AboutJoepaul Meyers,C.J.F. Expertise With 35 yrs. as a Certified Journeyman/Master Farrier, I have taught at the Univ.& Trade School levels. My specialty is Veterinary Farriery
Lameness and Therapeutic shoeing.
Question i have a 17.2hh irish sports horse - 7 year old - showjumper. unfortunately she has fractured her navicular bone, the fracture is not suitable for surgery so are relying how the fracture heals on its own. prognosis is poor for a recovery to soundness, which is very unfortunate as is a serious competition horse. from the research that i have done her shoeing could have an impact on how the navicular bone heals. my vet has suggested that she will have egg bar shoes these are usually recommended for horses with navicular syndrome - i have seen reports that with a fracture that elevating the heal actually has a better result with fractures. we are now 4 weeks into the trauma and i am concerned that i am not giving her the best chance of recovery by not elevating the heal with shoeing. is this an injury that you have any experience of? would welcome any knowledge as the vet has admitted an injury they very rarely see
Answer DEAR SARAH...THANKS FOR YOUR QUESTION...
If you talk/visit with say a half dozen Vets/Farriers who specialize
in therapeutic,pathological or any form of veterinary lameness and
farriery; you WILL find six different "styles" or procedures that THEY are more comfortable with.
I have worked on approximately 40/45 cases in over 30 years...many being when I worked with the Large Animal Dept. at Texas A&M Univ.
College Station,Tx.
I personally prefer a straight-bar shoe/elevated/rocker toe and
2 large clips drawn both lateral/medial. I feel from experience and trial and error, the egg-bar is over used,but is beneficial for palmar
support and flexor tendon problems; not excluding suspensory soreness.
I believe the bar should be placed closer to the navicular bursa or
area. Where as the egg-bar is behind the area we are trying to heal.
The reason for elevation in my opinion is to relieve stress on the impar ligament. NOT ALL horses need to be elevated. Many with an up-right hoof capsule, do not need to be "stood up" any more than normal.
As with say...coffin/P-3 fractures, elevation can be dangerous and painful and regress the healing process.
I recommend radiographs every 4 weeks and re-set the shoes. Horses/
clients that I've have to fly to...will often times radiograph at
3 1/2 weeks, send me the x-rays and I would know what to expect
before I worked on the horse.
During the period of recovery I firmly BELIEVE in amino acids being fed. Hoof supplements added to a good diet promote a faster heeling process internally. Many Vets are not "high" on a homeopathic approach. Through the years and working across the country, I have
had great success with this method. As they say: "The proof is in the pudding" and "Horses never lie"...
Being that your mare is a "big girl" her healing time may be alittle slower than a lighter framed horse. It does happen.
One last thing...she will never be able to jump again, but with
proper shoeing and healing correctly she could still do flat work
and be very rideable. I have seen as many as two dozen horses go back
to some sort of work...which is really great !!
I hope I've shed some "extra light" your way.
If I can help you in the future...let me know.
Joepaul Meyers,C.J.F.
