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RE: [RC] feeling depressed about underrun heels.... - Kitley, Carrie E Civ USAF AFSPC 30 MDSS/SGSLFHi all - I have also been in the midst of the long process (2 years), of attempting to remedy high/low syndrome on my mare. I recently spent a bundle of $$$ on EponaTech diagnostic xrays to determine exactly where her bones were in relation to hoof walls, etc. and it proved to be very revealing. My vet specializes in hoof care and diagnotics and is an advocate of this relatively new technical process to obtain perfect hoof alignment, thereby having a very clear picture of the angles that need to be corrected and to which degree, etc. I was impressed with it and don't regret spending the money on it because to me, she is worth it. So, together with a farrier who specializes in corrective hoof care (both barefoot and shod), my own farrier and my vet present, she was trimmed properly and shod with wedges, pads and hopefully within a year will be even on all fours. I've read a ton of material and a million posts on this subject and it seems that there is never a definitive answer on what is the best corrective protocol for high/low syndrome. Shoes, pads, wedges, bare? I'm so deflated, confused, frustrated and can certainly relate to the subject line above. Before we did this, she always had a slight drop in her left shoulder (the low heel side), and now that she has been corrected, seems to be off on the opposite side. If we were to attend a ride at this point, I believe she would again be pulled because of this. She's totally rideable, but I wouldn't take her in an LD right now. She's rarin' to go but tires out quicker than normal, for her. I almost think she was better when she was uneven. :( I went for all the corrective options because I didn't want her to end up permanently lame someday. At first I thought it might be that her muscles were adjusting and re-compensating for being even after two years of being uneven. (Clear as mud?) It was July 3rd that we did the "big correction." I would think she would be 'good to go' by now. I'm really bumming out about all this now and worried that there may be an ongoing lameness issue and that all our efforts have only served to make things worse. When I spoke to all 3 of them about giving her a balanced trim and leaving her barefoot, they all said "bad idea." I love this horse with all my heart and she is an amazing girl, with ARC and old Crabbett bloodlines. I feel like I have a Ferrari with a flat tire and no spare. I don't know what to do next. *sniff* ;( Bottom line, I just want her to be comfortable and be able to do the job she lives for. Carrie Kitley 30th Medical Group, Vandenberg AFB DMLSS?Database Sustainment Specialist (DSS) CACI?International Inc? www.caci.com dsn?276-1077, Comm (805) 606-1077 fax dsn?276-1179 <\_~ // \\ carrie.kitley@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx? -----Original Message----- From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of sherman Sent: Tuesday, August 05, 2008 6:41 PM To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [RC] feeling depressed about underrun heels.... Was your horse barefoot during the rehab period? Just curious as all the info I've read on under-run heels nearly always involved long toe, and the fix for it was to keep the toe short, which can't really be done on a shod hoof. So it's not really "fixing" the problem, but managing the condition. I have a horse with the problem, and his afflicted hoof does much better when I keep him bare, but it is more of a hassle to boot when we ride. Since he no longer does endurance rides, we keep him barefoot and the toe is kept under control, which has strengthened the heel as well. In addition, his quarters were beginning to weaken and crumble (that was the catalyst for going barefoot) and they are now strong. There is lots of advice from professional trimmers (as well as the non-professional) at the yahoo group, barefoothorsecare. There are also links to several good websites on hoof care. Kathy We're on week 8 of a 12 week rehab program for my 6 yr. old gelding's underrun heels. ?After his first ride out on the trail (flat, open, easy 7 miles), he came up so lame he didn't know which foot to limp on. ?Our vet (Dr. Bryant who came highly recommended by a bunch of you ridecampers) prescribed wedges and pads, but my farrier, who comes highly recommended by Dr. Bryant, says wedges and pads are a bad idea. ?What's the rider/trainer to do when caught between two competent professionals? ? I've been reading like crazy and can't find a definitive answer. ?Any ideas out there? Mary K.? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
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