Rotated Pedal Bone and intermittent lameness

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Synod William

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28 yr old pony came down with laminitis a year ago, tested positive for cushings and started on pergolide. Xrays showed some rotation of pedal bones, worse on right fore. Farrier believes pony has prob had lami in the past before we got him (we got him aged 21) so hard to tell how much rotation was from this episode. Pony was already in nb shoes with pads due to very thin soles. Left shoeing alone.

Pony came almost sound within 5 weeks, only slight lameness on tight concrete circle on right fore.

Pony was moved away from my yard by owner and went rapidly downhill.

In my care he was on topspec anti lam and fast fibre as his teeth are too smooth to chew. Whilst away they fed him hay and hifi lite which he couldn't chew properly I assume looking at his poor condition when I got him back 6 weeks ago.

Soon after leaving me farrier put raised heel wedge pads on fronts, vet doesn't think she agreed to this and if she did it would'be been temporary. He's come back to me still wearing them. Had vet out and agrees his heels look overloaded and crushed. He's going vets for more xrays and shoeing at the vets next week.

I visited pony a few times over the past year and he didn't look right on that front right fore, even when trotting in a sand arena. Owner told me he goes lame when due to be shod and continues for a while after being shod.

He was lame a tad in trot when he arrived 6 weeks ago and had been shod 2 days before. He improved a bit about 2 weeks later but a week ago when he was due to be shod he got a bit worse again.

He'll be at 8 weeks when he goes vets as was the soonest we could get him booked in with everyone.

Has anyone else got experience of intermittent lameness worth rotated ponies? Also any views on raised heel wedge pads on lamis?

Thanks
 
Rotated pedal bones will either cause chronic or intermittent lameness - yes.

I would stear well clear of the raised heel wedge as they can cause more problems than good - but would definately look at supporting the sole with pads and bar shoes.
 
Thanks amymay, good to know this is not unusual. I am prepared for him to be on low dose bute for remainder of his life to stay comfortable but hoping he can be improved with shoeing first.

I have never heard of raised heels on a pony with rotation, I thought it might even make things worse.
 
Vet doesn't want to touch them till we xray first to see what's going on. Vet suggests bute and bring him in on deep bed. Them stop bute Tuesday so when they see him Thursday he's off pain relief.
 
Uummmm, now I thought that rotation needs heels down and movement (boots and pads if needed) to heal the foot!

Would not use wedges to fix this problem and have no idea why any farrier would do this...!
 
Tiddlepiddle said:
Uummmm, now I thought that rotation needs heels down and movement (boots and pads if needed) to heal the foot!

Would not use wedges to fix this problem and have no idea why any farrier would do this...!
Click to expand...

It depends if the pedal bone has rotated up or down.

If it's up - that heal wedges can be used, and if the horse tollerates it can help.
 
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