~Hoof Information~
Please visit our Case Studies Page to view horses with hoof pathologies that we are currently working with to correct.
On this page, you will find information about the structure of hooves and common hoof problems that horses may face, such as founder. I have come across many horses with these debilitating hoof conditions. I enjoy working with horses and their owners to help make the horse comfortable and to regain overall health and soundess.
The overall health and quality of a horses hoof depends upon many things: Genetics, Environment, Nutrition and Hoof Care. The environment that your horse lives in plays a major role in the quality of a horses hooves. Moisture (too dry or wet) & terrain(sandy, rocky, hard ground) also determine the health of a horses hoof. Too much moisture can cause thrush, abcesses, even cracks & splits. The environment being too dry can also cause chipping and splitting of the hoof wall if it is not properly trimmed . Making sure that your horse gets all of the nutrients it needs to have strong & healthy hooves is also important. Hoof Supplements can be added to a horses daily grain ration to help strengthen the hoof horn itself; but is NOT a 'cure' for all of your horses hoof problems. Horses with Cushings Disease or laminitis ( founder ) have different nutritional needs than a healthy horse. Keeping your horse on a regular trimming or shoeing schedule is also very important. Domestic horses cannot wear away their hooves like wild horses. Wild horses wear their hooves naturally by traveling many miles a day over rough, hard terrain. Domestic horses have all of their needs met by humans, and do not have to travel several miles every day to find food or water. Hooves that are not properly taken care of can cause a horse much pain and the owner a lot of money. If you have a horse, it is your responsibility to care for him/her and give proper environment, nutrition, exercise and care!
~Parts of the Hoof~
~Hoof Regions~
~Inside the Hoof~
Here is a list of the internal structures of a heathy hoof:
1 - Long Pastern Bone
2 - Short Pastern Bone
3 - Coffin Bone
4 - Coronary Band
5 - Laminar Corium
6 - Hoof Wall
7 - Sole
8 - Frog
9 - Digital Cushion
10 - Heel Bulbs
*Notice how the Coffin Bone (3) sits parallel with the bottom of the Hoof *
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~Common Hoof Problems~
Below are some common hoof problems that horses face. Treatment and Rehabilitation of these hoof problems are different for every horse.
~Founder & Laminitis~
Laminitis is condition of the hoof where infection and loss of blood circulation in the hoof capsule decrease, causing the sensitive laminae inside to become inflamed, swollen and begin dieing. This creates extreemly painfull pressure inside of the hoof, leading to separation of the hoof wall tissues. The laminae are the 'bonding glue' and main support between the coffin bone and the hoof wall. When this 'glue' fails to hold, the coffin bone inside of the hoof can rotate downwards towards the sole, causing founder. The coffin bone can actually penetrate through the bottom of the hoof. Below is an x-ray of a rotated coffin bone and photo of coffin bone penetration.
What is the difference between Laminitis and Founder?
The terms Laminitis and Founder are often used interchangeably. This is incorrect, although laminitis frequently leads to founder. Laminitis is an infection of the laminae, or tissue that connects the coffin bone to the hoof wall. It is a debilitating disease that causes the delamination of a horse’s hoof. As the layers of the hoof wall delaminate (separate) they cause extreme pain in the sensitive tissues underneath the hoof wall. (The sensitive laminae are living tissues that connect with the insensitive laminae to form a strong and durable bond between the hoof wall and the coffin bone.)
Founder occurs when the bond between the sensitive and insensitive laminae completely fails, as the laminae die. This causes the attachment of the coffin bone to the hoof to break down, damaging arteries and veins and crushing the remaining living tissues around the coffin bone. In extreme cases, as the whole weight of the horse bears down on the coffin bone, it will rotate downwards and through the sole of the hood to the ground. (The term “to founder” is a maritime expression meaning to sink.)
Usually the horse’s front feet are affected, although laminitis can affect the back feet as well. The front feet are usually affected because they support close to 60 percent of the body weight.
*Notice how the coffin bone is not parallel with the bottom of the hoof *
Coffin Bone Penetration
Here is a photo of a severely rotated coffin bone in a horses hoof. This is the worst degree of founder that a horse can face. Some horses and thier owners may loose the battle with founder once it becomes this severe. It IS NOT a death sentence for all horses when faced with a penetrated coffin bone.
Last year I had a client with a QH mare who had foundered. Her coffin bone had penetrated her sole, and the mare was severely lame. I and her owner put her on a 4 week trimming schedule to begin with, and after a few months took her to a 6 week schedule. The owner took the mare off of pain medication after the first month. I am happy to say that the mare is now sound, and has normal, healthy hooves. She recently gave birth to a AQH filly and is doing a wonderful job as a mother! This goes to show that this condition can be overcome when treated promptly & properly through knowledgeable hoof care and nutrition.
~Causes~
Some of the main causes of founder/laminitis are:
A horse may be fed too much feed, or may break into a feed bin and gorge itself. This causes an overload of carbohydrates in the intestine leading to the production of bacterial toxins- They cause a loss of blood supply to the hooves. A lifestyle rich in grains and starches can slowly lead to laminitis and ultimately founder.
Water Founder
Giving a hot and tired horse water, and/or suddenly cooling an overworked horse down with water can cause a sudden shock to the horses system shutting down peripheral circulation. This interferes with the blood supply to the hooves.
Postparturient Founder
This type of founder can result if a mare foals and retains some of the placenta membranes in her uterus. This produces bacterial toxins.
Stress Founder
Horses that are under stress or that have hormonal imbalances may self induce founder.
Road Founder
Working a horse or riding for long periods of time on hard ground.
Drugs and Toxins
Overdoses of perscription steriods can reduce peripheral circulation.
Standing on Black Walnut shavings and other hardwood shavings can allow toxins to enter the hoof, causing laminitis.
Imbalanced Weight Bearing
If a horse has an injured leg or hoof, causing it to bear all weight on the opposite hoof.
Having Insulin Resistance
A form of 'horse diabetes' called Equine Metabolic Syndrome or Cushing's
~Symptoms~
'Seedy Toe'
Less activity/reluctant to move
Reluctant to turn Standing rocked back with hind feet under the body, and front feet stretched out Hooves warmer than normal Lying down more than normal Depression Blood in whiteline Fever rings may be visible on the hoof wall Pounding pulse in affected legs
Symptoms may be slight or severe
Painful response when pressure is applied to the sole
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~Navicular Syndrome & Navicular Disease~
Navicular Disease is a lameness in both front feet of the horse; but can also be seen in just one foot. This condition occurs when the navicular bone inside of the hoof capsule is put under constant pressure and strain causing gradual deterioration of the navicular bone at the back of the horse's foot, near the heel. It can involve the Navicular Bone itself and/or other parts of the hoof associated with it. The result of this is inflammation and pain in the heels of the horse. It also can be caused by trauma to the navicular bone and interference with blood supply to the hoof capsule. It can affect horses as young as five years.
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Over the past decade,veterinarians have been diagnosing fewer and fewer cases of true navicular disease. Instead many elect to classify any horse with 'navicular region' pain or heel pain, as a navicular syndrome horse. So what is the difference between a disease and a syndrome? The truth is, not very much.
Disease is defined as a pathological condition of a part, organ, or system of an organism resulting from various causes, such as infection, genetic defect, or environmental stress, and characterized by an identifiable group of signs or symptoms.
Syndrome is more generally defined as a group of symptoms that collectively indicate or characterise a disease, psychological disorder, or other abnormal condition.
By using the term syndrome, a veterinarian may feel he has left his options open. He doesn't have to deal with the stigma that surrounds a diagnosis of true navicular disease, where the prognosis is seen as very poor. The term disease implies a known cause and a specific treatment but by calling it a syndrome, prognosis is left to the discretion of the attending veterinarian.
Many different things can cause heel pain in a horse, mimicking true Navicular Disease:
Deep Sulcus Thrush infections, Sore or Bruised heels, Pedal Osteitis, Under-run/Crushed heels, Sheared heels, Digital flexor tendonitis, ect.
~Causes of Navicular Disease and Syndrome~
Low Heels paired with Long Toes
Contracted Heels
Impropper Trimming
Constant Shoeing & Incorrect Shoeing
Toe First Landing
Trauma
~Symptoms~
Contracted Heels in one or both front feet
Progressive lameness involving one or both front hooves
Sensitivity to hoof testers when the heels or central third of the frog is compressed
A stiff, shuffling gait with a choppy, short stride
Hooves landing toe first when walking or trotting
Stumbling
Heel Pain
Increased lameness after or during a sharp turn
Resting or pointing the most affected foot, or alternating between hooves
Work in Progress.....
Buffalo Creek Stables, LLC
Kershaw, SC
Lynette Herrick
Cell: (803)-669-3524
Home: (803)-475-9951
Work in Progress...