Ansc 440:  Horse Management
***************************************************************************
Lecture 11:  Hoof Problems
***************************************************************************
Description:  As discussed in last lecture, there are many functions of the horse's leg and hoof.  Unsoundness plague thousands of horses, therefore horse owners must be aware of all of the potential injuries that can occur, how to prevent them, and the appropriate treatments if such conditions do arise.  The importance of proper management ranges from keeping your horses living environment clean of manure and puncture objects to making sure you do not overfeed or change your horses diet abruptly, and keeping on regular trimming schedules.  These are just a few of the numerous considerations horse owners need to keep in mind to ensure their horse's hoof health.
Lecture Outline:
I.  Thrush
	A.  Definition
	B.  Usually caused by unclean/long untrimmed hoofs = owner neglect
	C.  Treatment/Preventative
II.  White line disease
	A.  Definition
	B.  Treatment
III.  Sole bruises
	A.  Definition
	B.  Preventative:  shoe horses to be rode on hard surfaces
	C.  Treatment
IV.  Corns
	A.  Definition
	B.  Prevention: resetting horse on schedule (every 6-8 wks)
	C.  Treatment
V.  Abscess
	A.  Definition
	B.  Treatment
VI.  Sand Crack (toe or quarter crack/ location)
	A.  Definition
	B.  Treatment
VII.  Navicular disease
	A.  Definition
	B.  Signs
	C.  Diagnoses
	D.  Treatment
VIII.  Laminitis
	A.  Definition
	B.  Acute
		1.  Definition
		2.  Causes
		3.  Signs
		4.  Treatment
	C.  Chronic
		1.  Definition
		2.  Treatment

Objectives:
1.  Define thrush and explain how it can be prevented and treated.
2.  Define white line disease and how it can be treated.
3.  Define sole bruised and how they are caused and how they can be treated.
4.  Define abscesses and how they can be treated.
5.  Define sand cracks, how they are caused, and how they can be treated.
6.  Describe the causes and signs of a horse with navicular disease.
7.  Describe the difference between acute and chronic laminitis.


Lecture 23:  Hoof Problems

HIH 540

I.  Thrush
	A.  Definition
		1.  destruction of the frog by anaerobic bacteria
		2.  black, strong smelling
		3.  common in commissure/sulcus of frog
		4.  can penetrate sensitive structures and form abscesses
	B.  Usually caused by unclean/long untrimmed hoofs = owner neglect
	C.  Treatment/Preventative
		1.  removing affected tissue
		2.  cleaning hoof once/day
		3.  antiseptic drying agent

II.  White line disease
	A.  Definition
		1.  infection in hoof wall by hoof digesting fungi
		2.  most common in humid areas
	B.  Treatment
		1.  affected wall removed by farrier
		2.  treated w/ a strong fungicide 

III.  Sole bruises
	A.  Definition
		1.  caused by caused by concussion to sole
		2.  by rocks, gravel, hard objects
	B.  Preventative:  shoe horses to be rode on hard surfaces
	C.  Treatment
		1.  shoes
		2.  protected with pads

IV.  Corns
	A.  Definition
		1.  specific types of sole bruises in heel area of foot
		2.  caused by leaving a short-heeled shoe on too long
	B.  Prevention: resetting horse on schedule (every 6-8 wks)
	C.  Treatment
		1.  trimming hoof away from bruised area
		2.  bar shoe to protect and transfer wt bearing off bruised area





V.  Abscess
	A.  Definition
		1.  pus pocket or infection of sensitive structures of foot
		2.  most often in sole or whit line area
		3.  follow path of least resistance until breaks out and drains (coronary band)
		4.  puncture wounds, thrush, sole bruises, laminitis
	B.  Treatment
		1.  must be opened and drained
		2.  soaking in Epsom salts = > drainage
		3.  germicide applied

VI.  Sand Crack (toe or quarter crack/ location)
	A.  Definition
		1.  vertical crack in hoof wall
		2.  extension of crack and severity varies
		3.  toe cracks pinch foot when bears wt
		4.  quarter cracks hurt most when foot raised
		5.  result from:
			a.  uneven wt bearing
			b.  irregular hoof growth
			c.  wire cuts
			d.  excessive hoof length
			e.  dry condition
	B.  Treatment
		1.  sides will not heal and join together
		2.  crack must be immobilized until grows out (metal plates, shoe clips...)

VII.  Navicular disease
	A.  Definition
		1.  pain in the area of the navicular bone (mild or severe)
		2.  may involve:
			a.  inflammation of navicular bursa 
			b.  ligament sprains
			c.  cartilage/tendon destruction
			d.  bone changes
		3.  caused by:
			a.  concussion (>steep pastern)
			b.  compression (>sloping pastern)
			c.  predisposed by heredity
				-conformation:  small feet for body size
	B.  Signs
		1.  pointing toe w/ heel off ground
		2.  shorter steps
		3.  may warm out of it; worse after rest


	C.  Diagnoses
		1.  hoof testers
		2.  nerve blocs
		3.  radiographs
	D.  Treatment
		1.  bar shoe w/ heel (length) support and rocker toe
		2.  low nerving operation is last resort
			-no feeling in back part of foot

VIII.  Laminitis
	A.  Definition
		1.  disturbance in circulation and bond of sensitive laminae of bone to horny 				laminae of hoof
		2.  acute and chronic
	B.  Acute
		1.  Definition
			a.  medical emergency/life threatening
			b.  laminae separating from hoof wall
			c.  rotation of coffin bone
		2.  Causes
			a.  colic by excessive grain intake
			b.  changes in feeds or feeding routine
			c.  excessive foot concussion or fatigue
		3.  Signs
			a.  heat in foot
			b.  stronger than normal pulse
			c.  stance:  front feet extended forward, rock back to hind feet
		4.  Treatment
			a.  difficult/ disappointing; long process; may die
			b.  heart bar shoes. medication, bandaging
	C.  Chronic
		1.  Definition
			a.  lingering lameness that limits usefulness
			b.  detected by irregular rings in hoof wall that are wider at heel than at 					toe 
			c.  may develop to acute when subjected to stressful conditions
		2.  Treatment
			a.  management
			b.  reshoeing regularly