Common Hoof Ailments
Routine
management may reduce hoof problems and lameness
By Adam Whitehead, Resident Farrier UFVMC
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With
horse-ownership comes the responsibility of hoof care. Most
horse-owners happily provide routine care yet know little
about the consequences of neglect or poor management. With
negligence, horses can face a multitude of hoof problems such
as thrush, abscesses, white line disease and laminitis. Although
all hoof problems and lameness cannot be eliminated, the severity,
duration and frequency can be significantly reduced with the
correct prevention and/or response.
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Thrush
Thrush is an infection in the cleft and grooves of the frog
and is a common problem for horses, although it is generally
viewed as a nuisance rather than a cause of lameness. In its
early stages or milder forms, thrush is easily treated with
proper trimming of the frog, applications of topical solutions,
and routine cleaning of the hooves. However, more advanced cases
of thrush involve the sensitive tissue and are nearly always
associated with varying degrees of lameness. These advanced
cases can be rather difficult to treat for several reasons.
The deep grooves create a trap for moisture and debris that
not only exacerbates the lameness but perpetuates the thrush.
Accessing the affected hoof area may involve removing healthy
portions of the frog, and even after removing as much healthy
tissue as possible, access may still be very limited. Damage
to sensitive tissue may be irreversible and create a void that
provides an ideal environment for reoccurrence of thrush. You
can assist your farrier and veterinarian in prevention and treatment
by good hygiene. Clean your horse’s hooves daily and thoroughly
clean stalls to remove the root cause of thrush – a dirty,
wet environment. |
Thrush
is a common problem in the Southeast and is easily detected
by the presence of a foul odor during routine hoof cleaning.
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Abscesses
Abscesses are another common ailment that produces lameness.
They are manifested in multiple ways including solar bruising,
hoof cracks and puncture wounds to name a few. Infection invades
the sensitive tissue and creates localized inflammation which
in turn creates an abscess. The abscess is not able to drain,
so the infection ascends the hoof wall and produces drainage
at the coronary band. Less common sub-solar abscesses extend
between the sensitive and insensitive layers of the sole. These
generally last longer and are more difficult to treat; lameness
may persist for weeks or even months. Regularly scheduled appointments
with a qualified farrier to maintain and remove excess hoof
and sole growth will help to reduce occurrences of abscesses.
Awareness of your horse’s footing and protective measures,
such as use of shoes and/or pads when horses are exposed to
hard surfaces or rugged terrain, may also reduce instances of
abscesses. |
Most
commonly,abscesses will drain at the coronet band. However,
a sub-solar abscess will require the expertise treatment of
an experienced farrier. |
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White
Line Disease
White line disease is a common problem in our warm, moist environment
here in Southeast. White line disease is caused by a bacterial
or fungal infection that invades the non-pigmented layer of
the hoof wall, causing progressive separation. It generally
begins where the sole meets the hoof wall at the white line
then migrates towards the coronary band and throughout the hoof.
White line disease may be found in one or more hooves; it may
be localized to one area of the hoof or may spread and invade
the entire hoof wall. Treatments of white line disease vary
from chemical soaks and topical treatments to debridement of
affected areas or complete hoof wall resection. White line disease
typically responds better in the long term to aggressive treatments
and may also be less likely to reoccur. |
White line
disease can cause debilitating lameness if not treated. Like
thrush, proper hoof care is essential for prevention.
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Varying
degrees of lameness may be associated with white line disease:
minor cases may show no signs of lameness even in horses competing
at high levels, but more advanced cases devastate foot function
as well as induce laminitis, causing debilitating lameness.
Much like thrush, daily cleaning of hooves and promoting hygienic
conditions within stalls and paddocks combined with regularly
scheduled appointments with a qualified farrier, may be the
best methods of prevention.
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Laminitis
Laminitis is a source of debilitating lameness in horses and
in severe cases is life-threatening. Laminitis is defined as
the inflammation of the sensitive laminae of the hoof, especially
in horses, but this definition may well be a gross understatement
of what actually occurs within the hoof. No matter the underlying
cause of laminitis, a complicated series of events take place
within the hoof capsule. An interruption of blood flow to the
hoof causes death and edema of the laminae. After significant
damage to the laminae occurs, the coffin bone may become displaced
– either by rotation or sinking. More commonly, the tip
of the coffin bone rotates within the hoof capsule due to the
mechanical pressure of the deep digital flexor tendon. Sinking
takes place after catastrophic failure of the laminae allows
the entire boney column to move downward within the hoof capsule.
Many theories exist on the cause of laminitis, yet little is
truly understood about this devastating disease. For this reason
it may be impossible for owners to prevent it; however, early
diagnoses and treatment of laminitis by a veterinarian and farrier
that commonly treat this disease will greatly increase the chances
of a successful outcome. |
 A
diet low in non-structural carbohydrates (starches & sugars)
may reduce the incidence of laminitis. |
| Your
horse’s hooves are his foundation, and keeping that
foundation solid is an important key to overall health and
performance. Routine management practices such as regularly
scheduled appointments with a qualified farrier, promotion
of hygienic conditions within stalls and paddocks, awareness
of your horse’s footing and frequent cleaning of the
horse’s hooves can help prevent hoof problems and lameness.
(References:
Adams’ Lameness in Horses Fifth Edition, Diagnosis and
Management of Lameness in the Horse, www.equipodiatry.com
Northern Virginia Equine Dr. Stephen O’Grady DVM, MRCVS).
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Adam
Whitehead is the resident farrier at the University
of Florida Veterinary Medical Center. Whitehead completed
farrier school in Tennessee and studied animal science
at Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College in Tifton,
Ga. Prior to joining the UF team, Whitehead successfully
practiced in the field for 10 years.
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