Hoof wear for those who care - poly hoof wraps

Above is an example of how to treat a loss of structure in the heel area. Following trimming and debridement a Sole Mate Therapeutic Pad insert was fashioned to fill the void. The insert was heated to facilitate molding and held in place using PHW Super Aggressive Mastic. Anchors were strategically placed to aid in stabilizing the quarter without immobilizing. The PHW offers dynamic stability and works with the insert to provide needed stimulus speeding recover time. This horse competes in the joust and was able to compete the following day. The owner chose not to shoe to the PHW, but a flexible shoe could have easily been applied if desired. 

 How can prolapse be prevented? First and foremost, anytime that corium or living tissue is involved, so to should the veterinarian be involved. As a hoof care provider your work begins and ends with the hoof. Working with an attending veterinarian to prevent infection and reduce inflammation you can help in preventing the prolapse from occurring by creating resistance where resistance has been compromised (Poly hoof wraps)., not hoof cast).

Resistance does not mean support; it means mild pressure that does not result in pressure necrosis (death of tissue). 

The photos below are of a case that involved a coronary band prolapse. This type of prolapse is not very common, however can occur when a large area of the coronal groove of the hoof capsule is lost. The horse suffered an abscess which resulted in substantial loss of resistance at the coronary band. The foot was also very upright, and as a result a higher level of distortion occurred at the sight of the prolapse. 

Following debridement of the area that was compromised by the abscess the hoof was soaked in Clean Trax, a deep penetrating hoof cleanser. A Sole Mate Therapeutic insert was fashioned to facilitate stimulus that would speed recovery.  The area and insert were washed with Silvetrasol Hoof and Wound Wash just prior to the application of the Perfect Hoof Wear. This procedure was repeated every 4 weeks for four trim cycles.

The last photograph shows the hoof at four (4) months. The horse was sound following the first application and remained sound throughout the treatment period. 

The case presented below is another example of how PHW can be used to treat a wall deficit. This mare, "Chile" was treated for infection involving corium and bone. Surgery was performed to debride the area of infection. Following surgery the hoof was treated conventionally with the application of a glue-on shoe and wiring / stapling of the deficit, (under the care of a farrier and veterinarian in the UK). The owner later decided to implement  Applied Equine Podiatry in the horse's care and enlisting the help of Beccy Smith, ADAEP. The shoes were removed and the hoof was balanced. The deficit was treated to a Clean Trax soak prior to the application of PHW. PHW was applied every 6 weeks for nine months. The final photograph shows the progress. Chile is sound, and has returned to light work.  

The photographs below show how Cris Ann Bybee, DAEP, of Ely, Nevada treated a hoof resection gone bad. The pictures speak for themselves. Recovery time, 5 months.