The Gravelproof Hoof

In early November 2011 Rory sustained a major injury to the right forefoot, exposing corium.   The wound was dressed and kept in clean bandaging with boots and pads for five weeks.

Day 1

Day 20  post-injury

Corium has  sealed over

Subsequent distortion of the hoof capsule by January 2012 indicated the injury was far more serious than at first thought; lamina had been ripped apart right up to the coronet, as confirmed by thermographic imaging (courtesey of Jean Koek) and a deep cavity between the hoof wall and sole. 

 

Radiographs in February 2012 (courtesy of Dr Alison Macintosh)

 

showed an area of inflammation around the injury site but no evidence of any fracture, suggesting Rory’s bone was strong enough to withstand a traumatic impact that had pulled apart healthy lamella.

 

Despite years of grazing high-oxalate setaria pasture with no high-calcium feeds and very little calcium supplementation, plus many years of a low calcium and high magnesium diet, Rory does not show any signs of bone loss or bone weakness.

 to go to the Oxalates subpage where this topic is discussed in detail.

In April 2012 a large abscess formed which exited the hoof at the coronet directly above the injury site.   The abscess was still actively draining when the photo on the left below was taken 3 weeks after initial eruption.    The photo on the right below was taken in June 2012, showing the abscess scar growing down the hoof; this photo also clearly shows the large lamellar wedge created in response to the injury.

UPDATE JULY 2013

 

Rory's injury is now just about fully healed, the disorted hoof capsule is close to regaining it's normal shape.   The last of the lamella wedge should reach reach ground level within a couple of months - more than 18 months after the injury.

 

Rory is once more completely sound barefoot on all terrain.

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