Saturday, August 18, 2018

A Revolutionary Book that offers answers to so many unanswered questions.

Now available in spiral bound! Take advantage of this opportunity to own this revolutionary treatise that redefines the principles of Applied Equine Podiatry, Chronic Founder and Suspension within the Equine Foot. 

"This book is the first book in over a century to challenge the very foundations of today's hoof care industry offering evidence based models for both suspension and balance." 

"Histology confirmed osteoarthritis of the ungular cartilages in those hooves displaying symptoms of chronic Founder. page 70"

"Balance has been a point of contention for as long as horses have been trimmed and shod. The Ungular Cartilage Suspension Model and the Internal Arch Apparatus Models dismiss this contention for what I believe to be the well-being of the horse. page 131"

With over 250 pages, 180 color illustrations, 108 bibliographic listings, a 27 page glossary, and extensive index. It promises to quickly become a go-to text for the most up-to-date information on hoof care for horses suffering these devastating pathologies. This book is the culmination of three decades of applied research, evidence based in vivo, and in vitro study. This book is for anyone that wishes to improve the quality of life of the horses in their care.

Order your  copy today!   ORDER HERE










Wednesday, May 9, 2018

HPT Method of trimming Challenges Traditions


Here is a link to a video highlighting two trimming techniques. Even though this video was produced in 2007 the basics remain the same. Both trimming techniques have been around a long time. 
 


For anyone interested in exploring AEP and the HPT Method attending a hands-on course is a great start. I think it is important to know that this method has been taught to thousands of concerned horse owners and professionals for nearly 20 years. The HPT Method was included in an article published by the American Farriers Journal in November of 2002. The article was a review of the seven most common trims being taught around the world at that time. This method has stood the test of time and continues to help increase the quality of life our horses experience. I hope to see many of you at a hands-on course in the future. Best wishes
Sincerely, KC La Pierre

Friday, February 17, 2017

Hoof and Foot development

In a previous blog post, ‘X Rays, Beyond Balance’, KC La Pierre introduced the exercise of Physiological Sequencing. Understanding how Physiological Sequencing applies to the structures of the equine foot can help us to be more pro-active in our efforts to prevent problems from developing.

To recap; Physiological Sequencing explains the order in which physiological processes occur.
Tissues are grouped into three types, according to the rate they respond to change: Soft Tissue, Dynamic Tissue, and Static Tissue.

Soft Tissue is vascular, meaning it contains blood and nerves. Any change of stimulus to Soft Tissue will immediately change the way the horse holds himself and moves in response. Soft Tissue changes cause the horse to move either more symmetrically or more asymmetrically. Such changes affect the foot almost immediately, as a change to how the horse moves will result in a change to how the stimulus is delivered to the soft tissue of the foot and therefore to the second tissue in the sequence, Dynamic Tissue.

The main Dynamic Tissues of the foot are ungular cartilage and hoof horn: They are avascular structures (have no blood supply or nerves). Ungular Cartilage forms the foundation of the palmar (rear) two-thirds of the foot, meaning that the confirmation of the cartilage determines the confirmation of most of the hoof capsule. The ungular cartilage and coronary band work together to suspend the internal foot within the hoof capsule. A soft vascular network of blood vessels, or ‘dermis’, sits between the internal foot and the hoof capsule. The dermis has many important functions in the foot, one of which is nourishing the horn of the hoof capsule. Confirmation and health of both the hoof capsule and the underlying cartilage, along with the application of stimulus determines how effectively the dermis is able to supply the horn with nutrients.

The dynamic hoof capsule is the vehicle for delivery of the stimulus to the foot within. The confirmation of the hoof capsule and health of the horn affects both how the dermis is stimulated and how pressure is delivered to the cartilage and coronary band throughout the stride of the horse. Ungular cartilage cannot be nourished by the dermis, it requires appropriate pressure in order to develop healthily. If at any point the horse feels pain in his soft tissues, he will alter the loading of the foot to avoid the pain. This may be very subtle and if left undetected, the result will be an improper development of the ungular cartilages and improper horn growth.  Physiological sequencing tells us that these changes will eventually affect the static tissue, the bones of the foot. 

Static tissue, bone, we understand is always in a constant state of flux, modeling, and remodeling, however, these changes can take longer for physical change to be seen. The changes are less immediately obvious than the other tissues in the foot. The pedal bone, P3, is unable to remodel due to it lacking a medullary cavity so modeling of this foundation bone of the foot is irreversible. Wolff’s Law states that cells will align themselves directly with the line of force. Using a radiograph the line of force can be seen in the density of bone cells where modeling has taken place, for instance in cases where the foot has been chronically imbalanced. Examination of the dynamic structures of the foot, together with the application of Physiological Sequencing, will point to why the Static tissue changes have occurred and how the dynamic tissues can be addressed in order to prevent further changes to bone.

All tissues of the foot are in a constant state of flux. Observing change and understanding what is correct structure and function allows us to ensure tissues are developing healthily. In his article ‘Did I do that?’, KC La Pierre describes how he identified a rider imbalance by noticing a lateral flare in one hind foot of each of her dressage horses. A rehabilitation program was put into place for the horses and the rider. This prevented the cause of the change to the Dynamic tissue of the horses from becoming the cause of bone change.

ETB Pegasus Gait Analysis technology accurately pinpoints where and when any asymmetry or irregularity of gait occurs. Soft tissue needs to be free of pain in order for the horse to move and develop as symmetrically as possible.

Early identification and treatment of pain and close observation of dynamic tissue whilst being mindful of Physiological Sequencing can increase our chances of preventing pathologies.

About the author: Penny Thorpe, DAEP came across Applied Equine Podiatry whilst working for two trainers who were clients of Trevor Jones DAEP. Curiosity to know a 'bit more about feet' led to a fascinating journey of study with the Institute, graduating as a DAEP in 2013 and starting second level study in 2014. She lives in Brighton with her family and is privileged to have a small practice of dedicated owners and lovely horses.

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Re-writing the book on Chronic Laminitis

   
It has been some time since I last posted to this blog and I apologize to my followers. I have been busy promoting my new book "Laminitis, Founder, and Equine Digital Osteoarthritis".
The research required for the book has taken me to distant shores and far away places in the virtual world of academia. The title of this blog post is Re-writing the book on Chronic Laminitis and that is precisely what this new book does. I have presented glimpses of my work during lectures I presented at the University of Paris. In that talk I called for a change in perspective and a shift in paradigm. I suggested that research into the causes of chronic laminitis may be flawed because of the model that researchers subscribe to. The model that I am referring to is that of suspension. For decades research has been done following the premise that the lamellae attachment and subsequent loss of suspension of the distal phalanx was due to this tissue's degradation and that this loss defined the disease.
      Entertaining a new model for the suspension of the distal phalanx is.... A real game changer!
Over the past fifteen years we have proposed that the lamellae in and by themselves are not capable of suspension, this due to the fact that they have little to no elastic potential. It was back in 2002 that we conducted a study to define a hoof model that we have since used for research and teaching at the Institute, ultimately allowing us to literally re-write the book on chronic laminitis.
Adopting a new model for suspension has allowed us to develop studies that have provided evidence to support exploration of new treatments, both pharmacological and practical.
Our latest study, a histological comparison study has opened up new possibilities and shows great promise in helping to change the focus of current research.

This revolutionary book may be purchased by following this link: https://appliedequinepodiatry.org/product/laminitis-founder-equine-digital-osteoarthritis-diagnosis-and-treatment/