Hoof Soreness
By Matt Johnstone, CJF
As Appeared in American Farriers Journal December, 1995
The following case study was presented to a panel of examiners as part of the American Farrier's Assn. Therapeutic Endorsement program.
History: This case study involves C-Cup, a 17-year-old quarter-type paint mare which had retired at the age of 12 after foundering.
In August, 1993, the horse became lame on the right front, but was kept shod with pads since the attending farrier thought lameness was due to arthritis.
Findings and Diagnostics: Upon my initial examination on October 6, 1993, the horse was three-legged lame. I noted medial-lateral imbalance, a sheared heel, onycholysis of the medial wall, heat and a strong digital pulse.
I recommended the owners call veterinarian Tom Johnson of Lansing, MI. The sheared medial heel indicated continued non-loading of the medial wall and heel.
The veterinarian's examination concluded there was medial hoof soreness, an elevated white cell count and a strong digital pulse.
Diagnosis: X-rays revealed pedalostitis of the medial aspect with a large amount of bone loss, as well as translucency indicating possible abscesses.
Treatment: Plans were made for a resection and exploration. I performed the resection of horny material and debrided the laminae. The veterinarian performed the exploration into the corium revealing two abscess pockets. Both abscesses were in the vicinity of where the P3 used to be.
A heart bar shoe was made and placed on the horse, which showed immediate relief.
Follow-Up: C-Cup was examined 2 and 8 weeks after the exploratory work and showed continual improvement.
She continues to improve, is pasture sound and is shod with keg shoes and no pads.
| RIGHT FRONT LAMENESS. Matt Johnstone, a farrier from Chesterfield Township, MI, found a medial lateral imbalance, a sheared heel and onycholysis of the medial wall of the right front hoof with C-Cup. |
 
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| HEART BAR RELIEF. Following a hoof resection and debridement of the laminae (photo top), a heart bar shoe was made. At bottom, a view of the medial wall where onycholysis was located and treated. |
 
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| ROAD TO RECOVERY. Top photo, C-Cup is healing properly 8 weeks after the hoof resection. Bottom photo, C-Cup points her left hoof showing relief from injury. |
 
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| COFFIN BONE DETERIORATION. Top, an anterior-posterior oblique radiograph shows the coffin bone deterioration which was occurring in C-Cup's hoof. Other radiographs examined include anterior-posterior (middle) and medial-lateral (bottom). |
  
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