I've just started reading British vet John Stewart's recently published book Understanding the Horse's Feet (now available from many book sellers including Amazon in both the UK and USA: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Understanding-Horses-Feet-John-Stewart/dp/1847974767 and also as an E-book: http://www.crowood.com/details.asp?isbn=9781847974761&t=Understanding-the-Horse%27s-Feet) and so far I'm impressed - more about the book later.
This interview on The Naturally Healthy Horse website talks about how John's training at vet school (Cambridge) focused on the use of shoes, and he voices the interesting opinion that farriers consider foot form, but those involved with the barefoot movement are more likely to consider foot form AND function.
When talking about trimming, the environment and individual horse will greatly influence the trim, but in principle he leaves the sole and frog alone, trims the walls to just above the sole and applies a bevel.
For acute laminitis he advocates confining the horse, providing support under the sole as well as the back of the foot, reducing mechanical forces on the foot and easing breakover, and importantly, reducing heel height as soon as possible to enable the horse to load the back of the foot and reduce the force on the tip of the pedal bone. He doesn't agree with wedging the heels up - hurray! Interestingly he suggests the use of EVA pads - TLS is currently experimenting with the use of EVA foam pads inside boots and finding significantly increased comfort for the horse.
He goes on to say that in his opinion the biggest mistakes people make when dealing with laminitis are to underestimate the seriousness of laminitis, to over-use Bute, and to not deal with insulin resistance (by controlling sugar and starch in the diet).
I'd add not realigning the feet quickly enough, the over-use of box rest (usually because the feet haven't been realigned quickly enough), and not recognising PPID.
Great news to have a British vet understand feet, the importance of a correct barefoot trim and the role of insulin resistance in laminitis! From only £20 for a full colour hardback version of Understanding the Horse's Feet, this book deserves a place in every vet, farrier/trimmer and horse owner's library.
This interview on The Naturally Healthy Horse website talks about how John's training at vet school (Cambridge) focused on the use of shoes, and he voices the interesting opinion that farriers consider foot form, but those involved with the barefoot movement are more likely to consider foot form AND function.
When talking about trimming, the environment and individual horse will greatly influence the trim, but in principle he leaves the sole and frog alone, trims the walls to just above the sole and applies a bevel.
For acute laminitis he advocates confining the horse, providing support under the sole as well as the back of the foot, reducing mechanical forces on the foot and easing breakover, and importantly, reducing heel height as soon as possible to enable the horse to load the back of the foot and reduce the force on the tip of the pedal bone. He doesn't agree with wedging the heels up - hurray! Interestingly he suggests the use of EVA pads - TLS is currently experimenting with the use of EVA foam pads inside boots and finding significantly increased comfort for the horse.
He goes on to say that in his opinion the biggest mistakes people make when dealing with laminitis are to underestimate the seriousness of laminitis, to over-use Bute, and to not deal with insulin resistance (by controlling sugar and starch in the diet).
I'd add not realigning the feet quickly enough, the over-use of box rest (usually because the feet haven't been realigned quickly enough), and not recognising PPID.
Great news to have a British vet understand feet, the importance of a correct barefoot trim and the role of insulin resistance in laminitis! From only £20 for a full colour hardback version of Understanding the Horse's Feet, this book deserves a place in every vet, farrier/trimmer and horse owner's library.