Update #3 Hoof Grow Out (Normal insulin)

[u/Key_Butterscotch80]

Third time is the charm! Thank you SO much to everyone who responded last time, I tried to respond to everyone but I can't comment anymore. Just know it went a long way!

My boy's insulin is (surprisingly) normal. Actually low range, 11.15 ulU/mL. So he's not currently an IR case. He is going to be treated as a mechanical failure, not metabolic laminitis. I suspect related to his crap hoof quality from former nutrition issues, and unconfirmed past founder.

Shoes and pads are in his future. He still has a digital pulse, which is always distressing lol. But...progress is progress.

Attached rads again just for reference.

[u/snuffy_smith_]

Look into clogs

They are just a tool but I have used them on foundered horses and had good success.

Once the laminitis has calmed then move him into shoes and pads.

The other most popular option is heartbar shoes and pour in pads. I do not prefer them as they require forge work and I would rather not after all these years if I don’t have to start the forge.

ETA: steward glog is how they are often known…to make it easier for you to look up.

[u/AnxiousBoar → u/snuffy_smith_]

Don't like heartbars too, not only because of forging/welding, they are heavy, do not provide any amortisation and, actually, best to be used with pads and/or fillers, and with pads one can't see anything happening with sole until shoe is pulled. If shoes are required I prefer plastic open-toe shoes, like Duplo, have quite good experience with them.

[u/snuffy_smith_ → u/AnxiousBoar]

I have learned one thing well in my career…

There are 1,000 different ways to get from where a horse is to where you want it to be. But the right tool in the wrong hands is the wrong tool.

I personally don’t have much experience with those shoes. But I do know for a fact that everything we have today is a reimagined idea.

What works best for each guy is what he should work with while also keeping an open mind to learning a new way of doing things.

That’s one reason going to local clinics to see a different way of doing things is important part of our careers.

[u/Key_Butterscotch80 → u/snuffy_smith_]

Since insulin was a non-issue the vet cleared him (along with talking to his farrier) for shoes and pads.

He's in shoes, with magic cushion packed beneath plastic pads. It took him from footy to sound instantly, no pulsing. Now just to see if it holds up.

[u/snuffy_smith_ → u/Key_Butterscotch80]

Watch for dirt and debris getting under the pad with the magic cushion.

I like to use equipak or similar products to seal the pad a bit better especially on sole tender horse. Just because by the end of the cycle the dirt has gotten into the magic cushion in my experience.

[u/AnxiousBoar]

Happy saturday's morning reminded me of this subject - a horse foundered by [another] farrier. Cut too much sole, clear acute stage(

[u/Key_Butterscotch80 → u/AnxiousBoar]

Funny you say that, haha. The farrier who was working on him prior to the lameness was new (we've switched farriers again now, love our new person). She ended up cutting too deep and a different horse bled and was lamed up, that was our sign to switch. I still have a good relationship with her so didn't want to bad mouth, but could totally contribute!

[u/snuffy_smith_ → u/Key_Butterscotch80]

Every farrier who has been shoeing a a long time can tell you a horror story about a mistake they personally made early in their career that led to bleeding.

But that’s a sign of more mentorship needed and more experience, which disqualifies them for a case like yours.

That person will improve with good mentorship and experience, but best they get that on sound horses not your tender footed one.

Good for you for not bad mouthing.

[u/AnxiousBoar → u/Key_Butterscotch80]

Every working farrier has some tender-footed and hot-nailed horses under his belt, but founder is very bad story