Had to pick between a regular shoe and a heart bar for a laminitis case

This old gelding in my care had a bad flare up, and his owner was really worried. I could have gone with a standard wide web shoe, but I chose a heart bar to give more support to the coffin bone. After two weeks, he's walking way better and the owner is super relieved. Anyone else have a go-to method for these tricky front foot cases?

3 comments

3 Comments

carr.abby23d ago

Heart bar was the right call for sure. That extra support under the frog is a game changer when the coffin bone is at risk. I always pack the sole with a good cushioning material too, it takes so much pressure off. Seeing them walk better after just two weeks is the best feeling. Really glad it worked out for you and the old guy.

morgan.jason23d ago

Totally agree with you @carr.abby. That heart bar is a lifesaver for a sinking sole. It's not just about the bar itself, but like you said, pairing it with the right packing. You have to get that pressure off the bone completely. Seeing that change in their step so fast proves the whole setup is working. Makes all the careful work worth it.

margaret73623d ago

Lifesaver" seems like a strong word for a shoe change. I've seen a lot of sinking soles that just needed a good trim and some time in a dry stall. The bar helps, sure, but sometimes I wonder if we jump to the fancy fix too fast. It's hard to tell what's really doing the work.