flaking of soles..... any ideas/experiences/help?

[gothdolly]

Hi there

Domi has very thin soles. The farrier says that he is growing a good amount of horn but not retaining his sole - its flaking/sloughing off instead and he does not know why.

There is no infection, and he is not kept in a damp environment - his stable is kept very clean and dry and the field isnt muddy (good drainage, on a hill etc) The vet and farrier dont think its nutritional as Im feeding good qualitiy supplements.

Farrier said that he has only seen one horse like this before but doesnt know what happened to it because the owners sold it. Of course thin soles (very thin because you can depress them with a thumb) lead to a lot of "footiness" and sensitivity. He struggles to walk over the yard without pads or hoof boots. I have been really struggling with him, using keratex, formula 4 feet (now switched to top spec antilam) and was recently using hoof boots until my vet, farrier and I decided to try hoof pads.

Im really getting worried now, if the pads dont work (eg. if they cause other problems) what else can be done?

Domi has had mild concussion related laminitis in the last two years. I think this may be linked to the problem with his soles.

Domi is very well in himself, sound, cantering round his field, and riding out again. Im very pleased with him, but just so worried about his soles. No foot, no horse, as they say.

Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[brightmount]

I think you have been doing the right things - certainly the things I would have suggested anyway, had you not been doing them already.

It is normal for sole to exfoliate to some extent. Shod horses usually have some false sole that exfoliates if they go barefoot due to contact with the ground. However I take it there is a problem with flaking of the live sole, and you have discounted infection, environment and nutrition.

You have also used Keratex (I'm assuming you mean the hoof hardener). I'm surprised this didn't help as I have found it very effective at holding crumbling hoof together as it bonds the keratin molecules. How long did you persevere with it? The only disadvantage with pads is that you won't be able to continue treating with Keratex. However they should relieve his soles and provide a better degree of comfort.

Are they rubber pads or the injectable silicone type ones? I had good results with the injectable equibuild pads with one horse I once owned. There was one occasion though when grit got under the pad and it had to be redone, which was an expense I could have done without.

When you say you are using pads I'm assuming the horse is shod, but you also mentioned using boots, in which case was he recently unshod? This has confused me and makes it harder to answer the question.

Magnesium supplementation can help with footiness and low grade laminitis. You could consider MagOx. But there may already be an adequate level in the lami supplement you are using. There is certainly good magnesium levels in Formula 4 Feet - was there a reason why you changed?

I'm sorry despite this long waffly post I haven't really helped very much! I would think it's a good sign that you say he is sound. I guess ultimately your farrier is the best person to advise you as he can see the problem and knows more about your horse's history.

 

[gothdolly]

Hi there
Sorry for being confusing, I didnt explain myself well. Its the nervous hysteria...!

Domi has always been shod, for the last 2 years been shod with wide webbed shoes, following his first bout of footiness/bruising/concussion laminitis. I was using hoof boots over the shoes, which I know is not traditionally done but it was all I could think of to do. (The boots say that they can be used over shoes but it invalidates the warrenty).

My vet and farrier dont feel that any kind of barefoot trim would help him (I already asked about that, willing to try anything that would help)

Before the last 2 years he was shod with normal shoes. For a year, the wide webbed shoes seemed to help him cope with his foot problems. Sadly now he needs more help

Yes, its flaking of the live sole. I tried the keratex hoof hardener (and am still using it on his back feet) but had the pads put on after 6 weeks of the hoof hardener as he was too "footy" to go out in the paddock unless wearing boots over his shoes and was getting stressed in the stable all the time. Do you think I didnt try the hoof hardener long enough?

I was too nervous to leave hoof boots on him in the field, as I could envisage horrible injuries if he got them off (or partially off.....) when I was not there.

He has rubber pads - the farrier suggested trying these first and moving on to injectibles if they didnt work. Im very nervous about the hoof environment under those pads right now ... i think muck will collect in the clefts of the frog.

I am also supplementing with magnesium. I switched from formula 4 feet to topspec anti lam because I heard such fantastic reports of it, and I do think he seems better in himself on the topspec (more energy, better coat).

Thanks for your reply. I am concerned for Domi's future and I know my farrier is very good and supportive but no one can suggest a reason why this might be happening to Domi, nor what his long term prognosis might be. I have owned him since he was rising 2, and so I know his care and nutrician has always been correct (he is 19 now). I really am perplexed but really appreciate your reply.

Oh, strange thing, his hoof wall is strong apparently!

Thank you for your post...

 

[brightmount]

Well personally I think you're doing everything right, and I hope the pads work out. The injectable ones in theory don't allow muck to get between them and the sole, but worth trying the rubber ones first. Certainly they should help with the ground hardening up. Sorry not to offer any fresh ideas but I agree with what you're doing.

 

[gothdolly]

Thanks for your post. I have owned Domi for a long time, he has been with so many life changes with me and I want to make sure Im doing the right things for him. Bloomin' expensive horse

Cassandra

 

[Marchtime]

Just wondering whether his is a TB - they are prone to these problems.
Mine had an MRI for ligament problems but what also became clear was his sole was so thin it barely showed on the scan. I've tried numerous things but the most successful has to be injectible pads. They are costly and mean mine can't go longer than six weeks without being shod but they've been a life saver. Before the pads he was lame 60% of the time with bruised soles.
The other route I went down was Cyteks. They are a type of shoe which covers the whole sole. They are very controversial and everyone has their own view but they did keep Jesper sound. I had to take him out of them though because of his ligament problems (unrelated). If you do consider this route make sure you use a farrier who is specifically trained in this method. It is a big decision to make but worth considering if all else fails.

 

[gothdolly]

Hi there
Thanks for your reply. Domi is appaloosa x and does have completely pink feet - I do wonder if thats something to do with it although my farrier and vet say not.

I think we are going to switch to injectible pads next time then, it sounds like they are really worthwhile.

I dont think my farrier does Cytec, but i do know one who is trainined in therapeutic and NB shoeing, so I can always ask him.

Thanks for your reply, its good to know that the gel pads worked so well for Jesper

Cassandra