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Articles & Information
FROM THE HOOFCARE & LAMENESS ARCHIVES State
of the Art: Problem Management "Don't shoe a horse to be perfect. Shoe a horse for the way he wants to go," were the words of advice that Pennsylvania farrier Kearney Hilliard gave a group of farriers one day. More and more, around the USA at least, farriers are calling for something called "managed imbalance" in the horses they shoe or even "intentional imbalance" is another term. "Take it past balance" was an expression used by Ric Redden in his Symposium lectures. New
ideas heard casually included an offhand remark by Dr. Larry Bramlage,
"People do graft coronary bands...." Speaking
informally on the topic of white line disease (for more on this
problem, see detailed report in Hoofcare and Lameness 914),
Massachusetts farrier Myron McLane suggested at the AFA Convention
that white line disease may be more of hoof wall defect than a
condition of the white line itself. Myron suggested painting with
merthiolate after debriding and using a heartbar shoe. While
on the topic of white line disease, it is important to note that
considerable controversy is raging in the FDA over the potential
danger of cancer from exposure to benzoyl peroxide, the ingredient in
acne medicine that has been recommended in the treatment of white line
disease and other foot conditions. Hoofcare and Lameness will keep you
posted. However, if you are using benzoyl peroxide for treatments,
wearing surgical gloves is advised. Benzoyl peroxide is in Clearasil,
auto body cream hardener, and can be used in stronger solutions.
Meanwhile, new animal studies are being conducted by the FDA. Asked
for suggestions to treat thrush, members of a panel had these
suggestions at the AFA Convention: .
Check where on the foot, and the horse's environment. Sometimes thrush
is caused by the foot's conformation. Get air into the foot. Use a
topical application, soak in salt water (not epsom salts). (Farrier
Rod Harney, Oregon) .
Use a whirlpool, also try applications of sugardyne. (Farrier/veterinarian
Bob Racich, Wisconsin) .
Try to dry out the corium (Dr. Bramlage) Researchers
at Cornell University in New York report an increase in cases of
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALD), or Lou Gehrig's disease, in
horses in the northeastern United States. About 30 cases have been
diagnosed. Early signs of the disease, which is a degeneration of the
motor neurons, include shortening strides, weight loss, and muscle
atrophy, often accompanied by increase in appetite. This article originally appeared in Hoofcare & Lameness: The Journal of Equine Foot Science and is available for your personal use only. Re-publication is prohibited without the express written permission of Hoofcare & Lameness. Detailed information on this and many other hoofcare topics can be found in Hoofcare & Lameness publisher Fran Jurga's award-winning guide to hoofcare, "Understanding the Equine Foot". For more information, or to order, click here Back to the articles table of contents Write to H&L: PO Box 6600, Gloucester, MA 01930. Tel 978 281 3222; fax 978 283 8775. Email webinquiry@hoofcare.com. Internet http://www.hoofcare.com. © 1998
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