My horses hoof crumbling away?

Question

My barrel horse has what looks to be white line desease . Her front right hoof is crumbling away at a very fast rate. The ferrier was able to build a hoof for her but i am scared at the rate its going she will be without a hoof...which we all know what that means. I am trying a product call horseshoers secret. Does anybody know of any other way to treat this. I dont want to lose my horse and i really dont think i have much time. Please help, all advice is appreciated.

Answer 1

First CALL A VET

things like this needs immediate attention

white line diesae is nothing to fool around with

and it sounds like your going about it wrong ,, the hoof needs to be hard, not soft ,, Iodine base mixed with other things ,, is more the way you need to go ,,

But you better call a vet .. it could be just  Thrush !!!! lets hope

  

Plus she got to be in pain !!

Answer 2

well first and foremost...get a second opinion...and a third if necessary. the vet may not be that great with horses..well not as good as he thinks he is anyway..

The "white line" refers to

the distinct non-pigmented inner layer of the hoof wall. On the

ground surface of the foot, it lies next to where the hoof wall

joins the sole.

In the disease's early stages, the only noticeable change on the

ground surface of the foot is a small powdery area located along

the hoof wall/sole junction. This may remain localized, or it may

progress to a larger area of the hoof wall.

White Line Disease may be found in one foot or all four and is

found among all breeds of horses. It begins with a separation

between the hoof wall and the sole. This can occur in several

places-the toe area, the toe and quarter of the foot, or the

heel. This separation removes the protective part of the hoof

wall/sole junction and allows bacteria and fungi-pathogens

readily found in the environment-to enter. These organisms may

also gain entry through cracks in the feet, nail holes or

fissures at the white line.

The destructive effects of these pathogens lead to progressive

deterioration of the inner hoof wall.

White Line Disease can also occur secondarily to chronic

laminitis where the laminae and associated hoof wall are

compromised.

White Line Disease poses no threat to the animal's soundness

until extensive damage is done. The horse will only appear lame

after the disease has caused the laminae and the hoof wall to

separate, resulting in the rotation of the coffin bone.

Factors contributing to separation at the hoof wall/sole junction

are excessive moisture; unbalanced feet; improper trimming, an

acute hoof angle such as that seen with long toe-underrun

conformation; flexure deformities (contracted tendons); clubfoot

and concurrent hoof problems such as hoof cracks; chronic

infection (abscesses or gravel); or direct trauma with subsequent

bleeding.

In the early stages, keen observation by your farrier is

necessary to detect subtle changes in the ground surface of the

foot. More often, the disease goes undetected until the horse

begins to show discomfort. At this point, the affected area can

be readily found on examination of the foot, and the extent of

the hoof wall loss can be determined with X-rays. With extensive

hoof wall damage, the painful stage can mimic laminitis both

clinically and in x-rays.

Treatment of White Line Disease is directed at the affected area

of the foot and supporting the foot with therapeutic shoeing if

hoof wall damage is extensive. Regardless of the extent of

damage, the affected area must be treated through

resection-removal of the outer hoof wall to expose the diseased

area-and debridement-removal of damaged tissue.

The exposed area is debrided every two weeks until there is a

solid junction between the inner hoof wall and the lamina. At

this point, the area can be left to grow out with periodic

debridement, or the defect can be repaired with an acrylic

substance.

Alternatively, various medications such as merthiolate, betadine

ointment or two percent iodine can be applied to the debrided

area. All of these preparations are used to treat infections and

have a drying effect. These medications are applied to the

affected area, and the area is packed with gauze and held in

place with duct tape.

Another method is to use a piece of sheet metal cut and molded to

fit over the defect on the outer hoof wall and attached with

screws. This keeps the area clean and allows the packing to be

changed at regular intervals. Whatever the treatment, it must be

combined with thorough debridement.

The type of shoe needed depends on the extent of the damaged hoof

wall. If the defect is small, the hoof is balanced and the foot

shod normally. If the resection is extensive, a full-support shoe

(heart bar or egg bar-heart bar combination) is used. The shoe

must allow any diseased area of the hoof wall from the toe to the

heels to be resected and treated while providing adequate

support. The full-support shoe supports the heel and allows some

weight-bearing to be transferred from the hoof wall to the frog.

The extent of the damage determines the amount of time required

to treat the disease, as the affected area has to grow out. For

example, if the affected area extended up near the coronary band

in the toe area, it will take about 10 months for the defect to

fully grow out. However, it is not usually necessary for the

horse to be out of work this entire time. The amount of exercise

permissible while treating White Line Disease depends on the

severity of the damage.

Discussing the problem with your farrier and having him examine

each foot when the horse is shod is extremely important. Any

small abnormal area should be explored and treated. Proper

trimming, balancing of the foot and correct shoeing are also

vital to maintaining a healthy foot.

if you google it you will find plenty of information about white line desease. hope this helps

Answer 3

Check out this supplement. I have heard real Good things about it.    http://www.allivet.com/Foundation-Powder...

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