INTERNSHIP AT FORGING AHEAD - Report # 3 by Alan Baker RN BSN MBA
Internship at Forging Ahead - Report 3It has been a long busy summer with barely time to stand up and take a breath, let alone find a moment to write an article. We're going strong daily while all the eventers are getting in their last jumps and chasing their last foxes before bracing for what's expected to be another severe Virginia winter. Many will haul their horses south to Florida or other southern states seeking refuge from the cold before the worst of winter hits.
I was scrambling for an interesting case to write about when this horse was trailered into the shop the other day. She's a seven year old Thoroughbred mare who's been 2-3/5 lame for three weeks including a progressively worsening toe crack up to the coronary band that's been present for a year. I palpated a strong pulse and found her left front was much warmer than her right. She was also slightly positive to hoof testers at the toe. The owner stated that this mare is also prone to abscesses.
We began by aggressively cleaning the crack with a hoof knife up to the coronary band, then used a Dremmel at the coronary band to enhance new hoof growth.
A grinder was used on the heels of the Series 1 (used at the toe of the hoof) to bring breakover back, and then the toe of the Series 1 (used at the heel of the hoof) was rolled with a grinder because she lands heel first. At the same time the aluminum was cooled with Co2 to prevent the rubber and aluminum from separating during grinding. Afterwards the entire aluminum surface only was cooled in water making sure the fiber material didn't get wet.
The reverse Series 1 was glued on as an open toe bar shoe to support the boney column and relieve any pressure in the toe. The fiber material at the back of the Series 1 was also removed before applying to minimize any heel pressure. This still left two sturdy fiber support areas on both the medial and lateral sides of the hoof to hold the shoe in place.
The last step was to use EQUITHANE for heel support.
Podi was used and will be applied every day (QD) for one week, every other day (QOD) for a week, every three days (QTD)for a week , and finally once a week (QW).
The owner will have a follow up appointment in four weeks here at the shop.