Thoughts on these x-rays

L

lacey111

Well-Known Member
Joined
14 August 2008
Messages
107
Location
Derbyshire
Visit site
Right, not sure If anyone will be able to view these xrays, I have managed to work out how to add them to an album!

Wondered if anyone with hoof xray experience had any thoughts on these. They are of my friends 5yr old TB. currently in on box rest as lost both front shoes and as hoof so poor farrier could not get shoes back on as nothing to nail to.

X-rays were done July time this year If I remember rightly

Thanks!


picture.php


picture.php


picture.php


picture.php


picture.php


picture.php
 
Vet just said distortion to the pedal bone could have been from birth, TBH we don't use the vets who did the x-rays any more, to many people in the area have fallen out with them and we just don't believe a word they say any more. Didn't want to help in any other way and suggested to my friend that she "let him go"

My farrier thinks possibly some sort of infection or could be from birth, an experienced "friend" thinks history of laminitis and said it looks like there has been pedal bone rotation and some sinking.

Any thoughts appreciated :-)
 
I must admit I was really surprised to see the shoes had been left on for the x-rays - when our horse had her feet x-rayed last year the vet took the shoes off in order to get a really clear picture. Perhaps taking the x-rays to another vet may be the answer, one who specializes in lameness issues. Good luck!
 
pedal bone is strange, but toe is very long in relation to pedal anyway and heels look contracted and underrun too.

pedal bone not ness moved or sunk its the hoof that grown away from it by having toe too long and this tears the sensitive laminae. the pedal bone should be at same angle as hoof.

I would be looking at remedial farrier to take toes back slowly (dont just lop toe off) and try to bring heels back and support them more as look underrun and weak - this could put pressure on DDFT (deep digital flexor tendon) and stretch it or even tear it as it takes the strain.

Good luck.
 
My experienced "friend" made rather a harsh comment about the fact that the shoes had been left on and said we should go back to where they were done and demand that they be done correctly at no extra cost. Said could not see properly what was happening to the pedal bone and also commented that the coronary band did not have any marker so could not tell if pedal bone actually sinking or not.

Thinking of second opinion but not sure whether to take back to vet that did x-rays and demand better ones, what would you do?
 
kezimac said:
pedal bone is strange, but toe is very long in relation to pedal anyway and heels look contracted and underrun too.

pedal bone not ness moved or sunk its the hoof that grown away from it by having toe too long and this tears the sensitive laminae. the pedal bone should be at same angle as hoof.

I would be looking at remedial farrier to take toes back slowly (dont just lop toe off) and try to bring heels back and support them more as look underrun and weak - this could put pressure on DDFT (deep digital flexor tendon) and stretch it or even tear it as it takes the strain.

Good luck.
Click to expand...

Feet grow in a very funny way, like you say its as if the hoof is growing away, it grows fairly reasonably at the top then about an inch down it starts splaying outwards and forwards. Current farrier started taking toe back as x-rays showed he would not catch anything sensitive but doesn't put any kind of supportive shoe on however does use 2 toe clips on both fronts to try and stop hoof splaying out instead of just one.

Must admit, feet look remarkably better since not having shoes on, been 9 weeks now since he had shoes on.

My farrier wants to get support on there straight away, should be done on 17th aslong as enough hoof to nail to
 
Personally, as you have already said that you are not happy/others are not happy with the vet who did the x-rays, I would take the xrays to another vet who specializes in lameness. He/she may be happy to look at the old xrays, but I am sure they would probably want to take new ones, maybe with the shoes off. Either way perhaps you need a new persepctive on this from someone who will look at the problem with 'fresh' eyes.

I know that xrays can be expensive but if they are not clear or taken at the right angle it can be very difficult to assess any possible damage with any form of certainty. Our (very good) vet originally thought our mare may have had navicular or 'pre' navicular - after much box rest and medication it looks as if it was only soft tissue damage and navicular is no longer an issue.

Perhaps you could ask around for a recommendation for a vet that specializes in lameness issues. Good luck with what ever you decide to do.

Just read your last comment about being shoeless - only my personal view and will probably get shot down in flames - but for MY horse - going barefoot was the best thing we ever did.
 
Last edited:
Would love mine to be "shoeless" but both my tb's needs studs in when competing so not really an option! Considered it for my endurance lad but not something I have done yet, last time he lost a shoe he was lame through soreness over the couple of days until the farrier could get out to replace it :-)
 
shame you need studs - i didnt realise is now barefoot as that will help if you have a good trimmer to help the foot change, the new growth from top will be well attached to the laminae and then as it gets closer to bottom if allowed to splay and flare will tear the laminae. So needs a good trimmer to help and also needs a good diet. No sugar, cut down on cereals, and look at feeding seaweed, and brewers yeast to help strengthen the hoof - it will take a while though for new hoof to grow down.

Think do you really need studs as once horses are transistioned into good bare feet they really have good traction.
 
Made mistake of not putting studs in back feet at last event as horse was really really het up and couldnt get near back feet safely, slipped on back feet while trying to turn and ditched partner in stream :-) LOL gave us all a good laugh to see him soaked however as he was lead horse in the team ended up coming rather further down the placings than they would have done as other team members then had problems without the lead horse to follow! ooops

Have cut all sugar out we can think of, just on hay which we are looking to start soaking once we have found something large enough to soak it in, have bath need to seal it!

Also on high fibre cubes and small amount of happy hoof tho trying to replace HH with something else as I am aware HH has sugars in it still. On Farriers Formula and Biotin as recomended by my farrier.

Anything else we can try for good quality hoof growth? and where can we get seaweed and brewers yeast from?
 
i get mine from feed merchants if not look on ebay lots of ppl sell it on there.
i feed Badminton Easy rider chaff - has no sugar, cereals or molasses at all - get mine from wynnstay and they order in for me.
 
be aware that seaweed won't be sufficient/appropriate for all horses in all areas. It depends on the minerals available in the forage and local ground/water mineral content.

Brewers Yeast has some fans, but if the hind gut is working well it is probably not required as the fermentation of the fibre in the forage produces a wide range and lots of B vitamins.

If the angle of the hoof is changing this is an indicator that there are issues, but you need a trimmer trained in how to properly read this information to get a better idea.

I have deshod hooves that have been pulled out of shape by incorrectly sized shoes and interesting trim techniques. But mostly a forward flaring hoof, which is changing angle on the way, is usually caused by dietary and/or stress problems.

This horse has a range of issues which are reflected in his feet. Ongoing, not yet fully resolved

http://barefoothorseblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/hooves-and-health.html

This one was bent out of shape in response to a health issue; but thought you might find it interesting anyhow :-)

http://barefoothorseblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/deviated-hooves-now-you-see-it-now-you.html
 
Would photos of his hooves as they are now be of use to anyone on here? We have some spare time on Wednesday so could get some decent pics and see what you think of them now?
 
Just thought I would add that there is absolutely nothing wrong with having the shoes on for the x-rays. I've had several sets like this done for my mare to resolve a foot balance issue and its always with the shoes on - in fact its important to see how the foot sits with the shoes on.

No help with the x-rays though I'm afraid, my vet always talks through them in detail and also divides the hoof up with markers etc to judge the angles.
 
Yes, for foot balance shoes left on for x rays is fine. However possibly in this case, shoes should hen have been removed and repeat x rays to see full extent of pedal bone and placement of a coronary band marker should have been done. In many practices, a coronary band marker is only placed on x rays of laminitics - this horse was not ( i believe by reading between the lines) a known or suspected laminitic until after these x rays were taken? I would phone the current vet to discuss, if you arent happy at that stage, inform him you are going elsewhere for a second opnion.
 
Sorry if this sounds a bit rude but my first thought is that you need a new farrier. Those feet are dreadfully out of balance and the shoe is just wrong in so many ways. By any chance is the horse most lame on the right?
 
Farrier was waiting to see results of xrays before taking toe back and shoeing differently as was concerned he way cause more damage. He now takes toes back and has been trying to shoe differentlty

Have since spoken to current vet again to get exact thoughts on whether problem could be lami, and if it is worth trying. Happen to mention was going to get insurance involved. Suddenly vet changes tune completely and says "well, with remedial shoeing we should start to see an improvement after 2-3 shoeings" after stating when xrays were done in August that no hope for horse and might aswell give up.

Turns round and says "didnt realise you were insured???" Then becomes very pushy constantly ringing friend asking her to make appointment with remedial farrier and comes out with "we need to start treatment as soon as possible". If its that urgent why did he not suggest this when xrays were done back in August? Friend refused and said wants to make sure claim being accepted 1st as hasn't the money to start spending. A different vet looked at xrays and said looks like laminitis aswell.

Getting very very angry at current vet as messed me around with my horse and 3 other friends have suffered from his rudeness and seemingly incompetance.

Thoughts?!

Also wanted reccomendations on Equine vets in Derbyshire, happy to travel to see a good, decent vet who will tell us the truth and stop wasting time, money and the horses health.
 
as the x rays are probably in pdf format then you cant view in and out and change the shading as if you were looking at them on the x ray. i would think a good farrier would be able to address the long toe and extremely short shoes that have been fitted. surprised between your vet and farrier they havent got this sorted or nearly sorted in the 5 months since the x rays were taken. very surprised that the owner hasnt pushed for answer either.
 
i am NO expert, just overly paranoid about foot balance - my boys goes out even a little and he goes lame.

From what i can see of the xray, looks like dished hoof, pedal bone looks rotated/sinking ( laminitis ) demineralisation of p3 ( pedal osteitis ) at the toe. this horse has overly long toes, tho i understand your farrier is adressing this. Maybe look into gelpads or NB shoes, or if not get your farrier to take toes back, set shoe under and rocker to ease breakover.

Hope this helps.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top