ARCHIVE - ARTICLES 2009

June 09 - How to make a flat bar shoe

June 09 - Laminitis, hoof quality and the effects of diet

June 09 - Using a recessed frog support pad to treat horses with long toes and weak heels

June 09 - Barefoot trimming versus conventional farriery?

June 09 - Handmade Shoes (UK) Ltd Spring Clinic

 

Archive - Forge Magazine - June 2009
How to make a flat bar show

World champion farrier Richard Ellis demonstrates how he makes a flat bar shoe at his forge in Tewkesbury

Forging is, of course, the primary process used for making horseshoes. Despite the fact that improvements in horseshoe design have reduced the amount of forging work required by farriers, the skill involved in making horseshoes has to be successfully mastered in order to gain the diploma of the Worshipful Company of Farriers. The skill of forging shoes is practised by all farriers, and is essential for those who wish to achieve higher examinations. Success in the Associateship allows farriers to take on more challenging cases that may require therapeutic shoes to be made on a regular basis.
Horseshoe-making competitions form a popular part of many agricultural shows up and down the country – popular for visitors and competitors alike – culminating in championship status for the very best. For some time now, readers have asked for picture-based articles showing how to forge horseshoes, and Forge is indebted to World Champion farrier, Richard Ellis, who demonstrates how he makes a flat bar shoe at his forge in Tewkesbury.

 

Figs 1-4

Figs5-8

Figs 9-13

Figs 14-18

Figs 19-21

For this exercise I used a 15 inch length of 3/4" x 3/8" flat bar stock (Fig 1). If this shoe is to be fully fullered, I would fuller the toe from this point. For a plain stamp shoe or threequarter fullered shoe, I would leave fullering until after I have welded the bar and balanced and shaped the shoe.

Turn the toe bend for the shoe, making sure the toe bend is for the shoe size not the bar length (Figs 2 & 3)

Take a short heat at the end of the branch and make a sharp 90 degree bend over the bick allowing enough material for the bar and bumping back into the heel corner (Figs 4, 5 & 6)

Scarf the bar for welding, (Figs 7 & 8). I prefer to use a step scarf for welding flat bar because the bar does not slip open.
When you forge the weld, your first hits are more positive against the anvil.

Turn the branch of the shoe so the shape of the shoe is as you want it, (Fig 9 & 10)

Repeat the process for the other banch, making sure your shoe is balanced and then the bar is set up for welding. The width of the heels should be narrower at this point to allow expansion when welding. Notice the bar turns in to the shoe a little, this is to allow the bar to move outward when you weld (Figs 11, 12, 13 & 14)

A scarf set up (Fig 14)

Take a full welding heat, making sure both scarfes are the same temperature and with fast, positive hits, forge both sides equally from the centre of the weld outwards to the scarfes, maintaining the thickness of the stock, (Fig 15)

Keep the bar at a light welding heat while you shape and forge the bar, (Figs 16, 17 & 18)
Balance the bar shoe from the heels forward so that the branches come from the bar at the same shape and angle (Fig 19)

Crisp up the bar and edges at a cooler temperature to finish, and then you can mark your toe for the centre, and add fullering or nail holes, (Fig 20 & 21)

This technique requires a little practice. When mastered you can make good bar shoes with a large frogplate very efficiently. Good luck!

 

 

Archive - Forge Magazine - June 2009
Laminitis, hoof quality and the effects of diet

By Tracey Hammond, MSc (Dist), Equine Nutritionist, Dengie Horse Feeds

In addition to a veterinary surgeon, a farrier is likely to be one of the first people contacted for advice by an owner of a laminitic horse or pony. Having an all-round understanding of laminitis management, including diet and feeding for improved hoof condition, is important to help give clients the best possible advice in controlling this problem.

 

Practical advice for horse owners – general advice for dealing with laminitis
Weigh and body condition score horses regularly, and aim to maintain at an ideal bodyweight.
If a horse needs to lose weight this must be done gradually and horses should never be starved. Initially, gradually restrict intake to 1.5% of a horse’s current bodyweight and then gradually to 1.5% of its ideal bodyweight. Feed little and often to avoid long periods without feed and make the horse work harder for food, for example by using small holed haynets or one inside another.
Analyse forage to determine levels of nonstructural carbohydrates as it is impossible to determine by visual assessment. Soaking hay can reduce levels of water soluble nutrients, such as sugars.
Grass intake can be totally restricted by stabling or turnout on a no grass area with access to forage. To allow some grass access and the benefits of free exercise limit the size of area available to the horse or use a grazing muzzle.
Use overnight turnout with removal from the pasture by mid morning as fructan levels are likely to be lower.
Providing a horse is completely sound, exercise has many benefits in aiding weight loss and improving insulin sensitivity.

General feeding management of the laminitic
Although laminitis may be triggered by many factors, it is commonly associated with diet and obesity. In relation to diet there are strong associations with excessive intake of rapidly fermentable or nonstructural carbohydrate that includes simple sugars, starch and fructan.
Nonstructural carbohydrate that escapes digestion in the small intestine is rapidly fermented in the large intestine. This rapid fermentation results in increased production of lactic acid creating a more acidic environment within the gut. This increases gut permeability allowing the absorption of numerous possible laminitis trigger factors, including endotoxins, which are produced as a result of changes in the bacterial population within the gut.
The endocrinological effects of a diet high in nonstructural carbohydrates and obesity are also linked to laminitis, particularly with respect to insulin sensitivity. Obesity, combined with insulin resistance and laminitis has been termed metabolic syndrome (Johnson 2002), but the use of this term is open to debate. Although the exact mechanism linking insulin resistance and laminitis is unknown, it has been postulated that there are three mechanisms that could predispose horses to laminitis. These include the impairment of glucose delivery to the hoof keratinocytes, alteration of blood flow to the foot and development of a proinflammatory state (Geor and others 2007).
Hoffman and others (2003) found that insulin sensitivity was 80 per cent lower in obese horses compared to non-obese horses. Furthermore in the same study even non-obese horses adapted to a high sugar and starch ration had lower insulin sensitivity, suggesting that horses fed meals rich in sugar and starch may have a higher risk of developing insulin resistance. This work was further supported by Treiber and others (2005) who found that weanlings fed a high sugar and starch ration had lower levels of insulin sensitivity, compared to those fed a high fibre and fat ration.
Evidence suggests that the long-term nutritional management of laminitis-prone individuals should focus on reducing intake of rapidly fermentable nonstructural carbohydrates and maintaining an appropriate bodyweight. The main sources or highest concentration of nonstructural carbohydrate in the horse’s diet are starch primarily from cereal grains, simple sugars from grass and any added molasses, and fructan, which is the ‘storage’ polysaccharide found in grass.
In practice, managing nonstructural carbohydrate intake in the horse’s ‘bucket feed’ can be achieved by making appropriate feed choices that include reducing levels of sugar and starch in favour of fibre and additional oil where necessary. Generally, this means avoiding most coarse mixes and cubes with the exception of those that have been specifically formulated to be low in sugar and starch including those that are Laminitis Trust approved.
Controlling a horse’s fructan intake while at grass is not as easy to manage due to naturally fluctuating levels of fructan that are difficult to predict, and in some cases the best advice is to avoid grass access. Longland and Cairns (2000) outline many of the factors that influence grass fructan levels. Practical advice on turnout given by the authors includes turnout late at night with removal from pasture by mid morning, avoidance of pastures that have not been managed by regular cutting or grazing, and avoiding turnout in spring and autumn.
Restriction of grass intake for horses allowed some turnout can be achieved by the use of a grazing muzzle or by restricting the area of grass available. There is evidence to suggest that controlled feed intake in conjunction with exercise is successful in improving insulin sensitivity in horses (Freestone and others 1992).

Free radicals
Ischaemia and reperfusion to the laminae generate free radicals that attack cell membranes and damage cell contents. Neville and others (2004) evaluated urinary TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) in normal and chronic laminitic ponies and found that the concentrations of TBARS were three times higher in the urine of chronic laminitics compared with normal ponies. As TBARS are used as a marker for free radical damage, this study suggests that laminitis results in increased free radical damage. In addition to laminitis, free radical formation is also known to increase with changes in glucose and insulin metabolism (Johnson 2002).
This research suggests that supplying key antioxidant nutrients such as selenium and vitamin E, to counter deleterious effects of free radicals may be beneficial. One important practical factor to consider is that laminitis prone horses and ponies are often on restricted rations especially if they are overweight. Restricted grass and forage intake in addition to little supplementary feed increases the importance of an adequate supply of vitamins and minerals to the ration to provide these key nutrients.

Essential fatty acids
The essential fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6 have numerous functions within the body and are incorporated in cell membranes. Fatty acids in cell membranes can be metabolised and used in the synthesis of eicosanoids which are hormone-like substances including prostaglandins and thromboxanes. Generally eicosanoids from omega-6 essential fatty acids are inflammatory, while those from omega-3 essential fatty acids are anti-inflammatory. This suggests that high intake of omega-6 puts the body in an ‘inflammatory’ state and has been linked to inflammatory diseases such as arthritis in humans.
There is currently limited research on omega-3 supplementation in horses especially with regards to laminitis. Neelley and Herthel (1997) found essential fatty acid supplementation beneficial in carbohydrate overload induced laminitis. This was suggested to be due to decreased inflammation, decreased vasoconstriction, and control of hypertension or the effects of coagulation. To date as far as the author is aware no further studies have validated these findings and it is clear that more research is necessary.
Although no equine specific research exists to identify the level of omega-3 that horses might require, it is known that pasture fed cattle produce milk and meat containing significantly more omega-3 than grain fed cattle (Nuernberg and others. 2005). Although hay will supply some omega-3, the limiting of access to pasture because of laminitis suggests that supplementing with omega-3 may be beneficial. The best source of omega-3 is fish oil but if owners prefer to use non-marine sources then hemp and linseed oil are the next best options.

Key nutrients for healthy hooves
Good hoof horn quality is important to all horses and ponies. Although little evidence exists specifically regarding laminitis, providing nutrients to promote good quality hoof horn is important. Before considering the addition of specific nutrients to promote improved hoof quality, it is prudent to ensure the basal ration is balanced. The reason for this is that supplying some nutrients in excess of requirements such as zinc and calcium may not actually be beneficial unless an imbalance or deficiency is present. Other nutrients such as selenium are toxic when fed in excess.

Biotin
Biotin is a sulphur containing B vitamin essential for cell proliferation and is the most commonly identified nutrient for improving hoof quality. B vitamins are synthesised by micro-organisms in the digestive tract as a by-product of fermentation. In a healthy digestive system, the horse would be expected to produce sufficient biotin to maintain hoof condition. If the supply of fibre is compromised or the environment of the gut is not conducive to allow bacteria to function efficiently, then the production of B vitamins, including biotin, may be compromised. Poor hoof condition can often be a reflection of an unhealthy digestive system.
Numerous studies have tried to identify the level of biotin required to help address poor hoof horn quality. Buffa and others (1992) found that supplementation with 15mg of biotin per day over a 10-month period achieved increased hoof hardness and greater growth rates than horses supplemented with 7.5mg per day. Josseck and others (1995) found 20mg of biotin per day over a three-year period reduced the severity of hoof horn defects, increased tensile strength and improved the condition of the white line. Commonly hoof supplements therefore provide 15mg or more of biotin per day at the horse feeding rate to promote improved hoof horn.

Zinc
Zinc is a well known trace mineral for the health and integrity of hair, skin and hooves and is especially important for the prevention of defective keratin with low levels resulting in soft, brittle hooves. Coenen and Spitzlei (1997) found that horses with insufficient hoof horn strength had lower levels of zinc in both plasma and hoof horn compared to normal horses that subsequently increased with supplementation.
The availability of nutrients for absorption significantly affects their value to the horse. Inorganic sources such as zinc sulphate are more vulnerable to interactions that reduce their absorption from the digestive tract. Chelating minerals by attaching them to another molecule such as protein or sugar makes them easier to absorb meaning they are less vulnerable to interaction. As these are expensive additions to feeds and supplements they are often included as a proportion of the total level of mineral supplied.

Calcium
Calcium is important for hoof quality as it is involved in creating sulphur cross links between hoof proteins and is also important in the cohesion of cells. Kempson (1987) identified two distinct types of hoof defect in brittle feet by scanning electron microscope observations that responded differently to supplementation. The first defect that showed loss of structure and horn in the stratum externum was successfully remedied with biotin supplementation alone. The second defect showed poor attachment of keratin squame that did not improve until calcium was added in addition to biotin.
Calcium is linked very closely with phosphorous and the ratio of these two minerals in the diet is crucial. The diet of the horse that responded to calcium supplementation was reported to have been low in calcium and relatively high in phosphorus and so supplementation is likely to have readdressed this balance. Furthermore Kempson (1987) has found marked improvements in horn quality when oats have been replaced with lucerne or alfalfa, which is a naturally good source of both protein and calcium.
Again this study highlights the importance of a generally balanced diet rather than focusing on specific nutrients in isolation. If the diet is otherwise balanced, then the addition of key nutrients such as biotin may be beneficial to improve hoof quality in some situations.

Practical advice for horse owners – supplements
Overweight horses and ponies or good doers are unlikely to need large amounts of additional feed, but it is still important to ensure that a balanced ration is provided for good hoof quality.
If feeding a fibre-only diet or less than recommended of a feed with added vitamins and minerals an additional source of vitamins and minerals will be required.
For horses with poor hoof quality it makes nutritional and economical sense to ensure adequate vitamins and minerals are supplied prior to adding a specialised hoof supplement.
When comparing key nutrients in feeds or supplements compare the amount supplied by the feeding rate rather than the percentage or by a set quantity, such as 100g. A supplement that supplies 100mg per 100g of a nutrient may seem better than one that supplies 50mg per 100g of the same nutrient. If however the first supplement is fed at a rate of 50g and the second 150g, the second supplement will actually supply a greater level of that particular nutrient.

 

References
BUFFA, E.A., VAN DEN BERG, S.S., VERSTRAETE, F.J.M. and SWART, N.G.N. (1992) Effect of a dietary biotin supplement on equine hoof horn growth rate and hardness. EVJ. 24, 472-474.
COENEN, M. and SPITZLEI. (1997) The composition of equine hoof horn with regard to its quality (hardness) and nutrient supply of horses. Proc, 15th Equine Nutr. Physiol. Symp. pp 209-212
FREESTONE, J.F., BEADLE, R., SHOEMAKER, K., BESSIN, R.T., WOLFSHEIMER, K.J. and CHURCH, C. (1992) Improved insulin sensitivity in hyperinsulinaemic ponies through physical conditioning and controlled feed intake. EVJ. 24 (3), 187-190.
GEOR, R.J., TREIBER, K.H., CARTER, R.A. and HARRIS, P. (2007) Metabolic predispositions to laminitis: obesity and insulin resistance. Proceedings of the 1st International Waltham®/Royal Veterinary College Laminitis Conference. Eds: P.A. Harris, S.J. Hill, J. Elliott and S.R. Bailey, EVJ Ltd, Newmarket. pp 23-28.
HOFFMAN, R.M., BOSTON, R.C., STEFANOVSKI, D., KRONFELD, D.S. and HARRIS, P.A. (2003) Obesity and diet affect glucose dynamics and insulin sensitivity in Thoroughbred geldings. J. Anim. Sci. 81, 2333-2342.
JOHNSON, P.J. (2002) The equine metabolic syndrome (peripheral Cushing’s syndrome). Vet. Clin. N. Am.: Equine Pract. 18, 271-293.
JOSSECK, H., ZENKER, W. and GEYER. H. (1995) Hoof horn abnormalities in Lipizzaner horses and the effect of dietary biotin on macroscopic aspects of hoof horn quality. EVJ. 27, 175-182.
KEMPSON, S.A. (1987) Scanning electron microscope observations of hoof horn from horses with brittle feet. VR. 120, 568-570.
LONGLAND, A.C. and CAIRNS, A.J. (2000) Fructans and their implications in the aetiology of laminitis. Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Feeding Horses, Northampton. pp 52-55.
NEELLEY, K.A. and HERTHEL, D.J. (1997) Essential fatty acid supplementation as a preventative for carbohydrate overload-induce laminitis. Proc. Am. Ass. Equine Practnrs. 43, 367-369.
NEVILLE, R.F., HOLLANDS, T., COLLINS, S.N. and KEYTE, F.V. (2004) Evaluation of urinary TBARS in normal and chronic laminitic ponies. EVJ. 36 (3), 292-294.
NUERNBERG, K., DANNENBERGER, D., NUERNBERG, G., ENDER, K., VOIGT, J., SCOLLAN, N.D., WOOD, J.D., NUTE, G.R., and RICHARDSON, R.I. (2005) Effect of a grass-based and a concentrate feeding system on meat quality characteristics and fatty acid composition of longissimus muscle in different cattle breeds. J. Livestock. Prod. Science. 94, 137-147
TRIEBER, K.H., BOSTON, R.C., KRONFELD, D.S., STANIAR, W.B. and HARRIS, P.A. (2005) Insulin resistance and compensation in Thoroughbred weanlings adapted to high-glycemic meals. J. Anim. Sci. 83, 2357-2364.

 

Archive - Forge Magazine - June 2009
Using a recessed frog support pad to treat horses with long toes and weak heels

Chris Wiggins has been a farrier for 16 years. He is based in Kent and works on most types of horses, as well as working closely with the vets at a large equine veterinary clinic. He holds the Associate of the Worshipful Company Farriers with Honours.

On April 18, Chris Wiggins attended a case study day where farriers, vets, physiotherapists and chiropractors got together to work on horses with long toes and weak heels, to see if they could improve the soundness and comfort of these horses. The horses were walked and trotted up, and high-speed photography was used to check their stride length. They were then X-rayed and each case discussed as to the appropriate treatment.

Two of the horses were suffering from enlarged or prolapsed frogs, weak heals and a broken back hoof pastern axis. To treat them, Chris used a pad system that he developed and has used for some years, with great success, he says. As a few of the farriers had not seen this treatment, Chris is sharing his method through the pages of Forge.

Recessed frog support pad
The recessed frog support pad is mainly used in horses with enlarged or prolapsed frogs, weak heels and a broken hind hoof pastern axis.

The pad helps this condition by supporting the frog and realigning the hoof pastern axis.

 

This is a good example of a horse that would benefit from the
application of a recessed frog support pad

I start with a recessed pad like this one

First, lightly clean the ground surface of the pad

Apply a strip of Duck tape to the pad – to the foot surface – to prevent too much hoof adhesive (in this case Super Fast, Vettec) material escaping through the holes in the pad

Apply a small amount of petroleum jelly to the frog mould to help prevent sticking

Starting filling up the holes and then the rest of the mould to produce a frog-shaped support

After two minutes the mould can be removed

You can see that a small amount of glue has come through and formed a rivet

Fit the pad to the shoe before fitting to the foot. (I fit the shoe with a little more width and length when using pads)

Grind the frog piece to the same height as the heels of the shoe and the apex a little lower than that

Fitting tape to the ground bearing surface will prevent the packing material leaking out. I used a fast setting silicone (Sil-Pak, Vettec) to provide a cushion under the pad. You can now nail on the shoe and finish off

Once the material has set (this takes about one minute), remove the tape and the finished job looks like this

 

Archive - Forge Magazine - June 2009
Barefoot trimming versus conventional farriery?

By Andrew P. Bathe MA, VetMB, DipECVS, DEO, MRCVS

This year’s Newmarket Orthopaedic Discussion Group meetings began with a debate on the merits and demerits of barefoot trimming versus conventional farriery and shoeing. The meeting took place at the end of March and was attended by more than 90 people.

Veterinary nurse, Jackie Sansom, VN, DAEP, qualified from the Institute of Applied Equine Podiatry in 2007. She argued eloquently that barefoot practitioners were challenging tradition because there were so many lameness issues and problems associated with conventional methods. She stated that the philosophy and principals of applied equine podiatry were that structure and function led to performance, that the horse has an innate ability to heal itself, that correct pressure is the stimulus for correct growth and that trimmers should do no harm.

She said that the foot responds to its environment and that by shoeing a horse, this defined the foot’s environment and that shoeing would lead to degeneration of internal structures. She declared that the inside of the foot was a mirror of the outside. To qualify as an equine podiatrist she had undergone 200 hours of training and 200 hours of theory and examinations.
Simon Curtis, FWCF, Hon Assoc RCVS, then gave his views as a highly-qualified and experienced farrier. He stated that the three main reasons for shoeing a horse were to provide protection, to provide grip and for remedial purposes. He cited the example of brood mares where the majority would be unshod, but a small proportion would be shod because this is the only way of keeping them sound. He showed examples where shoeing provided symmetry for the foot, and a number of severe cases where remedial shoeing was necessary. He said that farriers were trained in various techniques and could trim horses on a regular basis. He suggested that farriers could learn some business sense from the barefoot trimmers, and should respond to requests from owners in a positive, rather than a negative, fashion.

A heated debate followed, with the large number of farriers in the audience considering that the quality and length of training they underwent was far superior to the short training period of barefoot trimmers. It was pointed out that farriery is a regulated profession and thus farriers are accountable. Although there were claims made for a scientific basis to barefoot trimming, none was presented, and there was general concern about the quality of this research, and its lack of publication in peer-reviewed journals. In response to questioning about how different a foot would look trimmed by a farrier as opposed to an equine podiatrist, Jackie was unable to offer a clear difference. It was claimed that barefoot trimmers trim to the ‘live sole plane’ and that this could guarantee accuracy in all cases. They do not use a T-square or assess dynamic balance. The farriers in the audience gave multiple examples of horses that they would trim when in light work or during the winter, but required shoeing when in harder exercise. Jackie made the point that to make the conversion from being shod to being unshod required considerable commitment on an owner’s behalf in terms of permitting time out of work while the feet adjusted, and in changing the horse’s environment.

There are different schools of barefoot trimming, and it was pointed out that three barefoot trimmers have been convicted of cruelty to horses, whereas no farriers have been convicted of this. Trimmers are working towards proper training and regulation.
In conclusion, there certainly appears to be demand from some owners for barefoot trimming. This often seems to be part of an overall move towards ‘natural horsemanship’, which is fashionable in some circles. The farriers made a very good argument in favour of their ability and willingness both to trim, and to shoe when appropriate. I do not think that any of the veterinary surgeons present were convinced that barefoot trimming was superior to conventional farriery, and were of the opinion that scientific justification should be provided. There is certainly interest from horse owners and it was encouraging to see the level of interest from farriers. It would certainly seem that farriers could sell themselves better in respect of their trimming ability, and perhaps should appear more open-minded to owners who express an interest in their horses going barefoot.

 

Archive - Forge Magazine - June 2009
Diagnosis and treatment of hindlimb lameness

By Stephanie Dakin, BvetMed, MRCVS, The Royal Veterinary College

• Lateromedial radiographic projection of the right hock of a mature horse showing osteophyte formation and narrowing of the distal intertarsal joint

• Oblique radiographic projection of the same hock showing marked osseous reaction and narrowing of the distal intertarsal joint

 

Hindlimb lameness is a common occurrence in equids of all shapes, sizes and athletic disciplines. Not only does it have welfare implications for the horse, it is also a performance limiting factor and a source of economic loss. Once identified it may present a diagnostic challenge to veterinary surgeons when trying to pinpoint the source of pain. There are a multitude of orthopaedic conditions affecting the equine hindlimb, which may affect any soft tissue or bony structure from the distal phalanx to the pelvis. This article focuses on osteoarthritis of the small hock joints as one of the more common causes of hindlimb lameness.

Anatomy and aetiology
The hock joint consists of numerous articulations including the tarsocrural, talocalcaneal, proximal and distal intertarsal and the tarsometatarsal joints, the latter two are often referred to as the small or distal tarsal joints. Distal hock pain is a common occurrence in horses from all disciplines, often associated with osteoarthritis (OA), colloquially termed ‘bone spavin’. Abnormal conformation such as sickle or cow-hock may be predisposing factors, although the condition is frequently observed in horses with normal hindlimb conformation. The disease is often bilateral with the low motion small hock joints most commonly affected although OA may also affect the more proximal joints. It has been proposed that the condition may result from excessive rotation and compression of the distal tarsal joints, although there may be a genetic component rendering some horses at a greater risk of developing OA.

History and clinical signs
The degree of lameness exhibited by horses with distal hock joint pain may vary considerably between individuals, ranging from subtle lack of hindlimb impulsion to moderate or severe hindlimb lameness. Owners may report that their horse is difficult to shoe or may ‘warm into work’, although this is by no means specific for this condition. Distension of the larger tarsocrural joint may reflect involvement of the proximal intertarsal joint; however, bony swellings are only usually observed in chronic cases of distal tarsal joint pain at the medial aspect of the limb. Other non-specific signs may include abnormal wearing of the toe and muscle atrophy of the hindquarters.

Diagnosis
Infiltration of the affected joints (intra-articular blocks) or local area (peri-neural blocks) with local anaesthetic and assessment for improvement in the level of lameness is frequently conducted by the veterinary surgeon in order to confirm the small tarsal joints as the source of pain. However, a negative response does not necessarily preclude the presence of disease, especially if there is damage to the subchondral bone (Dabareiner and others, 2002). Communication between the distal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal joints has been reported in up to 30 per cent of horses, although not necessarily in both hocks of the same horse (Sack and Orsini 1981; Bell and others, 1993; Dyson and Romero 1993; Gough and others, 2002).

Radiographic examination of the tarsus may be conducted, generally four views are required as in some cases lesions may only be present in one radiographic view. Images of both hocks should be obtained as disease is often bilateral. Classical radiographic signs of OA include narrowing of the joint spaces, peri-articular osteophyte formation and in more advanced cases, lysis or sclerosis of the subchondral bone underlying the cartilage. There appears to be a poor correlation between the extent of radiographic abnormality and the degree of lameness, for instance sometimes a horse with subtle radiographic signs of OA may appear more painful than the horse with advanced disease whereby the small tarsal joints are almost fused together. Additional diagnostic aids such as ultrasonography or nuclear scintigraphy may be employed if radiographic examination is inconclusive.

Treatment options
Multiple therapeutic options exist which may be useful in managing OA of the small tarsal joints. Corrective trimming and shoeing to ensure good mediolateral balance in addition to squaring and rolling of the toe to facilitate breakover are crucial and compliment other treatment options that are available. In some horses, a lateral extension of the shoe can be of benefit although these should not be used for horses that have to stop and turn abruptly as they result in increased torque on the joints of the lower leg (Dabareiner and others, 2002). The ideal therapy should: provide analgesia such that the horse is able to maintain athletic function; be a drug capable of modifying the disease process; have minimal adverse side effects.

Current available treatments include palliative administration of the oral analgesic phenlybutazone (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug), medication of the affected joints with corticosteroids, hyaluronan or polysulphated glycosaminoglycans (PSGAGS), systemic PSGAGs and oral nutraceuticals. It has been previously suggested that maintaining the horse in work may accelerate fusion of the affected joints. Although it is unlikely that complete fusion of the small hock joints will occur in all cases of OA, adapting the horse’s workload to a consistent level is an important component of the rehabilitation progress, ensuring that the horse’s pain relief if well managed. As a last resort, surgical drilling to promote fusion of the joints may be undertaken, although there are inherent risks associated with the procedure, including anaesthesia of the horse and a prolonged recovery time for return to athleticism.

More recently, administration of an intravenous infusion of tiludronate has been used successfully to treat OA of the small hock joints in Europe and is now available in the UK. The drug is designed to modulate the disease process by regulating the rate of bone remodelling in diseased joints, effectively slowing down bone resorption, thereby preventing further damage to the joint. The drug is particularly useful for horses with recent onset OA of the small tarsal joints and can be used as part of the therapeutic armamentarium in combination with other treatments such as phenlybutazone in conjunction with a suitable exercise programme and corrective farriery as part of a multifaceted approach to the disease management.

Prognosis for OA of the small tarsal joints is largely dependent on the severity of disease from the outset and the level of work that the horse is expected to perform. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment tailored to the individual horse are preferable in order to optimise the chances of successful return to work. It is likely that continued careful trimming and shoeing in conjunction with the other therapies described above will need to be continued in order to allow the horse to be comfortable in its work.

 

References
BELL, B., BAKER, G., FOREMAN, J., and others (1993). In vivo investigation of communication between the distal tarsal and tarsometatarsal joints in horses and ponies. Vet Surg, 22, 289
DABAREINER, R., CARTER G., and DYSON S. (2002). The Tarsus. In ROSS, M. and DYSON, S. (editors), Diagnosis and Management of Lameness in the Horse. Philadelphia, 2002. WB Saunders
DYSON, S. and ROMERO, J. (1993). An investigation of injection techniques for local analgesia of the equine distal tarsus and proximal metatarsus. EVJ, 25, 30
GOUGH, M., MUNROE, G., and MAYHEW, I. G. (2002). Diffusion of mepivacaine between adjacent synovial structures in the horse. Part 2: tarsus and stifle. EVJ. 43, 85-90
SACK, W. and ORSINI, P. (1981). Distal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal joints in the horse: communication and injection sites. JAVMA,179, 355
Tiludronate is a bisphosphonate – a bone metabolism regulator – which inhibits bone resorption. Bone is a very dynamic tissue, constantly being formed and reabsorbed through-out a horse’s life. In the healthy adult skeleton, the rate of bone turnover is balanced. If the balance is disturbed, disease can occur. New bone is formed by cells called osteoblasts; while cells called osteo-clasts are involved in reabsorbing bone. Tiludronate acts by inhibiting osteoclast activity.

 

Archive - Forge Magazine - June 2009
Handmade Shoes (UK) Ltd Spring Clinic

Ever increasing in popularity the Handmade Shoes (UK) Ltd Spring Clinic, held over the weekend April 25 and 26, welcomed over 250 farriers and apprentices. Fresh from success at the World Championship Blacksmiths Competition in Madison, Wisconsin, guest clinician Jim Quick proved a popular choice. A highly regarded competitive farrier and manufacturer of his own range of shoemaking tongs, Jim is to judge this year’s 30th anniversary World Championships at Calgary, with clinic host and friend Billy Crothers.

Shoeing for weight-bearing and breakover
The morning kicked off with an interactive lecture; ‘Shoeing for weight-bearing and breakover”. Following the US a lot of emphasis is now put on assisted breakover style shoeing in the UK. Defining breakover as when ‘extension ends and flexion begins’, Jim believes that hind limbs don’t breakover but ‘push off’. The horse, he suggested, is a two-wheel drive vehicle with the hindquarters exhibiting a far larger muscle mass than the front quarters to provide power and motion from ‘behind’, hence the use of the phrase ‘push off’. The difference in the way that the limbs work is further confirmed by stating that as the knee flexes forwards in the front limb, the hock flexes backwards in the hind limb.

As Jim pointed out horses are shod for the work that they do; but when they are only working for an hour a day should more emphasis be put on weight-bearing for the remaining 23 hours when the horse is in the stable or field?
The bony column, laminae, the hoof wall and the ground all have a vital role to play in weight-bearing. Jim likened a horse’s ability to bear weight with building the foundations of a house – you wouldn’t build a house on soft foundations. Given this analogy, weight-bearing for the horse should occur more in the front part of the foot where there is a larger amount of hoof wall compared with the back part. The positioning of the shoe should, therefore, be at the point of maximum weight-bearing ability, with adequate breakover.

Factors affecting the point of breakover are considered to be toe length, heel to toe length, hoof pastern axis, age conditioning, surface condition and toe shape. Jim suggested that in a perfect world a horse would breakover at any point he chooses – horses don’t have straight limbs and may breakover at different points, assessing shoe wear is, therefore, important.
Trimming is carried out to a safe and acceptable length, dressing the dorsal wall in a straight line and taking into consideration HPA and Duckett’s Dot. Jim utilises a contour gauge applied an inch below the coronary band to reflect the shape of the coffin bone and trims to that shape. The frog is described as an ‘underused tool in weight-bearing’, and when trimming, the consideration should be what can be left on as opposed to what can be taken off.

It was suggested that shoe selection was more for performance than weight-bearing; it is unlikely that the horse will know what is on its feet, but will know if the fit and trim is right. Endorsing simple shoeing methods supported by sound and practical theories, Jim provided a powerful insight into his shoeing beliefs.

Practical shoeing
Following the lecture was a chance to put theory into practise with six-year-old event horse, ‘Riley’. Following trimming, Jim selected Handmade Shoes Concave with side clips to support the use of double stud holes. The inside of all front shoes are ‘safed’ and ‘boxed’ with a definite inside and outside. Shoes are fitted to the widest part of the frog (the origin of where the heel grows) and Jim nails on with two nails and examines his work before nailing on further, choosing to twist nails off instead of bending them over after witnessing too many injuries with nails so exposed. The use of a push clench groover was employed to maximum effect and the foot finished effortlessly. Throughout the shoeing Jim demonstrated all the theories he endorsed coupled with an empathetic shoeing style to ensure the experience is a comfortable and safe one for both horse and farrier.
At home in the States, Jim begins his day making shoes in his own ‘shop’. The toes are left open to allow for fitting to individual horses. Good quality concave shoes are not as readily available in the States compared with the UK and, coupled with the high cost of coke (the cheapest source involves a 10-hour round trip to Albuquerque!), chooses to make many of his own from gas. Jim prefers to shoe one foot at a time, (hopefully decreasing the risk of a horse pawing the ground after trimming), and believes in this way he can work most efficiently to get the job done. Many horses are shod without the use of clips; the feet are drier and there is a decreased risk of shoes being pulled off. Believing in simple shoeing Jim stays away from ‘gizmo’s, gadgets and products’; and all horses are shod on a regular six-weekly cycle. Quite often just four nails will be used citing heel nails as being the more important. Fronts are regularly shod with ‘flat stock’, with hinds in concave to allow for the increase traction in the ground to ‘push off’.

Shoemaking demonstration
Following lunch, the afternoon continued on a practical theme with a shoemaking demonstration. Various skills were displayed over the two days including a pair of quarter clipped concave hinds made from 7/8" x 3/8"; the conversion of a Handmade Shoes Concave to an assisted breakover shoe, a rocker shoe and a rolled toe shoe; a threequarter fullered shoe, a heart bar and a straight bar with a frog plate.

For both heart bars and straight bars, Jim has carefully calculated formulae to allow for material length and section for the desired shoe. With egg bars every ½" increase in stock bar results in a ¼" increase in length; with heart bars every 1" in stock bar results in a ¼" increase in length. The frog plate in the straight bar was demonstrated to apply support and not pressure and would be positioned for the tip to be 33 per cent of the length of the bone behind the tip of the bone. Upon fitting, the exposed frog would be removed so that it doesn’t bear weight.

In all demonstrations Jim exhibited a simple, effortless style of shoemaking employing a ‘system’ in his work, knowing at each stage of forging what should be achieved. The result? Amongst a selection of highly crafted shoes were two purposefully matching shoes with identical shape and daylight shining through every precisely placed nail hole!

Tong making
As manufacturer of his own range of shoemaking tongs, Jim undoubtedly understands tongs and how they work. Farriers frequently sharpen their knives, fullers and punches but how many regularly check, tighten and reset their tongs? Jim demonstrated the making of a set of tongs with the use of ‘billets’. At home Jim is inclined to use ‘sucker rods’, which is essentially a medium to low grade tool steel used on oil rigs. The two reins of the tongs must be a pair, and ‘want to be a pair’, and should swing freely without binding at any point with the rivet being stuck to one half. Stating that it is better to open a tong than close one, Jim has a personal preference for reins being closer together and stated that short, tidy jaws will always have far more strength than bigger jaws. If more than a red heat, they should never be quenched but allowed to air cool.

Making many of his own, Jim firmly believes in the understanding of all tools in order to be able to employ their use correctly. Tools are dispensable and don’t have to last a lifetime – as skills develop your needs and therefore your tools will change too.
Throughout the day, Jim’s repertoire displayed a lot of what he does on a daily basis and demonstrated quite clearly his belief in simple practical methods that not only work but are consistent. Delivered in an eloquent and extremely humorous manner, with many questions from the audience, the clinic undoubtedly provided plenty of food for thought.

To compliment the informative clinic provided by Jim, the weekend was an opportunity to showcase the range of products, old and new, offered by Handmade Shoes. A perfect occasion to catch up with friends and a chance to put faces to names for both Handmade clients and staff alike a thoroughly enjoyable time was had by all who attended.