hoof resection

This horse presented with an inch wide crack at the top of his coronary band and green pus oozing out of it. It was determined that he had somehow injured the very top of the coronary band and the tissue below it had necrotized. It created a pocked of infection that required resection and debridement. It was recommended that a metal band be screwed across the wound to hold the foot together. We decided a cast would be more appropriate and couldn’t be happier with the results. A wound and subsequent destabilization of the entire foot can be catastrophic. This horse is sound and back to work now, only six months later.

Hoof presented with an injury to the coronary band. Veterinarian resected from the top the bottom as shown.

Hoof was properly disinfected and cast, keeping the material off the wound. Horse was immediately sound.

The resection began to grow down quickly.

Gluing and casting over the hole made the wound instantly waterproof. Now the horse could be turned out.. very important as movement creates blood flow which enhances healing and hoof growth.

Hoof in between castings, redebrided and trimmed.

At this point the toe wall had crumpled enough that the fetlock was beginning to push forward and we decided we could create toe support by using a shoe. Initially we used steel for extra support.

The final product.. just a tiny surface crack left. We moved this hoof into aluminum and copper nails to allow a bit of give and less weight for the walls to carry. Total rehabilitation time was less than six months and the horse was sound after the first cast.

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