail me a Xerox copy of the letter and photos I allegedly sent. And the envelope they came in, while you're at it. You have aroused my curiosity.

You accuse Mr. Wolf of using your guest book for selfish advertising. THAT is not only harsh, but, untrue. Why, his posting (and this one of ours for that matter) don't go beyond anything other postings in your guest book do when pumping products, services, methods, or people. Discussing goods, services, methods, and providers is not "advertising" as much as it is sharing with others. You, yourself, state that as being one of the purposes for your website.

Mr. Wolf has never overtly advertised or promoted himself as long as we have known him. He doesn't even have a business card. No other farriers even knew how to contact him. We originally got his pager number from the Texas A & M clinic.

However, he will gladly chit-chat with you for days on end about horses if you wish. But, that is not "advertising" anything. It is merely friendly conversation.

Further, we all read Mr. Wolf's post in your Guest book where you flamed him and didn't see anything other than friendly chit-chat about horses, situations, and scenarios. You apparently read far too much into it.

I do not see it as "friendly chit-chat" when someone claims I did something I never did....that I mailed a referral and photos that I never sent. I emailed him privately to ask what he was talking about, and when I got no response, I posted what I did.

You stated that Mr. Wolf's web site makes very plain that he endorses shoeing with either heart bars or shoes nailed on backwards for Founder. That couldn't be farther from the truth. Just because he speaks of them doesn't mean he "endorses" them. In the Bible, Jesus spoke of wealth, riches, and prosperity, yet, he didn't "promote" money.

In his founder and laminitis sections on his site, he talks about heartbars mostly. He mentions in passing shoes mailed on backwards as another option, and the EDSS shoeing system. He talks about the possibility of needing to cut the deep digital flexor tendon sometimes. He talks about lowering the heels, but warns that taking them down too much will lead to more rotation. He does not spend one sentence on the idea of a barefoot approach to founder, however. Most of what he talks about is heartbars, and taping on temporary frog supports such as a roll of material for a temporary frog support until heartbars can be put on. That is what is on his site as of today. Re-read it yourself.

You, of all people, should know that when you have a website that deals with the public and with so many variables as in horsecare that it is hard to discuss ANYTHING specifically.

Mr. Wolf's website at http://www.starrwolf.com/Ask_The_Farrier does a fantastic job of trying to cover a myriad of possibilities and scenarios. You need to read the information in the spirit that it is presented and not what you deem it to mean.

However, if you were to "look" you can find just as many references in his website to leaving horses barefoot as shod. It depends upon what you are looking for.

As examples of how he DOES NOT promote shoeing we can tell you first-hand that he refused to shoe our horses on many occasions. He benched one of my racers because she needed time off from the circuit due to bruising and from shoe trauma. He wouldn't shoe Colleen's Warmblood because the foot had a small bruise where a quarter nail would have gone and Mr. Wolf said he didn't wish to make the mare uncomfortable. So, since Mr. Wolf only uses 6 nails for a shoe (he doesn't use heel nailing) he decided to leave the shoes off for a cycle rather than risk 5 nails for a shoe.

He is also constantly on all of us to leave shoes off our horses whenever "possible and practical" as he puts it. He strongly advocates barefoot trimming methods and no shoes ... period. In my 17 years I have never had a farrier tell me these things nor refuse to shoe.

When he deals with brood mares he only shoes the front and leaves the hinds bare. Every other farrier we know will shoe them all around without second thought.

You accuse Mr. Wolf of nailing shoes on backwards for Foundered horses. No ma'am. he does not.

He mentions it as an option in the section of his site that deals with laminitis and founder. But not one word in that section about barefoot.

He leaves my Foundered gelding bare as does he for 3 other horses we all own. He will discuss these things as alternative applications if you ask, but, he does not promote it. Matter of fact, Mr. Wolf trims our Foundered horses for "free" when we bring them to him to encourage us to keep them cared for and bare. Who else do you know that will do that?

Why are you accepting free trims from him for your foundered horses? If you really appreciate him and want to be fair with him, pay him as much as you would pay the other farriers you've used.

For Heaven's sake, Gretchen, you're flaming a farrier who once, in our presence, received an emergency case that was a high school rodeo boy and his Gelding that had an abscess and possible Laminitis.

Mr. Wolf pulled the shoes, cleaned out the abscess, soaked the feet in cold water while working on our horses, and called the Vet. He also trimmed the Gelding and told the boy to leave the horse with him for the week and to come by whenever he wanted to check on his horse.

Afterwards, this youngster paid Mr. Wolf only $10.00 for these services because that was all the money the boy had to pay. Mr. Wolf was boarding the horse at no charge to the boy.

You accuse Mr. Wolf's website as endorsing the use of Bute. I don't know where you get this stuff because it IS NOT from the same website we view. Nor, is it what he does or says. Mr. Wolf has never used Bute to our knowledge and he always promotes healthy choices. Again, just because he mentions it doesn't mean he promotes or endorses it.

His mentioning some options, and saying nothing about others, is a form of endorsement.

We wish to point out to you that Mr. Wolf is one of the FEW ... we say FEW farriers who will do what is good for the horse and not the owner. He isn't motivated by money (he has refused to be paid sometimes) and his skills are outstanding. In our opinion, he doesn't charge enough for what he does.

Mr. Wolf is a considerate, helpful, compassionate farrier and it shows in his work and in his website. His methods are not set in stone and he actually "listens" to owners/trainers. He won't always do what we say, but, he listens and we can be assured our horses are well cared-for.

He created that website for us owners/trainers to better care for our horses. Before his website, there wasn't much out there on what all he discusses. He use wonderful illustrations that make it easy for laypeople like us to visualize what he is talking about. Plus, if we want him to discuss a topic on his website, or to research an issue, all we need do is email him and it is done.

We recommend his site and his services highly. We do not want his good reputation mal-aligned, nor do we want your reply to speak for him. We know him, personally and professionally, and hold him in the highest regard.

Comments

I was reading through your guest book and came across the dialog between you and the ladies involving the farrier in Texas named Eli Wolf and thought I'd throw something into it from personal experience with Mr. Wolf.

We are in New York and train jumping horses and happen to have a donkey that meanders about as everyone's pet in good condition after a terrible bout with Selenium Toxicity due in large part to Mr. Wolf.

We battled this for 18 months with farriers and Veterinarians with no success. Nobody knew what was going on. That was until I contacted Mr. Wolf through his website.

Mr. Wolf spent two days emailing back and forth with me and suspected it to be the toxicity. He was the one who labeled the situation and provided me with more research and information than we had ever received to that point.

Mr. Wolf didn't stop there. He took it upon himself to put us into contact with some Veterinarians at the Texas A&M University who were involved in the "Hoof Project", as well as a research Veterinarian in Scotland that had done extensive studies on this type of thing. Between these people we are now providing wonderful care for the donkey and she is coming along much better.

Mr. Wolf also worked with our farrier via email for 2 months teaching him how to trim the feet of our donkey and keeping tabs with us on her condition.

He may well have learned about it from me. I mentioned it to him in an email, which he never answered.

I have had people asking me about similar situations. Like wondering if the black walnut trees in the pasture could be the problem...

Never once did he promote shoeing, and as matter of fact, chastised our farrier for not using balanced trimming methods on our other horses and keeping them in shoes needlessly.

I just wanted to point out that although his website does mention possibilities and tactics which involve shoes, he actually does what needs to be done for each individual case and will engage in approaches you mention throughout your site.

According to the Veterinarians I spoke with who knew of Mr. Wolf, he is a strong advocate of leaving horses unshod and is the type of farrier that will use shoes if needed, or, will not use them if needed. It depends upon the case.

From what I read on your website and from what I discussed over the weeks with Mr. Wolf, you two have much in common in your beliefs.

Although your information is wonderful it is not *the* only method for getting excellent reults, Gretchen. I have 16 horses and 24 years of experience and have owned horses who have totally recovered from laminitis as a result of timely and excellent shoeing methods, and I have 2 foundered horses who are schooling horses and still very sound due to proper shoeing methods.

I also know from personal experience with other trainers that the shoeing methods Mr. Wolf speaks of on his website can bring 100% positive results.

Just as you promote your views Mr. Wolf promotes his. You both have good advice and opinions and have more in common than you seem to admit. Each founder and laminitis case has its own merits and must be dealt with as such. We as horse owners need people like you *and* Mr. Wolf to better help us take care of our horses.

There's no doubt in my mind that if you and Mr. Wolf were to consult on a laminitis or founder case that Mr. Wolf would probably follow your advice as to treatment approaches because I have learned through him and others that he (Mr. Wolf) is not set in stone and is truly driven by what is best for each case.

I am glad you both operate websites because I think they compliment each other and are both equally valuable.

Comments

Saw your exchange about the farrier Eli Wolf and thought I'd give my 2-cents because I not only am familiar with Eli, but, happen to have a lot of respect for him as a person and a very professional and skilled farrier.

He is not *anti* anything nor does he endorse the methods you you speak of in several areas of your guest book about him. He shares ideas with the public and his clients and works to do what is best for the horse be it shoes or no shoes.

You also need to keep up with the latest trneds in horsecare. If you did you'd see that shoeing has come a long way and there are wonderful remedies available which are just as successful as your methods in your website or more.

I think Dr. Strasser is on the cutting edge, actually. Heartbars are hardly "the latest trends in horse care." They have been around a long time.

I disagree with your statement that Eli endorses a product or idea merely because he mentions it on his website. If you're going to place him into that narrow-minded viewpoint, then, you must include yourself with him because you discuss shoeing as treatment for founder and laminitis in areas of your website. What's good for the goose is good for the gander. You shouldn't be casting stones when you have dirty hands as well.

I state the obvious when I say that his web site sections on laminitis and founder talk about shoeing only.

If Eli endorses/promotes anything it is that the horse deserves the best treatment possible and the methods should meet the individual needs of the horse. Be those methods shoeing or bare, Eli does what the situation calls for.

I have Eli's website bookmarked because I think it is a fabulous site and full of great tips and ideas. He does mention the things you indicate, but, I see it more as a forum of discussion rather than an "endorsement".

What I read in his website is exactly what I read in your website, which is the presentation of materials and opinions that might work in certain situations and a discussion of ideas. Your criticism of him is like cutting off your nose to spite your face.

You mention ideas in your website that I disagree with and your methodology doesn't always work. I don't see anyone criticizing you for these things.

The important thing is that you not hasten to criticize Eli when you obviously have never worked nor discussed treatments at length with him. If you had you wouldn't speak of him as you do.

I am only pointing out what was on his web site in the founder and laminitis sections recently. You see that as criticism?

Eli has never worked on my horses, but, he has emailed things to my farrier who followed his advice. I can tell you firsthand that my horses have benefited greatly from Eli's methods.

Comments

Hi Gretchen. Looked over your whole site...finally! Read a good deal. Wonderful. Keep up the great work. Frank Orza

Comments

In my opinion, you and Eli Wolf, both, are great assets in your own standing and the horse industry needs more like the two of you who are self-less and caring enough to devote the time and attention you both do for the common horse owner public good.

Comments

I'm a Veterinarian specializing in equine disorders and was referred to your site by a few University colleagues who happened upon it and were intrigues with what you espouse. They asked for my opinion.

I am sorry to say that not only do I not approve of your site as it presently stands, but, I will not recommend it to anyone and I am sending this post to your Guest book in an attempt to encourage you to take action.

I am shocked at the misinformation contained within your pages relative to treatment approaches addressing Laminitis and Founder. I am shocked that you would espouse barefoot methods as *the* means of handling the diseases and promote the ludicrous idea that shoeing has no place in the science of healing these diseases. In my professional opinion your promotion of these ideologies into the minds of lay horse owners is not only negligent and irresponsible, but, highly unethical. Certainly, some of your treatment approaches I agree with as being an acceptable course of treatment, however, even those are lacking in the full details. Things are not as cut and dried as you suggest nor are they as successful as you seem to be trying to get the public to believe.

One particular aspect of your site that I strongly object to and recommend that you immediately cease if you have an ounce of decency and ethics is your endorsement of the "Bergy" method of trimming equine hooves.

The "Bergy" method promotes aggressive paring of the equine hoof in ways it should never be done and in ways we Veterinarians, Researchers, and Surgeons consider a grave mistake and one of the prime causes of lameness. The "Bergy" method lacks scientific substantiation and is strongly opposed at every Veterinary teaching University of any repute. Mr. Bergleen, founder of this misguided "Bergy" method, is doing his own thing without solid research and medical foundation and attempts to justify it based upon his version of wild horse studies.

As a "real world" example of how terribly wrong it is to expose horses to this "Bergy Butchery" I submit that in the past 6 months I have treated 26 horses that were acutely lame in the hooves and further involved the spinal column. Every one of these horses had been trimmed with the "Bergy" method. One horse previously sound in our University clinic 7 months earlier had been subjected to this "Bergy" method at a "Bergy Clinic" and within 4 days had acute debilitating pain. I have been, again, working with that same horse for 9 weeks and he is regaining soundness back. The owners of these clinical horses tell me that all of the farriers dealing with the feet have been so-called "Certified" for using the Bergy Method by Mr. Bergeleen himself.

I have discovered this problem statewide and in the 2 adjoining states where I have been called in for consultation.

Frankly, my impression was that at some point Mr. Bergeleen found himself surrounded by a lot of horses with long toes and suddenly discovered the concept of "backing up" a toe the result being "Bergy's" method. It is hogwash and no professional farrier in this state is practicing this butchery.

There is a huge difference between the superficial observations that Mr. Bergeleen sees in the wild horse foot and what we see through research and development. Yes, the feral foot is short, however, the boney column sits high inside with a tremendously strong and thick sole. Artificially removing that sole to shorten the foot (as Bergy promotes) and distorting the entire hoof capsule is dangerous to the P3, Laminae, and every structure from the sole plane upward through the body. The hoof capsule cannot function without sound, vital sole and bars as a foundation. If Mr. Bergleen had any science behind his personal observations he would stop promoting his method at once before this method cripples more horses than it has already.

I strongly urge you to disassociate yourself with this trimming method and take greater efforts to clean up the misinformation contained with your website much of which is dated by newer breakthroughs and techniques ... many of which involve shoeing my dear. I'm sorry to say your barefoot methods are not the best approach as you obviously believe. Shoes and barefoot approaches work hand-in-hand and you need to stop trying to drive a barrier between them.

I am with you on the subject of Bergy paring too much sole in the toe area. While I feel he has made some good contributions, this is one area where I disagree with him. I mention in several places that one should leave a "moonsickle-shaped" area of sole callous in the toe area. I have several images illustrating this point.

Many of my readers are hard-pressed to get even mediocre farriers out every 8 weeks. Many are lucky to even get someone every 3 months. Some of the shoeing options you are talking about would need to be done by excellent farriers, and reset more often, wouldn't they? I have heard from one farrier who works at a teaching hospital, who said the work on my horse at a vet school was poorly done. So where else should I have taken him? In my area, you are lucky to get an appointment with the local janitor who shoes on weekends and cannot read....he's booked up for months. The vet school farrier who wrote me this feels that there is a greater margin for error in barefoot trimming than with corrective shoeing, which must be done by experts only. But where are these experts? The farrier shortage is very real, especially for backyard horse owners. And for people with limited finances, who cannot afford to board a horse at a facility such as yours for a few months, I at least offer an alternative.

Comments

You have created and maintained the singularly most important website for all those who care about horses. You have placed this "lighthouse beacon" in the rockiest shores of equine health care. It is long overdue that intelligent, open-minded, courageous researchers, such as Dr. Strasser, have taken the initiative to "rethink" the archaic approaches to treating foundered horses. The time has come for the ignorance and suffering to end.

We have purchased all the books from Star Ridge Publishing and subscribed to the Hoof Care Advisor. We are convinced that this very "common sense" approach to hoof care and maintenance is the "guiding light" for the future. We are spreading the word and "walking the talk". No horseperson can come near us without hearing about your site and the important information to be found there.

We read and reread your web pages on a regular basis. We are doing the best we can to help our little foundered pony with guidance from you and your incredible site. When Sabine or Dr. Strasser offer a clinic near California, we will make every effort to be there. We will also keep you posted as to our little pony's progress ... she is doing better and we, too, are doing better with the trims.

Comments

Gretchen - I talked to Sabine and she said that she was tentatively planning to do a clinic in California and she also mentioned that you were trying to get one together in your area. Please send me information about your clinic and/or I would like to try to get her here in St Louis. She said that if we could figure out the timing between CA OH and MO, she would be willing to do a three way travel. Let me know if you know any thing more.

Comments

"Hi Gretchen... Wanted to update you on Perla. I have locked my horses out of the barn for going on two weeks now and they are all doing better. Fortunately, I have 3 acres of varied terrain for them to go about on, and they do go from one end to another. Perla's sole is toughening up - she picks her way through the worst rocks but is moving out a little more on clearer areas. I've done a little rasping on the toes (she didn't have much to work with) and Frank will be coming back up to trim. I think my technique will improve once I get a stand (the gal who owns the local farrier supply has been very helpful about stands and rasps and stuff like that and has some on order that are very reasonably priced). I got Jaime Jackson's "Natural Horse" and found it quite enlightening - still have to get the other books. My old QH mare with chronic thrush is improving - I'm using peroxide in her deep crevices (rinsing out with water) and working her toes back."

Deep crevices? That is part of your problem. You need to trim the sole at the sole/frog junction in the front half of the frog down til you get rid of the deep crevice of dirt. Then taper the sole paring out the the walls to the sides from this low point. For good examples, look at the Dr. Strasser cases again. You need to lower the heels more than Frank does, I suspect, and lower the bars and do the opening cuts. Sections 5.1 and 5.2 of my site, and the Strasser cases, are what you need to study more. You may still have excessively high heels.

I am delighted to hear your guys are responding well to the changed boarding situation.

"Her heels are spreading, her frog is getting more normal looking and she's been off bute for three weeks. I feel some of Jaime's recommendations for cleaning (paring) out old sole are a bit beyone me, so am hoping Frank can help with this and that my regular farrier will be willing to learn Jaime's technique."

Study the above sections on my site, get a super sharp hoof knife, a hoof knife sharpener and some leather glvoes, and learn how to do it yourself. I am happy to hear that the heels are spreading. That is great! And being off bute, too--fantastic!

"Coming across your website has really caused me to rethink my horsekeeping techniques - and I'm becoming more inclined to believe that "less is better". My horses don't seem to love me any less because I've cut out their alfalfa pellets and complete ration (replaced with small quantities of oats and just basic supplements) and made them work a little harder to find their hay. BTW - I did not do any magnesium supplementation on my foundered mare. Water in this area (Southern Arizona) has been found to be high in magnesium and there have been cases of mag toxicity."

That is why I mention on the site that you need to get info from your local agricultural extension office about local soil conditions before adding magnesium. In arid parts of the country, the soil is richer in minerals. Most of the country, though, has acid soil and mineral-poor soil.

www.nuteam.com is an interesting place. They will do all kinds of lab work to figure out exactly what your horses need. In Ohio, though.

"My vet has mentioned research being done on chromium for "cresty" fat horses - when I get more info on it, I will forward to you."

"People who advocate radical changes from the status quo are often the target of those unwilling to become educated. I hope this doesn't discourage you, as your website seems to provide hope and inspiration to many. I may not agree 100% with every little detail I read, but hope I have the intelligence to apply what I see with a little common sense (or is it the other way around). I think, in this current age of horse and hoof "gurus" that some good basic concepts can be poorly applied - it is up to the horse owner to become educated and not accept every new theory/practitioner that comes down the road as the word of the Horse God. And, disagreeing with you doesn't give anyone the right to trash you (most of the DVM's I've been fortunate to meet did not lose their manners or their open minds when they graduated). Keep up the good work - Perla, Dandy and I thank you."

Yes, that "B. Smith, DVM" post was a bit harsh! He failed to mention where he was located, what school he was affiliated with, his email address, etc., so I take him less seriously than if he had been a bit more open about his identity. (Or maybe it is a woman? Who knows....)

I have no clue. He is allegedly a Foxtrotter, but who knows? The bird dog trainer I bought him from for $900 (battered saddle included) was very evasive about any questions about his past, etc., and I got no papers. He is sort of gaited, though. He might be a "trotty" TWH cross, or something. But he has done a medium trot, extended trot, 2-beat pace, slow gait (or "amble"), canter, gallop, etc. He often does not do a canter in a good, 3-beat form. He has so many forward gears it can get confusing. He is about 16 hands. I think he was a field trial flunk-out. He is terrified of the sound or sight of guns, of birds flying up under him, etc. Not exactly what you want in a field trial horse! :-) But he's practically like family, whether or not he has a couple of screws loose.

My guest book is not working right, so I will have to divide posts up into several different pages when I get into the place where I have to do the editing again. Not real soon, as I am busy selling off all our hay right now. Sales have been brisk, to say the least. When what has been either ordered or paid for in advance is all hauled out, we will be sold out....really early in the season. Will get your post added when I get to the web page editing.

Comments

Hi Gretchen, Love your web site. Learned so much. A group of us here in Santa Cruz Ca. are also hoping to be able to attend a seminar with Sabine as soon as possible. If you have any info on the dates or locations here in Ca. we would sure love to hear about it. Thanks Mike B. mwb@cruzio.com

Comments

Gretchen, I read Dr. B Smith's comments to you and was struck by the similarity to something I read on a "Farriers helping farriers" bulletin board in horseshoes.com from an Ernie Grey and Ray Miller. I too do not agree with the Bergy trim but I am convinced the Dr. Strasser barefoot trim is the way to go. My horse, Nova, is living proof. I will be sending you the latest photos and x-rays. Denise McLain Damdale@aol.com

Comments

This site is wonderful. It gave me some hope that my pony's foundered feet don't need to me just kept in pads to relieve pain. I've been told that nothing can help founder and that once the coffin bone begins to drop it never gets any better.

Rose foundered this spring and has been kept in padded shoes ever since. The last time she was shod I could see that she is more down in her sole than she was a month ago, and that compared to this spring it is much worse. This spring the sole of her foot looked flush with the outside of her hoof; now it is lower than the hoof. The coffin bone is working it's way out of her sole. The farrier rasped the sole of her right foot and it was pink just below the surface. Her left foot is also coming down, but not as bad as the right.

You need to get the coffin bone ground-parallel via lowering the heels and bars--ASAP! This will enable better sole to grow in the toe area, and reduce the likelihood of sole penetration.

I'm going to consult with my vet and get her out of her shoes before it is too late Thank-you for this information. Rose is a 17 year old Morgan type pony. She must have a high pain tolerance. She has been ridden and even jumped with these horrible feet. I'm angry that I listened to these well intentioned people that there was nothing more that could be done for her and recommended that we just use her as long as she went soundly and plan to have her euthanized if she becme unsound. I'll let you know how things go. Sincerely Karen Desmarais. Email address: tiggy12@concentric.net.

Comments

This site is fantastic I have a foundered mare with moderate rotation for the last two years I have had to keep her on bute and even that is not working as of late. PLEASE let me know when you will have a clinic in California. Thank you this information is GREAT! I am so afraid to try anything new for fear of making her worse my e-mail address is WantedAlive@aol.com Donna

I urge you to get in touch with Sabine Kells for the phone/photo consultations. Also, you need to trim to get the bottom of the coffin bone ground-parallel.

Comments

Please please help me if you can. I have only be a horse owner for 16 months. On 9/14/99, my horses broke into the barn and the grain. Needless to say they ate a whole barrel full (approx 50lbs) My two mares both foundered. However, we did not know (we are new remember?) that this would happen. They were checked that evening and everyone seemed fine, by 5:00 9/15/99, neither mare could walk.

There's a good chance your horses did not have enough hoof mechanism (and hence, circulation) to weather this trigger. Horses with ideal foot shapes and constant movement are more likely to weather these storms without going into acute laminitis and then rotating. A Strasser trim will be a real help. So will constant movement. Horses in the wild move a good 15 miles a day, mainly at a walk. Their bodies are designed to do this--and NEED this. The hoof shape wild horses this active maintain with constant wear keeps hoof mechanism at an optimum level. For horses not getting enough miles on them to stay worn a constant shape, correct trimming can subsitute for this.

I called people frantically and one person told me to get them in the pond. They stayed there for 40 min while my husband ran to meet the vet to pick up meds. I put bags of ice on all four legs of both mares (one is a mutt, over 16hh, the other is my QH) they were given their meds and stuck in ice for 1.45 min For the next three days, they have been given bute, and all sorts of other things, besides icing their feet as much as possible anywhere from 20 to 40 min, depending on how long the horse could handle it. The mutt didn't pass manure till today (9/18/99) while the QH did her manure 9/17/99.

This is what I am warning people about--over-medicating. Lucky you didn't have a colic....you came close!

My mutt is walking fine, but my QH is not. I've notice some small tears on her frogs, I am so terribly worried. The vet will take x-rays next week. Should I let shoes be put on her in the reverse fashion?

No!! This scenario reduces hoof mechanism and circulation even worse than regular shoeing.

They just had their hooves trimmed 2 wks ago and have always been barefoot. My QH tip toes and drags her rear toes behind. She had a foal on May 25th this year and another last yr in June. I refuse to have her go through all the unnecessary pain I have read about with the heart shoes and such.

Heartbar shoes do not create unnecessary pain. They actually reduce pain because they reduce circulation, which has a numbing effect. But this palliative effect has a price tag--less circulation means weaker, slower growth. The heart of the approach I advocated is increasing circulation with constant movement and a correct barefoot trim....which enables stronger laminae and horn to grow in. When the stronger new stuff grows down, you end up with a better hoof.

My farrier is an excellent farrier and am wondering if I show him this material will he be able to do this?

Yes....if he is willing to do it. It is not as difficult as shoeing, but it does require precision.

I am so absolutely grateful to have found your site, I can't tell you. Please please give me some words of encouragement for a LAME person like me.

Comments

This has been needed for a long time. It confirms my suspicion that my favorite horse was killed by bad farriery. I have since taken over trimming my own, starting with no instruction, just common sense and the belief that no one cares if my horse is done right except me. Most of the site confirms what I have learned on my own, and being insecure and taking a lot of flack for not shoeing, I need this. Thanks so much!

Comments

Thanks for making me feel a little bit more hopeful about the miserable pony I've got in my field. Two days ago laminitis was only a word in a book! I'll come back and study more tomorrow, but at least now I feel confident about continuing with the bute the vet gave, and also that what I felt like doing - makeing her stand in the stream - was not a totally mad idea.She was in very sparse pasture, and the day before we saw she had laminitis she had been moved to somwhere only slightly better. For a few weeks before this she had been stripping the bark off trees - any possible link with magnesium deficiency?

If your pony had better hoof mechanism--the result of correct hoof shape and enough exercise--triggers such as rich pasture would be less likely to push her over the edge. When you actually have hoof mechansim, the heels visibly spread each time weight goes down on a foot. The best way to get this is with a correct Strasser trim, which means low heels and bars, among other things. High heeled barefoot horses, and shod horses, have much less hoof mechanism than barefoot horses with a correct hoof shape. Having more hoof mechanism results in restoring normal circulation. This is the key to both repairing and preventing laminitis.

Another key feature of a correct hoof shape is trimming the foot so that the bottom of the coffin bone is ground-parallel. The hairlines provide a good gauge of this.

Lateral balance: when viewed at ground level from the center front of the hoof, the hairlines should be parallel to the ground. Another indication, alternately, is that "grain" (horn tubules) of the hoof's center front are perpendicular to the ground plane.

The more crucial factor, though, is correct balance from front to back. In a rotated foot, the coffin bone will be tipped down in the toe area. This puts undue stress on the toe laminae, rather than distributing weight equally over all the laminae as a ground-parallel coffin bone would. It makes rotation more likely. Even in a hoof that has not yet rotated, high heels make rotation more likely because they overstress the toe laminae. A further complication of the tipped coffin bone is that it creates a sharp pressure point on the sole in the toe area.

This pinches off circulation in the solar corium, resulting in slow, poor horn growth in the sole. There is also inflammation fluid in the area as well. The end result is a thin, soft sole in the toe area. Rocking the coffin bone back into a ground-parallel position will enable better circulation; stronger, harder, thicker sole will be able to grow in the toe area again, and you are less likely to get sole penetration. When the bottom of the coffin bone is ground parallel, the hairlines have a definite slope downwards towards the back of the foot. X-rays can confirm where you are at, but the hairlines are a good outward indication. In horses likely to have sole penetration, the hairlines, viewed from the side, are often ground-parallel, or even higher in the back than the front. This must be corrected before any progress is made. Low heels are also necessary to achieve optimum circulation.

Comments

Thanks for such an informative web site! This is one I will be visiting regularly. We are doing much the same type of work as you are but we are using a therapeutic plastic shoe that works wonders quickly. You can see the results of our work with a laminitic horse and navicular horse at www.justrehab.com My email address is gwenjust@msn.com

Your web site does not show this plastic shoe. If it is something that is rigid and nailed on, then I cannot be in favor of it. If it more like a horse boot and has some give, then I would like to hear more, and see photos.

Comments

Hi Gretchen, Finally able to get a computer. Purchased an IBM laptop. Am sending this message w/o electricity.

We have outgrown our current shop and are in the process of looking for a new location. All in all very busy. Will call to chat soon.

Comments

I enjoyed your website very much. I have a Morgan mare that foundered before I bought her. She's a wonderful horse, but I haven't had time to ride much of late so I am attempting to lease her out. I am concerned about her hypothyroidism because the company that manufactures the medication she has been on for 5 years is no longer making it, at least until spring. I wonder if anyone from your outfit would know where I could find a supplier of a combination of thyroxine and liothyronine. Most of the suppliers I have contacted have only the thyroxine for horses. Perhaps there is a natural alternative. I realize it is a lack of something in her feed or the soil. She foundered before she was on this medication and I am concerned about it happening again. If anyone can help me I would appreciate it. She becomes very low key and quiet and is susceptible to colic and funguses when she is without the medication. thanks for your help.

A lot of this can be helped with returning full hoof mechanism. Study the Strasser trim info.

Comments

Your information was very overwhelming. I couldn't stop reading one line. I never knew that so much information could be as gripping as this was. I will be looking forward to your updates and more information. Thank you so much for putting this web-site together to share. EMH e-mail LWSWILLOW

Comments

Hi, I have enjoyed this site very much, ordered "A Lifetime of Soundness" a few days ago, and can't wait for the mailman to bring it. Hoping it will help one of my rescues, a 12 year old QH with unexplained lameness. Maybe it was founder, but we are not sure. Will this method be ok to use for him even if he wasn't foundered? X-rays show a little ringbone, but not enough to make him grade 3 lame. Nothing has done much good, bute, isoxuprene, bar shoes, pads, etc. Hubby is ex-farrier, so frequent trimming won't be a problem. Hope my book gets here SOON. Debbie Collins e-mail: BreezyD23@aol.com

The Strasser method works on a large variety of lameness problems. He will be quite sore in the beginning, but the more you keep him moving, the faster his recovery. Refer to Rachael Ward's Boogie in Section 3 for the ultimate results, which only come about with enough miles on every day, after a correct trim. Your husband has to understand that this is not a typcial pasture trim. Section 14, especially, needs to be studied closely first. Also, study the Strasser cases section for good examples. Where do you live, BTW? And yes, I am confident that the book will really be an eye-opener! It sure was for me.

Comments

Gretchen, hi, I looked at section 3 to check out Boogie--he looks just like Willie! We live in Williamsburg, Va., where it has been wet all summer. I rode Willie today. He is limping just a little at the trot; should I ride him when he is like this? The vet seems to think so, that the exercise will benefit him, but I feel so bad about it. Kind of like when I cut his grain back and put him out in the rain. LOL! I try to ride about 30 minutes or so each day. He does have 24/7 turnout. Just the method of keeping him out and moving with other horses has improved his lameness. Cutting back grain was hubby's idea, tho I know it is better for him not to have excess weight on him. What do you think of biotin supplements? I use Farrier's Formula and the quality of his hoof is much better. You can see it in that it doesn't crumble and has a sheen to the hoof. Still waiting on that book, got an e-mail from the publishing co. that it was mailed on Monday. Wish us luck! Debbie Collins e-mail BreezyD23@aol.com

It is difficult to answer your question because I do not know enough about his condition. Is he rotated? How much? Have you gotten that 30 degree hairline slope yet? Do you have the toes backed up, the bars lowered, the sole concaved in the heels and quarters, etc.? Until you trim for all this and get it, I would hold off. I do not know how badly effected he is, or if the trim is correct. If he is still foundered, trotting and cantering is not a good idea. Concussion can lead to more rotation when the laminitic connection is still weak. Walking serves the purpose of keeping circulation going, and it is much less concussive than faster gaits, which makes walking the safer thing to do for quite a while. Since I know so little about your case, I can only advise you to stick to walking, and I am not sure if he is rideable yet. Can you pony him off another horse, by any chance? That would be the safer alternative. Lots of walking, in straight lines instead of small circles on the longe line, is the best thing for a foundered horse. Sharp turns and faster gaits stress the laminae more. So does the weight of a rider. Since I don't know enough about the shape he is in, I hesitate to advise you.

Yes, I agree that keeping him moving among other horses will help his lameness. Definitely!

I think biotin is a good thing. I'm all for giving it. However, the biggest factor in growing stronger walls, soles and laminae is restoring normal circulation via frequent correct trims and lots of walking 24/7. Until I see photos, and ideally X-rays, I have no idea how good his trim is. If you stil have high heels, and the hairlines not sloped, get this corrected before you start exercising him much. If he is really high-heeled and rotated, riding can speed up sole penetration. The trim needs to be correct. For riding I am also in favor of removable hoof boots in the early stages of the ransition to barefootedness, even for horses who are not foundered.

Re exercising him--one 50 min. a day walk will do less good than five 10-min. walks. Constant movement is the key to keeping the circulation up.

Comments

Hi Gretchen, Just wanted to thank you so much for your web site. All the information has helped our horse to recover from a serious founder in which she foundered in all 4 feet, with the front 2 rotated 12--1/2 degrees and 5 degrees. One year later she is doing long trail rides up and down mountainsides and in the process of learning dressage. She initially foundered due to a severe mastitis with high fever. We felt she was foundering due to her charecteristc stance and rocking back on her heels, but the vet disagreed since she had no heat in her hooves or noticeable pulse. She had always been turned out at night in a dry pasture but the vet felt we should keep her in that night since she was sore. The next morning she could barely move. At that time she was placed on 4 bute a day, banamine, ace, stall rest and shod in reverse shoes with Theraflex pads. We treated her this way and she continued to deteriorate and gain weight from no exercise and the vet's recommendation of free choice oat hay. Rurther x-rays revealed increased rotation and the vet advised that we not trim her or shoe her for 3 months so as not to stress her feet.

Good night, where did your vet graduate from?!? You're lucky your horse survived.

Our farrier advised that we try your method of timming and remove the pad. When I questioned our vet on this she advised us to get another vet, so we did. Our new vet Immediately did a thyroid test, another thing that our old vet had refused to do, and found Shenoah to be severely hypothroid, so she was placed on thyroid medication. Our farrier then did a wild horse trim and we began turning Shenoah out in a small dirt pasture for most of the day. Since that time, she improved dramatically and constantly. She moves beautifully and we have done a lot of rehabilitation bringing her back slowly - probably slower than she would have liked! Being an Arabian mare she is very energetic and athletic and I'm sure that love of movement has contibuted greatly to her recovery. She does still have shoes on but her feet are timmed with the short toes, low heels and correct hairline that you have shown. Our farrier initially did her every 3 weeks but now does her every 6 weeks and her feet are hard and strong with the laminae growing in very tight. I haven't quite gotten the nerve to have her go barefoot since she seems to be doing so well.

Get Dr. Strasser's book, "A Lifetime of Soundness," available at 870-743-4603. It will explain better than I can why you are headed for another laminitis bout continuing to shoe.

For a while after de-shoeing, however, she will be more sore, and may have some abscessing. In the long run you will have a more complete and lasting healing deshoeing and trimming more often. That she is turned out 24/7 and active will work in your favor. Every 6 weeks is nowhere near often enough. You need to trim a lot more often.

You can get protection for her feet while riding with removable horse boots that is actually superior to the protection of shoes with full pads, and definitely more protection than shoes with no pads, but enables you to have the considerable benefits of barefootedness the rest of the time. Boots give better traction and shock absorption than metal shoes as well, and don't break up walls with nail holes. Horsneakers are my first pick.

I do have a question on the supplements you recommended. She is on Thyro-L, Super Blue-Green Algae, Ester C, DMG, Coenzyme Q-10, and dolomite. We give her 1 tsp. of dolomite - is that the amount that you recommend? I can't thank you enough for all the information, and the courage you gave me to go against our vet's advice. I am sure we would have lost ourShenoah if we would have continued with the original therapy. Susan Uchimura Shennytoo@aol.com

There is no doubt in my mind that you would have lost her with the heavy drugs, restrictive shoeing reset so infrequently and stall confinement. I have heard from many foundered horse owners, and these are common threads in cases that often don't do well.

The soil conditions in your area dictate what supplements you need. If you are in an area of the country where the soil needs to be limed to produce better crops--ie, the soil is too acid, and you have higher rainfall--then you can give up to 1 Tbsp. of dolomite. In arid areas that are mineral-rich, this is not needed at all. Your Agricultural Extension Office can advise you about local soil conditions.

I have found that although supplements help, without attacking the problem mechanically (frequent, correct barefoot trims and constant movement and turnout), you won't get very far. However, you can totally turn things around with mechanical means alone.

Once you restore hoof mechanism with frequent, correct barefoot trims and plenty of exercise and constant turnout, you might want to periodically recheck her thyroid levels. Dr. Strasser states in her book that once hoof mechanism is achieved and it restores normal circulation, some metabolic problems begin to correct. I have been getting feedback from readers that would tend to support this. Another frequent effect from restoring hoof mechanism is that skin and coat quality improve.

Do you have hoof mechanism? You do if you see the heel bulbs spread each time she puts weight down on a foot. This movement is severely restricted by any kind of shoeing. You can lose it even when a trim is not maintained often. Trimming even every 3-4 weeks is not enough to maintain hoof mechanism if the horse is not moving enough on abrasive terrain to keep constantly worn down.

Comments

Your site is giving me hope for my horse who has been suffering from founder for about 10 years. Up to 2 years ago I didn't have a lot of problems, but then I moved to Alaska and couldn't take the horse, so I found him a home. They didn't follow my simple directions and his feet got in bad shape. Now I have the horse back, here in Alaska, and want to get him back to riding. I know his heels are too high and am looking forward to reading this entire article and trying it out. Our temp is in the 20's right now. I must take off his toe (it has more dead growth higher than pictures shown.) Will the cold bother his feet if I remove this dead toe? I've tried Easy Boots, but have a hard time keeping them on. Should I try the Horsneakers before I do the "operation" on his toes and heels? Thanks again for putting this information out. Deb Moore debmoore@pobox.mtaonline.net

Small world! My twin brother, Ted Fathauer, lives in Fairbanks, where he is with the National Weather Service....

I strongly urge you to do the photo consulation method with Sabine Kells or Jaime Jackson, and to read a copy of Dr. Strasser's book. In general, I would not recommend what amounts to a resection, especially in cold weather. If there is a section of loose wall, just don't have it quite touch the ground, and keep it from touching with frequent trims. But don't do big resections going way high up. The hoof capsule insulates the internal structure quite well, and if the internal structure is significantly chilled, you will reduce growth and circulation. Back up the toes the way Shelly Kayser's Sugar had her toes backed up. And keep the horse active, preferably turned out 24/7 with other horses. Having feed and water in various locations to encourage more movement is helpful. The more the horse keeps moving, the quicker and better the recovery will be after you get the trim right.

If you really follow through on the Strasser stuff, your horse, who "has been suffering from founder for about 10 years," could be dramatically improved. My horse had been foundered for 4 years with no improvements before I took over his trimming, and began to have real structural improvements at last. It can be done! Boogie, also featured on my page, had been foundered for 5 years. Rachael had never seen him gallop, actually, until lately...after deshoeing and doing the barefoot trims for 2-1/2 months. He is still ouchy on his worst foot, but he was clocked going over 20 mph recently in the thundering herd. (They passed the truck going along the fenceline, racing in for feeding time.) In the past, he had always lagged behind the herd when they galloped.

When you "try out" the method, please read Dr. Strasser's book first so you have an understanding of what you are accomplishing and why. And get some personal feedback on your hoof photos from Sabine Kells, Jaime Jackson, or Dr. Strasser, ideally. Don't do any resections without consulting one of them first! I especially would not do one with an Alaskan winter coming on. Another point Dr. Strasser brings up is that horseshoe nails conduct cold into the interior of the hoof. This chilling of the internal structure is not a good thing. If things get as cold where you are as they do in Fairbanks, I hope you stick with a barefooted approach all the more! When things are 30-50 degrees Fahrenheit below zero, I would not count on hoof boots holding up very well. They might get brittle and shatter, much like the vinyl upholstery on my brother's old Toyota Land Cruiser did during such low temperatures. You might ask Frank Orza if he believes the Horsneakers will handle these temperatures. I have my doubts that any hoof boots will. During temperatures of 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit and colder, home-made hoof boots made out of leather and wool felt might work better.

The increase of circulation and faster growth will inevitably lead to some really painful times when the restored circulation enables the body to clean out damaged tissue via abscessing. However, you will get more structural improvements if you stick with this and do it correctly.

The purpose of Horsneakers is to protect newly deshod feet for riding until they gradually toughen up enough for barefoot riding. They also are useful for long rides on rocky terrain, especially if the horse's feet are adapted to rocky terrain because his pasture is relatively soft ground. This toughening up can take at least a year, and the boots will enable riding a lot sooner than would be feasible otherwise. Frank can do things to make the bottoms more non-skid for icy conditions. I would get his trim right, and then get some Horsneakers for riding. You may get by with just using them on the front feet.

Comments

Hi Gretchen... I finally got all the books, reread them 3-4 times and loaned them all to my farrier. Next loan is to my vet. I wanted to mention that the foam blocks for acute laminitis relief are now available online at Gene Ovenick's website: http://www.hopeforsoundness.com/edss/store/products.html. He also has an instruction video for applying/maintaining the foam. The site also has all his shoeing system stuff but I feel we are strong enough to ignore that and just go for the foam. It was a real life saver for Perla to be able to keep her moving when she first foundered. I love Perla's HorSneakers, just haven't had time enough to be using them as much as I should. All the girls are looking better on full turnout - I now scatter their hay over three acres so they have to find it. Built a water hole, too, but she won't go in it unless it's almost dry. I'm trying to plan for a more "natural" water hole at my new place instead of just flooding around their tank. There's stuff you can get they use to line "man-made lakes", kind of like cement . I think I can make a large shallow depression, line it with this stuff, put in some rocks and dirt and rig up a recirculating line. In Jaime's and Dr. Strasser's books, they write about getting the hooves in water every day, but in Mary Wanless' book she warns about getting into a wet/drying out cycle as causing problems. Leaves me wondering if the water hole is a good idea or might it cause problems? Nice to see the guest book up and running - I was really missing the new updates. Patti Kuvik Vail AZ plwood@azstarnet.com

Re watering holes--At a couple of the barns we visited in BC, they rigged up something a lot simpler and cheaper. They laid out railroad ties around the edges, put a heavy vinyl liner in, and a 4'x6' heavy rubber stall mat on top of the liner inside the railroad ties. A second layer of railroad ties outside the first bunch holds the edges of the liner down. This "pond" can hold water, but easily be drained to change the water. They tie the horse in this thing to eat hay and/or grain in a manger right in front of the foot bath. At least it is a cheaper alternative than calling up the local excavating guys to build a pond. I got a quote on new pond for my place and about collapsed....big pond, but $10,000?!?!!

Re Mary Wanless--her area of expertise is more riding than feet. I would go with Dr. Strasser on this. A lot of the problems with "wet feet" are that they are being wetted by urine-soaked bedding. In the wild, horses will drink once or twice a day, and get their feet wet in clean water in the watering holes at these times. However, in the spring, wild horses are in mud a lot with no ill effects. Overly dry feet are less able to flex and have hoof mechanism. Review the hoof mechanism images at the beginning of my site.

All this movement needs some flexibility. A very dry hoof doesn't have this, and is less able to move enough to have full hoof mechanism. I know, I used to be hung up on the idea that hooves were like solid chunks of cast iron, or something. In truth, there is a lot of movement going on in them.

Comments

I have returned to your site several times, and you never say who you are or how to contact you. I have taken your advice I have a founder mustang, And not only do I cry for him every night, I'm still so confused. My horse doesn't look anything like the pictures. His hoof wall is in good shape. I have had the vet out so many times I'm going crazy. He now says he is a chronic founder and has him on BUTE 4 grams a day. I do agree with a lot you say, but where I get confused is--part of the treatment is the wild horse trim (I'm doing that), but then you say constant movement out with other horses. My horse somedays can't hardly WALK he's in to much pain. I guess I want to take him off the bute, but I'm afraid he won't even get up to eat. I well send pictures, I'll do anything. I'm ready to start trimming him myself, but if I do or I have the farrier you say it's very dangerous if he is't turned out. This horse will VERY slowly walk out of his stall, but he lasts about a half hour and goes to sleep standing up. WHAT DO I DO--PLEASE PLEASE HELP! I love this horse so much it's breaking my heart. Other wise he is still healthy. I would also like to mention SHANE is 33 yrs. old--maybe I'm fighting old age. But he does'nt look old. PLEASE email as soon as you can.

This happens so often--I end up holding people's hands during these abscessing periods, which seem like the end of the world when they're actually happening. When the abscesses finally blow, the horse is a lot better. Many owners who were wondering if euthanasia wouldn't be the kindest thing are seeing there horses making significant improvements after the abscesses clear. They are part of the healing process, but certainly are hard to take at the time!

Comments

This has been one of the most interesting and informative sites I've seen. In May I'd bought a mustang whose feet had been foundered through improper care (he'd overfed on straight corn, plus the trim was bad and he was incorrectly shod). I'm not one who's so sure about shoeing horses anyway, I prefer a more natural approach myself. Now I'm glad to know there are people who support my views on this. I would like more information on the type of trimming you all do; recently my farrier retired, and I have been unable to find another. So I've been trimming my horses myself. For my mustang, my first move was to have his shoes removed and his feet trimmed properly. He's improved dramatically by remaining in a pasture with company to help him keep moving and my rasping his hooves every couple of weeks to a form similar to what you describe. He's rideable now as long as the ground isn't too rocky, and I anticipate trail riding with him next summer. My name is Dee and my email address is pigeonif@usit.net. I'd be happy to talk to any and all other horse people!

Comments

To Shane's owner-- I have complete contact info in Section 6. I suggest you call me.

To Dee-- Delighted to hear your horse is getting better so quickly! You will not have to wait til next summer to go trail riding if you get some horse boots. Jaime Jackson is giving a clinic in Harrison, AR later this month, which would be a good introduction. Where do you live? Also, losing your farrier might force you to learn how to a better job than he was doing for you. That's how it worked out in my case. I was initially freaked out at the prospect of having to take over my animals' hoof care. Lacking the equipment, etc., for shoeing, I opted for trimming as the decent bare minimum of maintenance I owed my old friends. Little did I ever anticipate it would be so successful.

Comments

Hi Gretchen, Finally got the Strasser book, my hubby has done two trims on Willie. It is looking promising already. Yes, he is sore but it is different. I have stopped the bute, he is moving better than he has in the 8 months we've been working on him. We had to trim his frog flatter as it seems to puff toward the ground instead of spreading out- the heel contraction- and he is landing somewhat toe first on his bad foot.

Landing toe first suggests he is having heel pain. A couple of possible causes: the trim is still not correct, or you have abscesses starting in the heel area.

We haven't done anything with the toe yet until we can get the hairline slope. I know the heels aren't low enough yet, but we are getting them down! It takes nerve to do this, especially after vets and farriers recommending RAISING his heel with pads. Hubby is now talking about pulling the TB mare's shoes, she has EPM and the 24/7 turnout has done more for her than anything.

Restoring hoof mechanism and keeping out and moving around 24/7 can only help her. I have been hearing good things about the EPM supplements by ABC. I have had a couple of friends tell me that this stuff helped their EPM horses. 1-800-373-5971 http://www.a-b-c-plus.com/index.html

Do you recommend anything herbal to take the place of bute when he is really ouchy?

There is something called No-Bute that some of my readers are saying good things about, although I have not personally tried it. For info: http://www.emeraldvalleybotanical.com/

And does the toe first landing have to do with trimming the frog or is it maybe something else? His angle in the foot is now 54 and was 60 2 weeks ago. Is this sudden drop causing a problem?

It could be causing a problem, but this is not forever. 60 degree toe angles in the forefeet are abnormally high, even for a horse with no rotation. When you get the heels low enough and leave enough sole in the toe area, you will have angles in the 40's if there is rotation.

He seems better than ever but I still hate to see him hurt at all. Thanks for your time, and the hope you have given us for this great horse. Debbie Collins e-mail is BreezyD23@aol.com

Please don't expect instant relief. This is not an overnight fix! You will progress faster doing the photo consultations with Sabine Kells.

Comments

would love to be able to get the book, Lifetime of soundness, by Strasser. Where can I find it? Thanks.

Hiltrud Strasser
Hufklinik@t-online.de
Institut fur Hufgesundheit
Blaihofstrasse 42/1
72074 T?ingen, Germany
Phone/Fax: 011-49-7071-87572
(The 011 is the international prefix when calling from the USA)

Jaime Jackson
star@alltel.net
PO Box 2181
Harrison, AR 72601, USA
Phone: 870-743-4603
Fax: 870-743-1637

Comments

The site is just great and you do an incredible job of updating and providing infomation and direction. Just spent the day, which was supposed to have been used to do bookkeeping and catalog work, studying your revised pages. The new photos makes me realize your reasons for stressing the need to really get those heels down. Also I appreciate the value of sending in progress photos that just might help others as their's have helped me. Sally Mason, won@frontier.net

Comments

Gretchen, this site is terrific. I have been lowering the heels "to the quick" and dubbing the toe severly on foundered horses for years. It always worked, but I didn't know why. Thank you so much for enlightening me and others. The horses reap the benefit of all your work. I wish I had taken photos of the hooves I fixed to share with your readers. I have greatly enjoyed the photos you included in this site. Keep up the good work. Sincerely Amy Romaniec (e-mail) vpe123@gateway.net

Very interesting! Tell us more about what you've been up to. Are you a farrier? How long have you been doing this, and how many foundered horses have you worked with? Did they return to normalcy?

Comments

Gretchen, Guess I could have told you a little more about myself and the founders I have "fixed." I am a clay artist, have a 10 acre farm and about 15 large ponies. There are about 15 kids that ride with me. I try to teach problem solving. I delight in teaching them to trim the ponies and even drive a few nails when I am shoeing. Imagine an 80# 12-year-old GIRL tacking on a shoe, and setting the clinches. The first founder I tackled was a 10-hand pony mare that was given to me because they deemed her usless. Dolly: well my son was 4 at the time and a timid rider, and Dolly couldn't walk. A 70 year old farier friend said to cut the heels "lower than you think possible" and saw off the toe, at an angle that looked right. Well I had been doing my own shoeing, so I thought I could tackle that, and my son could ride Dolly because she was so slow. Well, of course, low means low and I got blood on the one heel. We kept Dolly in a wet area of the pasture. She hobbled around. Did not wrap the feet, and was sure to give her a TETANUS shot and booster. Did put iodine on the blood, though. I thought she was done for, but was completely supprised when she started to boogie around. The final straw was when she jumped the small ditch with my son on her back! It took about two months, and we took her in a lead line class with one proud cowboy. That was 14 years ago. Dolly went on to be a hand-me-down pony to many famillies. Starlite was next, a 10-hand give-away. I had to tie her head hard to a post so she could lean on it while I trimed her because she was too sore to stand on one front hoof. She came sound and is still in the family delighting kids. Stretch: 11 hands, way over-weight, foundered in all four. Rides, Drives, $100--OK, I'll try him. Well, I worked the magic. Put him in the muddy area. Voila. He came around beautifully and was a favorite lesson pony for many years, and to my knowledge didn't even show he'd been foundered except for a little seperation in the white line. Tussey, 14.3 hand QH mare, mildly foundered in front, trimmed and shod properly jumped 3'3" consistantly. Bonnie, 13.1-hand mare bought at the sale $500. Was shod, but had rings and showed signs of founder, but did not limp. Trimmed, recovered, shows no signs of ever being foundered. By the way, all of these guyes were grass-kept after they recovered! Panda: a spirited Black/white 12.2 mare. Helped herself to a whole sack of oats. On bute for two days, then trimed and put in the wet area. Wow, I didn't really realize how much use I had gotten out of the swamp! Anyway, Panda is recovered. Both Bonnie and Panda have produced three terrific foals, ages 2,3,4 now. They are great lesson ponies and brood mares. There have been others. These are the ones that come to mind. The latest, and actually the reason I looked up founder on the web--I was curious to see what others were doing about it. Marshmellow, 200# overweight, 13.1-hand part Norwegian Fiord. Well "Amy, could you take him back and see if you can 'fix' him?" Okay, this is the second time he foundered for us, the vet says; the bone hasn't rotated. The pony is on bute, we just ran out, the farrier is coming to put the shoes on backwards. Enter Amy. Oh, when I picked up the pony we pulled the trailer close to the barn because he can hardly walk. I wondered if he'll make the 2 hr ride home. The toe is long and the shoe has SIDE CLIPS to boot! The shape of the shoe is a long oval, a #1, I think. These shoes did not allow ANY movement of the hoof at all . What was their farier thinking? Anyway, I am sceptical. Off came the shoes and 1 1/2 " of hoof. Hobbled over in to the mud lot. Wish I had "before" picture. No medication, forced exercise by putting the food at either end of the lot, some vitamins, salt , and one thin flake grass hay.1 month later 50# lighter he started prancing--Wow! So we turned him out in the big lot and watched him careen around with all the guys, even acted studly! 2 months later put 0 shoes on the front, cut a good inch off the front of the toe. Another photo op missed. Today we trail rode him over the mountain 2 hours, on rock and dirt trails. Not a flinch!!! Actually, would not believe it myself if I haden't done it. Oh yes, before taking him up the mountain I used him in a riding lesson .He seemed so glad to be back to work that he threw in many playful bucks! Hope this inspires all that read it to persevere. If I haden't gotten blood on that first hard trim, and then seen the remarkable improvement, I don't think I could have come so far . Your site really hit the nail on the head . Thanks so much. Amy (e-mail) vpe123@gateway.net

Glad you've been proving Dr. Strasser's theories about lowering the heels! Hope you give up shoeing next. When you read her book, I believe you will.

Comments

Gretchen... Followed your link to Hoofcare and Lameness magazine (www.hoofcare.com) and the first thing that showed up was a farewell tribute to Burney Chapman, who died on November 11. Just thought I'd pass this on in case you didn't know. Patti Kuvik Vail AZ plwood@azstarnet.com

Yes, I had heard that Burney had been battling brain cancer for over a year, and that starting this spring he really started to suffer.

Comments

Great idea and we will trial you trim on our yearling and pony first and one mare when she returns from the stud.

Comments

--Hi, I was wondering if you could please help me. We have a horse at work that when she was younger was never looked after properly and now she is constantly lame and you can't keep shoes on her, plus I think her weight is also a factor, as she has always been a large horse. If nothing can be done her owners will send her to the horse works as pet food and I really want to help. Our farrier says that corrective shoing won't help at all and we can't keep shoes on her for more than a few days without them coming off. She also has vey bad cracks in her feet that aren't just superficial. She also stands back off her pasterns. Any help ideas anything would be greatly appreciated.

She COULD be helped. She will do better without shoes, anyway. Hoof boots are perfect for horses with weak walls like her. When you improve her hoof mechanism with a correct trim and plenty of movement, she will eventually grow much stronger walls. Not hopeless, but it can be a longer haul than these owners may be willing to deal with. A very tough situation.

Comments

Wonderful website. Just happened upon it and found it very informative. I have a 13 year old Shetland mare. She was given to me a week ago with what you call the "egyptian slipper toe". Her rear feet were banana shaped and her front feet were starting to turn skyward. When she walked it looked like she was leaning back to walk. I had my farrier come out and trim her. The rear feet are close to being right. The fronts will take a lot more trimming to get them right. I was researching on the web to see what information exhisted about this condition. You sight is by far the most informative. I am going to look further on this docor's results and see if my farrier will consent to these trimmings to bring her feet out normal. He had voiced concerns that she would always founder from here out if allowed out in grass of any kind. He also recommended a man from Paducah Ky that supposedly can "cure" founder/laminitis and return circulation. I am a little skeptic because this man supposedly does this in 10 days. That is why I am researching instead of just jumping on the bandwagon. joneslr@ascglobal.com Lisa R Jones

Dr. Strasser's case, "Charlotte," was just as bad before the initial trim she had before she was taken to the Strasser clinic. I still don't have these photos. I am highly sceptical of any one who says they can cure a case this severe in 10 days. One of Charlotte's problems, and one which your pony will have as well, is that having her bones out of correct alignment for so long resulted in the joints wearing into the mis-aligned shape, and tendons being stretched to accommodate the abnormal bone alignment. Bones are living organs, that can and do respond to changing stresses by remodelling. Correcting the alignment will force her joints to remodel back again, and this is a slow process. Charlotte needed several months of being trimmed by Dr. Strasser 2x weekly before she was fit to go home. She did improve a lot, but certainly not an overnight cure.

I do agree that once you restore hoof mechanism and keep it going with frequent correct trims, she will be able to handle grass. Many of my readers are reporting this to me, and my own horse is handling grass much better now, too. I urge you to get X-rays so your farrier will be more sure of where to trim.

Once you restore circulation with a correct hoof shape, the body will begin to clear out damaged tissue via abscesses. You will have some real rough periods because of this, but once the abscesses blow, the pony will have less pain and things will be better. The pony may abscess again later, too. You will also have soreness from the change in bone alignment that trimming her terribly distorted feet will result in. Her recovery will be a minimum of a year. It can be done, but there will be some painful periods, especially in the beginning, where it is easy to lose hope. When these times come, hang in there, and don't give up!

I am appalled that anyone would neglect this poor pony for as long as it took her to grow those long feet! On the plus side, though, that her feet were able to grow this long without breaking off shows she grows strong wall, and often ponies recover a little faster than horses. Bless you for taking her on, and keep in touch.

Comments

Gretchen, A week ago I picked up another foundered pony, Sherbet. She was X-rayed and deemed untreatable because the coffen bone had rotated. The vet sugested putting her down. For the past year the farrier has been triming and she has been hobbling. The owners tried several herbal remedies. Thank goodness they didn't destroy her. I sugested your triming methods. This time I photographed the before and after, which I will send along later. When she arrived she hobbled. The heels were easilly 4" long, and the cornary band was even with the ground. After the first trim, where I took off 2'" of heel, she could walk. Now a week later she is the boss of the two ponies in her lot, You would never guess how bad she was. A long way for this 10 year old 12 Hand pony "who should have been put down." I have passed on the address of this site to her owners and hopefully they will inform their farier and vet. Also, I have tryed the dolomite in the feed. It seems to be softening up both ponies' crests. Thanks again for this terrific site. I have recomended it to many horse owners and a few fariers that I know. Amy

Comments

First time I saw your page I thought it was a sales gimmick, many unclear sketches and ideas. You have made many improvments to this site and helped to save one very hard working circus pony (retired) for his owners. They were the first to let me try this. I am truly Impressed by this method, it is working where nothing else has. On a sad note, the other horse I was doing this with was put down on the advice of the vet. ( I'm beggining not to like vets) because he didn't belive the horse would get better AFTER an abccess and minor relapse. If the owners had called me I would have reminded them this was the man who wanted to put the horse down when it first foundered and kept telling them to keep it in the stall. How do you decide who is right the farrier or the vet?

I know it must really bother you to be trying to treat horses you have so little control over. I am surprised a vet would not realize an abscess is not forever!

When you try this method, it should not be done on horses who are kept confined to stalls. If the owners are not willing to keep the horse free and moving, I'm afraid doing this method is not a good idea. If people would just feel their horse's feet after he has been standing around during sore periods--really hot--and after a 15-20 walk--immediate reduction in heat and soreness--they would see WHY keeping the horse moving is a good thing. I don't even condone overnight stalling.

These owners should ideally at least read this site to understand what is being done, or better yet, Dr. Strasser's book. So many owners do not want to go to that much trouble--they just want you to nail on a miracle so they won't have to change anything about how they house and care for the horse. Ah, well! Common sense is such a rare commodity1

Comments

This web site is helping me a lot. By printing out one section per evening and studying it section by section it has become an excellent study guide to not only learn Dr. Strasser's methods, but to learn more about Laminitis and the anatomy of the foot.

Comments

What a great site - my 29 yr. old pet foundered for the first time this year. Most recommendations I get is to put him to sleep - he is in such pain it hurts my soul. Doc is recommending a nerve block - I tend to agree because he is too old to suffer - my other horse lived until he was 36 though - so I would still like to try your trimming techniques - I cannot thank you enough for the hope!! Any feedback on the nerve block would be greatly appreciated.

I am not very enthusiastic about this idea. A nerved horse is much more likely to stumble and fall because he can't feel the ground; he is more likely to break a leg or bow a tendon. You will not know if he founders again until you have sole penetration or hoof slough--IF the nerving is successful in eradicating pain in the toe area. He could step on a nail and not feel it, so you might not know in time that there is a problem that needs to be treated.

This brings us to another point. Nerving is usually done for heel pain (navicular). I am not sure how effective it will be in the toe area, though.

Futher, the nerves do grow back, sometimes in many branches instead of just one nerve.

For immediate pain relief, you can do barshoes and drugs, which will give immediate relief for a while, but will have a price tag in the end. The approach I am advocating WILL result in more pain for a while, especially when abscesses begin to form. They are part of the healing and repair process, but really hard to take at the time. It is worth it, though, to go through this stage if it results in real structural improvements. Only you can decide if you can handle this, though. I did this stuff with Max, who is now 26, and there was a bad period we both lived through that was depressing. Now I am very glad, though, as he has more concavity now than he has had in years. But it's hard during the early stages....I know. Only you can decide what you can handle doing.

Comments

Wonderful web site. Thanks so much for all your effort - the dawning of the light is here! email: silverbear@neca.com

Comments

I find it very refreshing to know that Nature, once again, rules!! I found your site because I was looking for a reason why my Mammoth Jack stallion's outer wall on his right-front hoof was buckled out with a vertical crack below the coronary band, after a recent trim and reset (he had been shod four months because he had abcessed at his left hind). Although my stallion is not foundered, I read your "abstract" anyway. The only change my stallion has had was a change of blacksmiths. So I had a "mule" farrier remove the 4 shoes from my stud, and the next day the heat was gone from my stud's outer wall, where it was tearing below the coronary band (vertically) to about 1.5 inches down. When my stud takes a step with that right hoof, the crack buckles open/out when viewed from the side (the vertical crack is only on one side, not both). Currently, I've only applied hooflex on the coronet band to keep the crack from traveling upwards and bandage the hoof below the coronet band with vetwrap. The mule farrier lowered my stud's heels and snubbed the toe, as you speak about. Plus, my stock is out to pasture roaming on 70 acres. I firmly believe in your concept of a better hoof with no shoes. It's winter here in Colorado and I'm beginning to wonder if this hoof problem was a result of the steel nails and the cold having more access to penetrate the inner hoof. All your concepts sound realistic and logical. But the abcess has healed and the shoes are off. What do you think could cause the outer hoof wall below the middle of the coronet band, about 1.5 inches square, to crack on the left side and buckle out with each step?? I've owned this animal for almost 2 years and this has never happened to him before. Enjoyed reading the article.

Here is the section on HOOF CRACKS from Dr. Strasser's book, "A Lifetime of Soundness"--

"Cracks in the hoof capsule are the result of unnatural forces and tensions, as caused by shoeing and/or improper trimming. Once the cause is recognized and removed, the cracks will heal (grow out) and not recur. Recurrence of cracks is an obvious sign that the cause was not removed.

"Cracks in the quarter region result from the hoof capsule's attempt to expand despite fixation by the shoe. In the area behind the last nail, the wall is 'creased' through its attempt to move; if, at the same time, long heels are present, their lever action will tear the wall from the coronet down. Patching, bolting, glueing, screwing or otherwise mechanically reconnecting the torn sides (treating the symptom) will result in neither permanent healing not prevention of future recurrences. The cause (improper hoof shape and shoes) must be removed and the hoof trimmed to its natural, healthy shape (this almost always means shortening the heels and reversing contraction).

"Cracks in the heel area (such as with curved-in heels) can be treated successfully by first removing the cause (the unnatural lever actions) through proper trimming, and keeping the horse in natural living conditions, allowing the flaw to grow out.

"Cracks in the toe from the ground up form if the wall at the toe is too long. The lever action of this long wall forces the toe to split. Once the hoof is trimmed properly and maintained in its physiologically correct shape, these creacks will grow out and not recur.

"Cracks in the toe from the middle or the coronet down are always linked to very high, steep heels and heel pain.

"The unnatural upright shape of the hoof results in excessive force with each step onto the frontal area of the coffin bone and as such the front of the coronet. Poor horn quality results here due to the abnormal pressure. With long, vertical heels, the crack forms not in the quarter region (as it would if the heels were slanted and exerted lever forces) but in the middle of the coronet. The crack is always to the inside, and as it grows down, it pushes onto the corium, causing the bone in this area to degenerate (and resulting in the formation of keratoma, which is not a cause for lameness, but a result of the damage done by high heels.) Often, the toe region may be seen to become "flat," that is, it loses its circular outline, before the crack occurs.

"Toe cracks, too, can be treated successfully and prevented from recurring by establishing proper hoof shape and giving the horse natural living conditions."

Comments

I loved your articles(book) and am going to start your method immediately. After 2 years of no progress, maybe we can get somewhere.

Comments

This sight has been a revelation! Today was the proof. I recently acquired a slightly foundered horse. He was X-rayed last month (Nov) and then again today. I have lowered his heels to the recommended 30 degree angle on the hairline and his radiographs showed his coffin bone is now parallel. My vet commented that he has grown nice heel since she saw him last month. He was very ouchy on the concrete floor of her clinic, and he is walking on his sole at the toes. His radiographs showed that his sole is considerably thinner than last month. I was not too alarmed (of course I was a little) by this since a letter on your site explained that you often will see further rotation or dropping of the coffin bone when all the former support is gone. My vet immediately told me Buddy could never be comfortable barefoot and that he would bruise and abcess. She wanted me to put shoes on him backwards so that I could shorten the toe and he would have heel support. I decided to bite the bullet and defy her recommendations. This was hard since I had just bought him from her vet tech who was standing with us. They both were understanding and supportive. They encouraged me to document with pictures (where have I heard this before?). Thank you so much for helping me with this wealth of information. I hope to continue learning about these techniques. Thanks again, Paige ,SPPoss@mindspring.com

You will get even more protection from bruising with removable hoof boots, which will not inhibit hoof mechanism like shoes nailed on backwards. Glad you stuck by your guns!

Article in sections with "thumbnail" photos for ~~fastest~~ downloads:
   1           9          17
2         10         18
3          11         19
4          12         20
  5          13         21
6          14         22
7          15         23
        8          16        24
NAVICULAR

Article in sections with full-sized photos for print-outs:
   1           9          17
2         10         18
3          11         19
4          12         20
  5          13         21
6          14         22
7          15         23
8          16        24
NAVICULAR