Why Pad the Hoof?

By:  Robyn La Pierre

Over the two decades, the Institute of Applied Equine Podiatry 

has been successfully aiding horse owners  in the rehabilitation of horses stricken with Deformed Hoof Syndrome (DHS) worldwide.  

We pride ourselves through the constant guidance from KC La Pierre the Institute’s founder and educator, on how quickly and humanely a horse can rebound from lack of structure and lameness.  So what is the secret?  The secret is: there is no secret.  It is commitment and providing the proper environment for that horse, an environment conducive to healing. There are few constants in the realm of rehabilitation.  However, one constant and cushion that horse owners can fall back on (no pun intended), is the use of therapeutic hoof pads, such as those developed at the Institute, the Sole Mate Therapeutic Hoof Pad. Understanding the purpose and theory that these pads represent is the key to any success story.  We receive countless phone calls from clients and horse owners who are struggling with their horse’s rehabilitation, having not utilized the knowledge that has gone into development of these pads.  Sole Mates Therapeutic Hoof pads are meant to be used in conjunction with pinpoint rehabilitation of structure.  For example, if a horse is first out of shoes, we highly recommend identifying each of the hoof’s structures, and where it falls on the Spectrum of Usability (see The Chosen Road, By KC LaPierre).  

This spectrum or wellness chart, will identify pinpoint areas of both weakness and strength.  But more importantly, this form will help in determining how the horse should be used, the level of activity that will produce correct stimulus, while preventing additional trauma.How do these pads work?  The Sole Mate Therapeutic Hoof Padworks in conjunction with the theory that correct pressure is the stimulus for correct growth.  In order to return proper structure that has been lost due to lack of stimulus, “correct” pressure must be applied to the horse’s hoof without causing pin point pressure that may cause pressure necrosis (death of tissue as a result of excessive pressure).  Pain indicates that there is too much pressure, and a good rule of thumb is that pain negates growth.  In many of the cases that we are presented with the horse’s hoof is too short, often having been trimmed below the healthy frog height at the heels.  In order to gain height to the foot, Sole Mates Hoof Pads can be applied creating correct pressure to the heels, bars, walls and sole.

 This pressure is consistent across the entire solar aspect of the hoof capsule with little rebound, this due to the closed-cell formulation that exists within the pad.  A regular foam or rubber pad that has too much rebound (or give), when put into motion with a moving horse, cannot provide consistent and correct support. Even and systematic pressure is what makes the Sole Mate pads unique. Increase in sole depth, hoof height, and frog growth is directly related to the application of correct stimulus.  Correct exercise, working within the boundaries set by an honest assessment with the Spectrum of Usability can greatly improve the rehabilitation of all horse’s hooves.  Without the use of these pads, the progressive next step, a sand arena, may be too harsh for the existing structures, especially if you are dealing with white line stretch, white line disease, or frog infection.  Sand can erode and deteriorate these already sensitive structures, let alone cause irritation to an already deep central sulcus of the frog. Which pads do I choose for my horse?   The Solemates Therapeutic Hoof pads range in three densities: four pound, six pound, and nine pound.  We found it necessary to break down the pad use to less than 1200 pounds for the six, and 1200 pounds and over for the nine. However, if your draft or heavily-boned horse has very weak structure and exhibiting pain, wewould recommend using the six. You may not get as many uses out of the 6 lb pads with a draft horse in that state. However, we don’t want to cause undue stress on the foot either.  So use your best judgment.   The four pound pads are great for that mini horse in your barn, or any acute stages of laminitis.  Why is it so important to specify weight? The pad has a unique characteristic that allows the pads to return to their near natural shape and size after use.  If your horse is heavy or lands excessively in the toe due to caudal heel pain, it will exceed the life of the pad; or rather the pad will not be reusable.  For years, the farrier sciences have been using a styro-foam pad that is supplied from the local lumber yard or Home Depot.  Structural styro-foam is not only not reusable (costly), but crushes down to a hard, stagnant, substance that can cause bruising to the delicate structures (pressure necrosis).  Pressure necrosis is a bruising of the capillaries at the corium level due to excessive force on the foot  Sole Mates Therapeutic Hoof pads have the unique ability to consistently support the foot through the entire stride phase.  Once the Sole Mates pad is removed, the imprint of the foot and hoof are astounding.  The detail in the print much resembles that of a sand imprint on the beach where each intricate structure is delicately etched out.This type of detailed support is what makes the Sole Mate Hoof Pads priceless to anyone practicing hoof care.  Once the structures begin to return to proper conformity, pin pointing additional structures like inner wall or transitioning to sand can be achieved safely.

How long can I leave these pads on?  The Sole Mates Hoof Pads are recommended for hand walking during rehabilitation and should be used daily. Putting the pad in some form of hoof boot can make the rehabilitation process much easier, especially in mud and wet weather. Therapeutic Hoof pads can be left on the foot for up to 72 hours during acute laminitis or until a vet arrives.  Excessive moisture build up will cause the hoof to soften unnecessarily when left on for that long.  We recommend you take the boots off an hour or so to let the hoof and pad dry each day to be safe.  It is also recommended that the hoof be allowed to dry thoroughly in either a stall or isle prior to the application of the pads for an additional 72 hours if needed during your extreme acute stages of founder and laminitis.  Puncture wounds and abscessing are also contenders for the 

use of Sole Mates.   

Do these pads relieve any abscess pain?  It’s not that the pads relieve pain of the abscess, they allow for mobility in a usually painful environment in order to expel the abscess naturally.  Most abscessing is the form of a void in the hoof that is reacting to foreign bodies (necrotic tissue) within that void by providing white blood cells to fight off the infection. Abscesses can re-absorb if not expelled.  By applying the Sole Mates to the bottom of your horse’s foot during an abscess, the horse will be able to be hand walked allowing the abscess to pop.  Without the pads, the horse is in extreme pain due to pressure building within the foot.  This can also cause secondary lameness as the horse is compensating for that painful foot.  You can see now why soaking in Epsom salts is not a good thing during an abscess.  Epsom salts cause excessive drying to the hoof.  So no wonder the abscess gets re-absorbs and returns a few weeks later.  The foot is rock hard and the body cannot expel it naturally. 

What if I have frog trauma and need to either build up or excessively relieve an area that is touching the hoof?  Here is where our Sole Mates pads really step it up in performance.  These pads are uniquely designed so that when heat is applied in the form of a lighter, you can adhere them to each other permanently.  They become one structure with no worry of splitting apart.  This allows you to be able to use different configurations during acute stages of trauma.  You can cut a special wedge out or double up on the pads, by simply applying heat to each side of the pad and sticking them together.  It’s that simple.  Also, the pads are great for beveling out an area with a “roto zip” tool that will relieve an area on the pad so everything but that area is touching the hoof.   It’s so easy to do, and really effective.   As you can see, Sole Mates Therapeutic Hoof Pads serve many purposes.  They are an inexpensive, effective tool for retuning hoof structure during rehabilitation or during extreme trauma to the hoof.  At the Institute, KC La Pierre recommends every barn carry a set of Sole Mates in case of laminitis or trauma. Application of the pads will return an infected frog to a healthy state given the infection has been treated and your environment has been improved.  If you don’t have a healthy frog, it’s almost impossible to return health to any other structure of the hoof. (The Chosen Road, by KC LaPierre 2004).  So be safe and wise, when it comes to rehabilitation.  Proper evaluation of structure and the stimulus needed to return a deformed hoof to health is our ultimate goal.  Sole Mates do that with one thing in mind:  Do No Harm.   

Cracking the Code to Hoof Cracks

Persistent Hoof Wall Cracks

Sand Cracks, Grass Cracks, Toe Cracks, Quarter Cracks plague so many horses that there is an entire segment of the hoof care product industry dedicated to producing products to treat them. A week does not go by that we do not receive a call or email concerning hoof cracks.

Just this week I received a call from a horse owner that wanted a second opinion on how the veterinarian suggested treating a persistent toe crack. Apparently she and her trimmer have been battling sand cracks on several of her horses for the better part of two years. In one case the crack had become so bad that the veterinarian prescribed a hoof wall resection be performed (treat instability with removal of that which is meant stabilize?). The owner was ordering Clean Trax, a deep penetrating hoof wash that works exceptionally well in the treatment of infections of the hoof wall. We received pictures and a small history in which to make our assessment. The type of hoof wall defect seen in this case was of no great mystery. 

The Cause

The truth of the matter is that the majority of hoof cracks seen are the result of poor hoof wall matrix development.

Having a strong understanding of how the hoof wall develops and the function of the hoof wall at any given location in the hoof capsule is paramount to treating hoof cracks. Yes, metabolism and nutrition are important to treating cracks, and for the most part owners of horses with persistent cracks have done their best to address these components. Then why is it that the cracks persist? I have already answered that; poor hoof wall matrix development. Yes, hoof wall matrix is affected by nutrition and metabolism, but the real culprit in persistent hoof cracks is the failure of the mechanism for the creation of a strong wall matrix.

The hoof wall matrix originates at the junction of the coronary band dermis and dermal lamellae. This area is identifiable by the manifestation of the stratum externum (Periople). Roughly speaking it is the top ten percent of the hoof capsule. It is in this area that the tubules produced at the coronary band matrix with the horn developed by the lamellae. The periople aids in slowing the keratinization process allowing for the migration of intertubular horn around and in between the primary tubules. The mechanism that makes this posible is “distortion”. Think of distortion as a kneading process creating the necessary pressures for the development of a healthy matrix. Wall function is determined by the ratio of primary tubules to that of intertubular horn (laminae derived horn and within the matrix the higher the ratio of tubules, the harder the wall (less resistant to flexion), the lower the ratio the more flexible. So what has this got to do with hoof wall cracks?

In many of the cases we see involving sand, grass or persistent toe cracks we have found that the fault has been that the mechanism for the creation of a healthy matrix was simply weak or faulty.

Just this week we met our new neighbor, a new home has just been completed adjacent to our property. The owner is a horse owner who has several horses. She is an avid dressage rider. Naturally the conversation turned to horses and their hooves. According to my new neighbor all of her horses suffer from persistent sand cracks.  The horses are stabled about 10 miles from this new property and would be moving here shortly. The owner asked how we prevented sand cracks. We have seven horses on our property here in SW Florida. The environment is less than ideal for horses, being extremely wet most of the year and the pasture is comprised mostly of sand (sugar sand).  The environment is identical to the environment our new neighbor has been stabled in for the past several years. Why is it that we don’t have problems with persistent cracks, but she does?

The answer in my opinion is quite simple, “Imbalance”. When a hoof is trimmed and it is not balanced, the mechanism for the development of a healthy strong matrix is compromised. Couple that with the dubbing of the toe (backing the toe up), cross hatching, or the application of a rigid horseshoe and you have the recipe for failure. For over eighteen years I have been treating sand, grass, and toe cracks successfully without applying shoes, lacing, staples, or acrylics. There are times when there is instability and dynamic stability must be achieved, but that type of stability is not found in acrylics, staples, or rigid shoes.

Treatment

The first step in the treatment of cracks is to achieve dynamic balance of hoof to foot. Balancing to what is called the Live Sole Plane (Axis Plane). You can use the Dynamic Balance Hoof Level to confirm balance; this tool offers a reliable plane of reference. 

Once balance is achieved treat infection. I recommend Soaking in Clean Trax, with daily follow up application of Silvetrasol Hoof and Wound Wash. If it is determined that the crack or cracks have resulted in unacceptable instability, then I recommend using Perfect Hoof Wear for several trim cycles.

I have said it more times than I can remember, if the mechanism for producing a healthy Matrix is comprised, then no supplement, drug, or dressing is going to help alleviate hoof wall failures. Sure you can attempt to hold it all together with a horseshoe, quarter clips, staples, acrylics, and a host of other products developed as Band-Aids for the dreaded hoof wall crack, but until the mechanism for the development of a healthy matrix (balanced dynamic distortion) is returned you are simply placing a finger in the dyke so to speak.

Evidence Based

Having been a hoof care professional for over three decades, and having graduates in eleven countries all applying the principles of dynamic balance we can say that we have a large sampling of horses that once suffered persistent hoof wall cracks, but no longer do.

If your horse is suffering from persistent hoof wall cracks, you may want to investigate Applied Equine Podiatry further by visiting www.equinepodiatry.com

What Hoof Model do you use?

 

As a professional hoof care provider and teacher I see hundreds of post that fuel the debate over the use of the Wild Horse as a model for hoof care. Whether you are a farrier, trimmer, or horse owner emotions can run high, especially with all of the media play the wild horses are receiving as of late. 

Many hoof care professionals have looked to these wild horses to develop a model for trimming the domestic horse's hooves. 

Feral Abaco Barb

I too have explored the possibility of using the hooves of the wild horse as a model for the treatment of the domestic horse hoof. My research evolved into a study of environment and how the hooves of the wild horse developed as a result of breeding, diet and overall environment. But even before I went afield to work among feral horse, I had disqualified the feral horse hoof as a model, this because of the law of physics;  F = M x A.

Shoeless

Remember, I am discussing the development of a hoof model for the treatment methods of the domestic horse. What is a model? In the practice of Farriery or hoof care the model defines the foot, not simply the hoof. Indulge me while I offer an analogy; I really would love to own a Ferrari. Years ago there were kits to transform a Pontiac Fiero into a Ferrari look alike. With this kit I didn't need to know the mechanics of the Ferrari to build a car that looked like one. But, the reality is that it would not perform like one if I simply mimicked the way it looked. I know that this comparison is a bit simplistic and silly, but it does make a point.

Developing a model that must deal with the increased forces generated by domestication requires knowledge of the internal structures of the foot. That is where the definition Structure + Function = Performance comes into play. There are several theories on energymanagement and foot function that have helped in the development of a model for the practice of farriery. The feral hoof model however came out of the search for a model without the forethought of foot function within a domestic environment. As a result, those proponents of the natural trim model have been searching to find foot function theories to support its use in the treatment of the domestic horse for over twenty years. The more we learn about the equine foot and foot function the more we learn that its health is governed by a few steadfast laws, and one is F=M x A.     

Weighing in on Obesity and Applied Equine Podiatry

My poor horse's aching feet.

Obesity is not a condition usually associated with hoof care. It is however, a major cause of Deformed Hoof Syndrome (DHS) and loss of proper foot function. Many of today's horses suffering hoof ailments are often overweight.
How do we define the obese horse? The obese horse is one that is 150 to 200 pounds over its recommended weight, this determined by weight tape and the application of the Body Condition Scoring System (BCS).

The BCS System
Score of 1(poor) to 9 (Extremely Fat)
Developed by Henneke et al in 1983 at Texas A&M
Used throughout the horse industry as standard score system
Accepted scientific method
Admissible in court

How it is done
Focus on 6 key areas:
Neck
Withers
Spinous process
Tail head
Behind the shoulder
Ribs

The system utilizes Visual Appraisal and Hands On /Palpation of those areas exhibiting fat deposits listed above.

As a Applied Equine Podiatrist I am concerned with horses that score 7 or higher on the BCS.

BCS 7

BCS 7
May have crease down back. Individual ribs can be felt, but noticeable filling between ribs with fat. Fat around tailhead is soft. Fat deposits along withers, behind shoulders and along the neck.

BCS 8

BCS 8
Crease down back. Difficult to palpate ribs. Fat around tailhead very soft. Area along withers filled with fat. Area behind shoulder filled in flush. Noticeable thickening of neck. Fat deposited along inner buttocks.

BCS 9

BCS 9
Obvious crease down back. Patchy fat appearing over ribs. Bulging fat around tailhead, along withers, behind shoulders and along neck. Fat along inner buttocks may rub together. Flank filled in flush.

Rehabilitating the obese horse with Deformed Hoof Syndrome (DHS) is far more difficult, than a horse that is carrying correct weight and condition. The added weight hinders the horse's ability to protect itself from injury, and those structures responsible for suspension within the foot are often stressed to their maximum sustainability. Solar bruising is common, this because those structures responsible for suspension are just simply over stressed and downward movement of the bones of the foot are not properly held in check. The result is excessive pressure and force being applied to the solar dermis. 

When I receive a request to remove horseshoes from a horse, with the goal being a sound shoeless horse it is my responsibility to determine the level of usability of the structures of the foot. I do this by utilizing a Spectrum of Usability (published by IAEP, Inc.) and BCS. I then take into account the added force the foot must endure as a result of the overweight condition.  In many instances I find it necessary to recommend some form of orthotics that will offer support and provide dynamic stabilization. 

Taking responsibility for the health of your horse's hooves involves conditioning the whole horse. Be responsible and don't simply pull those horseshoes, not without first determining the true state of health of the foot within. Learn to use both the BCS, and the Spectrum of Usability.

About the Author:

Keith "KC" La Pierre has been a professional farrier for over 33 years. He is the Co-Founder of the Institute of Applied Equine Podiatry, and developer of the Spectrum of Usability. He teaches and lectures both in the USA and Abroad. For more information and articles by KC La Pierre visit the Institutes website at www.equinepodiatry.com