The front hooves of a 12 year old pony with "sore feet." I assume the horse has laminitis but the owner was not present to confirm. More details on the other pictures.
The RF has had a toe resection that removes the wall at the toe. This relieves the pressure of the inflamed tissue that underlies the wall. Many farriers and vets agree with this procedure and many do not. I have seen mixed results.
The LF does not have a toe resection but like the RF, it has had a groove drilled out from one quarter to the other. I am not sure the function of this.
Another look at the LF
Another view of the RF.
The RF lateral side view shows an extremely long heel with curved tubules in the hoof wall. The crushed heels shows that this is a chronic case with the pony landing on the heels - typical for laminitis. Due to the shoeing, the heels have been allowed to grow. An X-ray of this view would probably show a rotated coffin bone.
The LF medial side view without the curved tubules but still a long heel. An X-ray of this view would probably show less rotation than the RF and would give a reason that this hoof did not have the resection done.
The RF medial side.
The LF lateral side
Cold wraps and hooves wrapped in Elastikon over padding for this laminitis horse.
