Pedal bone rotation advice, please?

[Shilasdair]

Hi all
I've had X-rays done on one of my horses - and she has pedal bone rotation (and perhaps a whisper of sinking) in one front foot.
I'm booting her with Easyboot Clouds/Rxs which make her much more comfortable.

I have a question though -
1. Should I trim away some of the EVA pad to make a gap under the point of the pedal bone to ease pressure; or
2. Should I leave the EVA pad as it is to support the pedal bone to prevent further rotation?

I've received conflicting advice.
All/any thoughts will be welcomed.

 

[Tiddlypom]

What a worry for you.

Some sort of support to prevent further rotation/encourage the pedal bone back to normal position would IMHO be better.

Does she tolerate the boots with the pads ok? Slightly thinner pads until you find an optimum balance re support and comfort?

 

[holeymoley]

I went through this but I’ve totally confused myself with whether you should support or not support as I’m sure there’s pros and cons for both.

Is she currently inflamed/sore? Thinking back you want to support the frog mainly. I used pads and duct tape so from that theory I’d use the pads as they are.

 

[Shilasdair]

Tiddlypom - the boots fit her perfectly and she loves them, and seems to be improving (fingers crossed) since she's had them (only a week or so). She is booted 24/7 in the field enclosure (she won't box rest).

Holeymoley - glad I'm not the only confused one! She is currently lame, but not lying down more than normal, seems quite cheerful (but she's an optimist).

 

[Red-1]

I would support under if it is just some rotation but not threatening to come through the sole.

I would support most of it, but leave some out where the tip is, if it is threatening to come through the sole.

 

[Red-1]

Tiddlypom - the boots fit her perfectly and she loves them, and seems to be improving (fingers crossed) since she's had them (only a week or so). She is booted 24/7 in the field enclosure (she won't box rest).

Holeymoley - glad I'm not the only confused one! She is currently lame, but not lying down more than normal, seems quite cheerful (but she's an optimist).

In these circumstances, I would generally support the entire sole. She doesn't sound too bad, and the X rays will give the better picture.

 

[PurBee]

Sorry to hear about your horse.

As youve said its very slight sinking, rather than pedal bone pushed through sole, i’d leave the eva pads whole. Especially if thin soled. The more support and cushioning means theyll be more comfortable to move around. Movement = circulation in foot = healing (which may or may not cause abscesses along the way due to necrotic laminar cells).

I’ve read conflicting views about rotation healing routes to try and weighing it up, it seems the ones that can be got on their feet and walking in a small paddock, with foot booting/padding etc, seem to fare better, heal quicker, than those on complete box rest for weeks/months.
Absolute box rest would be required for those still rotating/sinking. Severe cases really.

If mine had 1 foot slight sinking and rotation, i’d encourage movement with plenty of padding...alongside restricting whatever caused the issue to occur, if we know.

Fingers crossed for you healing is rapid.

 

[Shilasdair]

Thanks, it's so difficult to decide what to do.

 

[Tiddlypom]

The hardcore barefooters seem to favour encouraging a laminitic horse to move, which is against very much against vet's advice. I'd stick with the vet's advice, personally.

Ideally she'd be in a stable on box rest on a deep bed for weeks, but as that is not possible it sounds like you're doing the next best thing.

 

[meleeka]

I think whatever makes her more comfortable. I’ve done both before. Sometimes they need the hole cut to be more comfortable.

 

[Shilasdair]

Yes, she will stay in a stable overnight, but can't stand being in during the day - as she expects vets to come operate on her/nasally tube her/inject her after lots of health issues. So she's out in an enclosure with her sister.

Maybe the answer is to try her with a pad supporting her foot - and then to try cutting a hole into the pad to see if that makes her happy. She certainly knows her own mind so I'm sure she'll tell me.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

I’d talk to a proper barefoot trimmer, but logically, surely it makes sense to support the foot evenly as far as possible, so I wouldn’t cut holes.

 

[Mule]

I'd go with what the vet suggests. In your situation it's important not to get it wrong.