Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

> I don't have any objection to using pea gravel, just be 
> vigilant in causing ouchiness until the feet do have a chance 
> to toughen up.  And, I probably wouldn't advise using it in 
> laminitic horses until well past the acute stage.
Yep... Good advice. I heard that there have been recent studies that prove
that the best thing for laminitic horses is a sandy surface - not deep sand,
just enough to support the sole.

The bottom line is that movement and stimulation encourages the sole to
toughen and develop, and that's why I only put pea gravel one area - a
favorite area. The horse will be drawn to it, but won't stay there if it's
uncomfortable.

Linda Cowles
Certified Hoof Care Provider
707-869-8270 - Home
707-621-0240 - Cell
HealthyHoof@xxxxxxxxxxx
www.HealthyHoof.com









> -----Original Message-----
> From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
> [mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Susan 
> E. Garlinghouse, D.V.M.
> Sent: Sunday, April 17, 2005 5:23 PM
> To: healthyhoof@xxxxxxxxxxx
> Cc: 'Ridecamp'
> Subject: RE: [RC] to shoe or not... 
>
>
> > The one thing that's really making a big difference with some of my 
> > horses is an idea that Pete Ramey suggested, a loose pea 
> gravel loafing 
> > area to toughen feet, particularly feet that are soft 
> because of seasonal moisture.
> > One of my clients hopped on the idea and I'm seeing great 
> feet in just 
> > a few weeks. The pea gravel really massages and toughens the sole.
> However, I would be careful with pea gravel in horses with 
> *really* soft soles.  After the wet winter, I'm treating a 
> lot more solar abscesses, and even a small rock seems to be 
> sufficient to cause a bruise and subsequent abscess in *some* 
> horses.  I have one horse in my practice with very thin soles 
> on pea gravel that was just miserable until we put him onto shavings.
> JMO.
>
> Susan Garlinghouse, DVM, MS
>
>
>
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