FAQ's |
"Words of a Farrier" David Hayne, 30 year veteran Farrier, AFA member 7600 and VP for the Nova Scotia Farrier Association ~ If you have further questions or comments you can contact David Hayne at: hoof_n_forge@hotmail.com |
|---|
1. Why Fiske's is referred to as "100 years of
Horse Care"?
2. Is Fiske's effective in any climate?
3. How often should we use Fiske's?
4. Why does Fiske work?
5. What are the natural active ingredients found
in Fiske and what are their common uses?
6. How does Fiske's help to correct large cracks
in the hoof?
7. Why do you recommend Fiske's over other hoof
care products?
8. How does Fiske's work as a riding ring and
trail ride dressing?
9. How and where do I apply Fiske's?
10. Why are regular Farrier visits important?
11. Can Fiske help with Thrush?
12. Can Fiske's be used on other animals?
13. Can humans benefit from Fiske's?
14. Can I put Fiske's young horses?
15. My Farrier likes another product better?
16. I'm using Fiske's and the hooves are still
soft?
17. I'm using Fiske's and the hooves are still
hard?
18. My Horse was licking the Fiske Container
will it make them sick?
19. Can I put Fiske's on the skin of other animals,
even cats and dogs?
20. Will Fiske's help the underlying elastic
structures of the hoof?
21. Can Fiske's be used safely on The Coronary
Band? (where the leg meets the hoof )
22. What is the Coronary Band and why is so important
for Hoof development?
23. My horse has poor hooves, why should I use
Fiske's if I supplement my horse's diet with Methionine, Biotin and other
forms of Vitamins and Mineral?
24. Why is professional Farrier service's recommended
for hoof care maintenance over horse owners doing their own trimming and
shoeing?
25. What is the best medicine I can give my horse?
26. My horse has thin soles, can Fiske's help?
27. My horse may have ingested Fiske's Is the
product toxit if taken internally
28. Does Fiske's have any products to use on
White Line Disease? (WLD)
29.Will Fiske's work for founder?
30. How to treat hoof absesses?
Read this FAQ Section on Hoof Abscesses, between a client and David Hayne
1. Why Fiske's is referred to as "100 years of Horse Care"?The formula for Fiske's was developed by a rural veterinarian from Paradise, Nova Scotia in the late 1890's. Before his death, Dr. Simms's gave the formula to Leon Fiske who became the guardian of the recipe since the 1960s; in turn Leon passed the formula to his daughter Melanie Fiske before his death in 2004. The recipe has remained unchanged since its early development over 100 years. The product was developed to treat the topical needs of livestock, the hoof, skin disease and infections such as ring worm, galls, boils, cuts, scratches, rain rot, mud fever, utter balm and burns.
The product is a very effective hoof treatment both for preventative and restorative hoof care health as explained by David Hayne.
2. Is Fiske's effective in any climate?Environment affects everything in our horse's hooves. Regardless if you live in the coastal regions or the interior regions, the environment dictates. Dry hooves are common in winter from cold and snow and dry hooves are common in summer from hot dry weather. Little moisture content in soil creates dryness to the hoof...DRY HOOVES ARE HARD HOOVES.
During the rainy seasons of spring and fall there is more moisture in the ground and conditions tend to be wet and muddy, then wet hooves become soft. Also, in heavy due pasture grass the natural peroiple is being wasted off from the horse walking around in the grass. The beeswax in Fiske's provides an excellent protective covering to the hoof in all geographical locations.
Farrier David can explains it like drinking hot chocolate...if it's too hot we blow on it to cool it down and if our hands are cold we can blow on our hands to warm it up. FISKE kinda works like our breath being blown on the hoof.
3. How often should we use Fiske's?Hooves are affected by their environment. If ground conditions are dry hooves, become hard, if ground conditions are soft, hooves become soft...applying Fiske to hard hooves will increase the elasticity back into the hoof capsule...if hooves are too wet Fiske will reduce the water from penetrating into the sensitive lamine .
Fiske applied 2 to 3 times a week in normal conditions will aid greatly in producing a healthy hoof horn ( BUT ) proper trimming by a Professional Farrier/Trimmer will only produce a healthy hoof.
USING FISKE ON AN UNTRIMMED HOOF is not doing any horse any justice. Hooves should be trimmed and or shod on a regular bases (every 6 to 8 weeks)
The formula consists of all natural ingredients which only enriches the hoof capsule and allows the Sensitive and Elastic Structures of the hoof to maintain its normal make up. This allows the hoof to maintain its healthy construction and prevents any abnormalities of the hoof capsule from developing. Thus lameness is reduced that these abnormalities can create when the natural environment (HARD/SOFT) is compromised. The aromatic blend of essential oils is both cooling and warming oils. This unique mix is a perfect blend to draw the healing power of the blood into the area.
5. What are the natural active ingredients found in Fiske and what are their common uses?
Eucalyptus Globulu
Camphor
Wintergreen
Pine Tar
Bees WaxEucalyptus Globulus is fantastic on skin ailments (Burns, blisters, wounds, insect bites, lice, and other fungal skin infections such scratches, ring worm, rain rot, and mud fever). It's anti bacterial properties combat the effects of colds and the flu. There is also a history of Eucalyptus essential oil being applied to sore muscles and joints.
Camphor- The therapeutic properties of Camphor oil include the following: anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, diuretic, febrifuge, insecticide and stimulant. Camphor oil can be used in the treatment of nervous depression, acne, inflammation, arthritis, muscular aches and pains, sprains, rheumatism, bronchitis, coughs, colds, fever, flu and infectious diseases. It is a well-known preventive of moths and other insects, such as worms in wood; natural history cabinets are often made of it, the wood of the tree being occasionally imported to make cabinets for entomologists.
Wintergreen- Wintergreen has a history of use as a pain reliever. It is also believed to increase the speed of healing for skin disorders, and when added to lotions, acts as a natural moisturizer. is an excellent pain reliever and anti inflammatory. Its main function is to relieve the pain making the horse comfortable and relaxed. If the horse is unable to rest, relax, eat and drink, then the animal's chances of healing are more challenged. Provide comfort and the horse's natural ability to recover and return to its natural position will be enhanced. Comfort needs to always be part of treatment.
Pine Tar - Pine oil can be used for cuts and sores, scabies and lice and for excessive perspiration while its warming properties help with rheumatism, arthritis, gout, muscular aches and pains and it can stimulate circulation. It is viewed as an analgesic, antibacterial, antibiotic, antifungal, antiseptic, and as an antiviral. Aroma therapists credit its use for eczema, lice, muscular aches, neuralgia, psoriasis, rheumatism, ringworm, scrapes, and sinusitis. Its versatility is well documented.
Bees Wax- Bees wax is well known for being very rich and highly regarded natural anti biotic, supporting the over all health of the area being treated.
Fiske's benefits from beeswax in another very valuable way, it creates a breathable band aid which allows for oxygen to pass freely to the area of the animal that is being treated, but, becomes natural water repellant in the process. The water and moisture is forced to bead from the horse which helps the horse heal. Often too water and moisture creates many of our animal's problems in the first place. Today silicones are used to make products water repellent, however the wound cannot breathe and the fungus grows under the silicone rather than killing it. Water and moisture feed the fungus.6. How does Fiske's help to correct large cracks in the hoof?
Cracks can be caused by many things and it's important to address what has caused the crack in the first place before we use Fiske in an attempt to control the crack. Poor or out of balanced trim is one main reason for cracks to appear, concussion created thru a horse kicking a wall , or hard ridding can create a crack, nutrition can also be a contributor to cracks, disease such as founder or fever can create a disruption of blood flow to the hoof which also can create cracks.
Horse owners should talk with their Farrier concerning any crack and figure out the cause so proper treatment can begin.Since the hoof grows from the Coronary Band down (hair line), the only way to get rid of a crack is with new growth. Fiske will aid greatly by bringing the hoof horn back to a normal quality and the crack depending on how severe will grow out depending on how fast the horse grows a hoof.
Fiske applied to a clean hoof will penetrate into the crack cavity and /or nail holes and prevent dirt and debris from causing anymore damage. Cleanliness is a great treatment for controlling cracks.
7. Why do you recommend Fiske's over other hoof care products?
Fiske is all natural and made with the high quality ingredients. This enables the product to penetrate thru the hoof wall and elastic structures of the hoof. Unlike other products which contain Petroleum, Alcohol, Acetone and some even containing Creosol. These products are drying agents and can dry out the hoof creating an even bigger problem for the horse. Although horse owners may believe that they are doing their horse a favor it is important to read the ingredients and understand what the ingredients are doing.
( Buyer Beware )8. How does Fiske's work as a riding ring and trail ride dressing?
Fiske is like putting a glove on, it protects the hoof in the riding arena and on trail rides by preventing dust from drying out a hoof and the beeswax repels the water protecting it from creating softness to the hoof.
IMPORTANT...Horse hooves SHOULD BE picked up once a day and cleaned with a hoof pick. The owner can see if rocks or foreign material could be lodged in the solar (bottom) of the hoof. A stone embedded can create a lameness issue. Before and after every ride the feet should be cleaned and after every ride apply Fiske.
9. How and where do I apply Fiske's?With a brush apply Fiske's around the hair line, outside hoof wall, bottom of foot including the frog area and on the back heel area of the hoof. Fiske will penetrate into the nail holes and cracks preventing dirt from becoming embedded there. Fiske applied to the frog and heel area will allow the elastic structures (BACK OF HOOF) to perform in aiding the blood to pump at 100% capacity through the capillaries of the hoof.
Blood comes from the heart through ARTERIES (located in the back of the leg only), then to the capillaries and into the VENOUS PLEXUS of the hoof capsule. It then returns to the heart by way of veins. Any disruption of blood to the hoof capsule will result in an abnormality and or lameness to the hoof. Because of the blend of oils, Fiske aids in the blood circulation to and from the heart to the hoof aiding soundness by maintaining its elastic structures.
10. Why are regular Farrier visits important?
Under normal conditions a hoof grows about a quarter of an inch every month. As the hoof grows it needs the attention of a Farrier, growing faster at the toe the hoof will become out of balance and a Farrier must be called in to properly balance the hoof. If not trimmed stress can be placed on the ligaments and tendons, also a disruption of blood flow to the hoof will put undue stress on the limbs and hooves of the horse.
11. Can Fiske's help with Thrush?Thrush can be a dirty, smelly business to deal with, but luckily as long as you do not neglect it your horse will suffer no long-term problems. Of course since thrush is so easy to prevent just by keeping clean stalls and clean hooves, chances are high you'll never once be introduced to this black-hearted monster.
If thrush does manage to creep up on you and your horse, don't worry - treating it is actually fairly simple. I suggest first calling your Farrier so that he can thoroughly clean and trim your horse's hooves (particularly the frog area). This will make it far easier for your horse's hooves to aerate, plus you can apply medication more directly to the infected areas.
12. Can Fiske's be used on other animals?A hoof is a hoof is a hoof. Goats, cattle, ponies, minis are all hoofed animals and all require proper hoof care.
13. Can humans benefit from Fiske's?
Fiske's is made from 100% natural ingredients and from the highest quality therapeutic oils. Please refer to the list of natural ingredients above for there recommended use.
14. Can I put Fiske's young horses?
The younger the horse the faster the heart rate, the faster the heart rate the faster the hoof grows, applying Fiske will aid greatly in producing a beautiful healthy hoof on any aged horse.
15. My Farrier likes another product better?
Ask your Farrier to read up on the Fiske product and what other farriers and horse owners are saying then if you and your Farrier can agree the bottom line comes down to you.(YOU OWN THE HORSE )
16. I'm using Fiske's and the hooves are still soft?You can use Fiske and it will work, but if a horse is still being stabled in a dirty stall and/ or kept in a wet area Fiske will not work to its maximum. Use Fiske and check how the horse is being stabled and/or pastured.
17. I'm using Fiske's and the hooves are still hard?If bedding such as sawdust/shavings is being used it can dry out the hooves...check condition of bedding (take a handful of sawdust and play with it for awhile and feel how dry your hands get) Horses hooves are affected by their environment.
18. My Horse was licking the Fiske Container will it make them sick?The product is non toxic, but your horse is not very apt to lick the container. In fact, another use for Fiske's is that it will stop your horse from cribbing. Your horse dislikes the smell of the Pine Tar and stops his habit just by painting the area with Fiske's where your horse cribs.
19. Can I put Fiske's on the skin of other animals even dogs?
Yes. Dr. Simms's designed this product before designer products were evented. This product was developed as an all purpose product to treat an animals topical health care needs as well it was meant to provide intramuscular relieve. Today Fiske's is manufactured in a clean and sanitized environment which makes it suitable for human use as well.
Fiske's Hoof and Hide Balm is excellent for skin irritations in Cats and Dogs. Fiske's Skin and Wound Salve is not reommended for cats because there is some controversary that Tea Tree, Lavender and Menthol can be toxic for cats. When in doubt - don't.
20. Will Fiske's help the underlying elastic structures of the hoof?
The underlying elastic structures of the hoof are...
Lateral cartilages,
Plantar cushion
Coronary cushion.Their primary function is for the reduction of concussion as they act like shock absorbers. They also function as pumps and valves to assist in blood circulation. If a hoof becomes too hard or soft then these structures of the hoof are at a disadvantage in maintaining a normal blood flow to the hoof capsule and your horse is a risk of becoming lame. Applying Fiske helps to restore the elasticity in the elastic structures of the hoof.
21. Can Fiske's be used safely on The Coronary Band? (where the leg meets the hoof )
Many hoof products are too aggressive to put on the skin, and they have a tendency to blister and burn the more sensitive skin. This product was created as a holistic treatment and will not burn your horse.
This is what makes Fiske Hoof and Hide Balm different from many of the rest, it effectively treats the whole organism. Natural medicine considers the body to be one organism and believes in treating the body as a whole.
22. What is the Coronary Band and why is so important for Hoof development?
The Coronary Band is the combination of the Perioplic Corium, Coronary Corium and the Coronary Cushion....the Coronary Bands main function is for the growth and nutritional source for the development of the hoof wall. Applying Fiske to the coronary band aids in promoting a strong hoof horn by helping to balance the ph factor in the hoof.
23. My horse has poor hooves, why should I use Fiske's if I supplement my horse's diet with Methionine, Biotin and other forms of Vitamins and Mineral?
The main important fact for any horse owner to realize is that if a horse has a poor hoof horn then they should consult with a Veterinarian and/or an Equine Nutritionist before adding supplements/minerals/ etc. to their horses' diet. The most important part in having a healthy hoof horn is the (hoof�s ability to regulate moisture content within the hoof capsule). Fiske can help to aid in regulating the moisture content within the hoof capsule by protecting the hoof from the outside elements in which a hoof can dry out and/ or become too soft. Fiske treats the hoof from the outside in and nutrition treats the hoof from the inside out. They are meant to compliment each other in unity.
(Important ...overloading of feed/vitamins/minerals, etc. can cause an unhealthy hoof. Fiske Horsecare Products advises horse owners to consult with their Veterinarian or Equine Nutritionist for their professional advice before adding anything to their horses diet. )
24. Why is professional Farrier service's recommended for hoof care maintenance over horse owners doing their own trimming and shoeing?
Sense the hoof is a living organism it is always growing and changing shape and form. It is recommended to maintain proper hoof care requires the services of a professional Farrier/Trimmer on a regular 6 to 8 week schedule. Your horse can become lame or the hoof become diseased under the hands and eyes of unskilled hands. You are putting your horse at risk to suffer needless pain and sometimes irreparable damage by not providing professional Farriery services for your horse. The cost of regular Farrier/trimmer visits is the best preventive measures that any responsible horse owner can choose.
25. What is the best medicine I can give my horse?
- Pick up and clean out your horses hooves on a daily bases
- Apply Fiske as directed a couple of times a week
- Regular Farrier visits every 6-8 visits.
- Maintaining stall cleanliness
- Proper nutrition
- Regular exercise
- Good stall ventilation and clean air
- Clean and ample water supply Healthy well educated lifestyle choices that you make for your horse will prolong their life, their happiness, your enjoyment with them and save you money by helping to stave off unnecessary Veterinarian expenses.
" No Hoof, No Horse"26. My horse has thin soles, can Fiske's help? Fiske product lightly brushed on the bulb of heels , around coronary band, and on the bottom of hoof (sole) aids the hooves Elastic structures to work at their normal function and aids the hoof in growth. The Elastic Structures of the hoof is the Plantar Cushion (between the Frog and Coffin Bone...Coronary Cushion, the sensitive portion of the coronary band and the Lateral Cartilages located on the back part of the hoof (on both sides) these elastic structures main function is the reduction of concussion acting as shock absorbers and also aids the hoof in pumping blood to and from the hoof. Applying Fiske on the hoof wall allows the product to fill in hoof cracks and old and new nail holes which protects the hoof from debri and water. I explain this to you so you may better understand how a hoof works and why it is important to understand the parts inside the hoof and their functions.The elastic structures are very important to understand to promote a healthy hoof. Two main important things is to remember , the environment and the horses abilitiy to retain it's normal moisture content is very important in keeping a healthy hoof. Example...if the hoof becomes to hard the hooves elastic structures cannot perform to their natural ability and we can start seeing chips and cracks appearing on the hoof, this also applies to hooves that get too wet..Wet hooves become soft and break up also causing unsoundness issues with your horse. Too wet or too hard also affects the blood pumping to the hoof so checking your environment is the first phase that I point out to all my clients. You say that your horse is thin sole so I assume your horse has thin coat of hair....Thorobred or such type. Most thin soles are inheritied thru their genetics but we as farriers work with what we have. I am always cautious of explaining how I work on a horse that I do not work on. I would think that you and your farrier have tryed many things and just by the info you give me I would not and this is not my intention to find a flaw with your farriers work. My motto is ..it's not a matter who is right or wrong when it comes to trimming and or shoeing your horse but what is right for the horse. I have found (my opinion) that keeping full pads on a hoof can create more problems down the road...first off since you have a white line disease the main ememy of putting a full pad on is it interferes with the oxygen not getting to the hoof...which allows for bacteria / fungus to grow distroying a health sole. It also interferes with the frog and it's contact with the ground, if a sole is thin I WANT my FROG to take more weight and a full pad can not allow the frog to work at its 100 %. I assume the pad is being used for protection and not concussion because their are many types of pads we as farriers use. Concussion pads (green or gray in colour) Protection pads (white or black) leather, etc. For you as a horse owner you can read written on the pad what type you are using. Also if a full pad is used your farrier would also be using a hoof packing under the pad. Hoof packing will only stay in for about a month because it will escape thru the heel area (bulbs) of the hoof. Painting a little Fiske on the sole and using a soft corking material at the heel area can reduce bacteria and also stop dirt from getting under the pad, however it is almost impossible to stop water from penetrating thru....in which more bacteria can grow. You should talk to your vet about a product to paint on the hoof sole that may toughen it up...I use venice turpentine and or iodine if normal shoeing is failing me. The vet will tell you that a full pad can cause you more problems because of lack of oxygen and dirt and may suggest if pads are needed that a RIM PAD may work better...at least the Frog will have better contact with the ground and aid the horse in reducing concussion. If you can get the hoof and its structures working to their normal function then your thin soles may become harder and eliminate this thin sole problem. Also the type of horse shoe I always use on a thin sole horse is a WIDE WEBB shoe...with out a pad ...this gives the hooves soles more protection. Along with choosing the terrain you ride on and good stabling conditions you may eliminate the thin sole condition and about the white line disease the vets have a product that will aid your horse.....one product I have found is a product used for MASTITIS in milk cows...however the name slips my mind but I am sure your farrier has heard of this..we most fight the bacteria and or fungus before we can help the thin sole. Flared Foot has an outward distortion of the hoof wall. It also can be Lateral (outside) and or Medial (inside) also flares can be seen at the toe. You are right to say the flares may be caused by the white line disease but without seeing the hoof I am only guessing (something I restrict myself in doing) because there can be other factors involved with your horse. Flares are caused
by (unequal weight bearing) on the wall due to neglect or upper limb deviation. Flares should be removed and compensated for at shoeing and or trimming time. White line disease can be a nightmare for your farrier and not sure how much damage there is to the hoof wall but using a wide web shoe and applying a product to the sole may help your horse alot.Also the more excercise your horse gets the faster the blood pumps thru the Venus Plexus of the hoof and good nutrition is a main factor in growing a health hoof. Fiske will not cure thin soles but it will help the hoof in aiding in helping the elastic structures to perform in what they are designed to do..the concerns about rasp clogging.....a brass wire brush soon takes care of that problem but I would suggest to you before your farrier arrives that you could soak your hooves in ebsom salt and warm water and this will clean of dirt, debri and FISKE of the soles and wall
of the hoof. I work on a number of thin sole hooves and I have found that the wide web shoe works excellent....if I need a concussion pad then I go to a rim pad which as I said allows the FROG to work and the FROG can also protect the soles of the hoof by taking more of the weight of the horse. I hope this bit of information helps your horse and PLEASE feel free to give this letter to your VET and FARRIER ......and I would answer any question they may have. Feel free to write me anytime - David Hayne27. My horse may have ingested Fiske's, is the product toxic if taken internally? Fiske's is 100 % natural, and the percentage of essential oils against the largest property base oil of Canola is very low. If your horse ingested very much product the oil could act as a laxative. The percentages of essential oils used should not be toxic. Your vet is always the best reference for this information and I will forward a copy of the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for their information.
Result: Thanks so much for your prompt reply last night- I'm happy to report that there is no need for the product composition. I checked Rilla last night before bed and her manure was back to normal and all appears well this morning. Horses!!!!Regards,D. Sloan
28. Does Fiske's have any products to use on White Line Disease? (WLD)
"White Line Disease " and " seedy toe" are different names for the same condition. White line disease is a better term because seedy toe implies that the condition occurs only at the toe, which is not the case. The basic problem is that separation between the hoof wall and sole at the white line of the hoof. The separation can occur anywhere on the bottom of the hoof from heel to toe. At first lameness may not occur but if the sensitive structures of the hoof become infected and or dirt packs in the hole then lameness may result. There are several factors that can contribute to or cause WLD...hoof wall conformation that causes flares of the wall, irregular shoeing or trimming intervals in which causes the foot to grow long and start to flare, imbalance of hoof moisture, such as environmental conditions that are too wet or too dry, hoof disease such as laminitis where we see separation at the toe, hoof wall abscess which leaves a tract up the inside of the wall, also direct trauma to the hoof wall can cause WLD. Some farriery publications attribute white line disease to Fungal infection a condition which is called, "onychomycosis"" meaning "fungal infection of the nail". Important note...unlike humans and dogs horses do not have a nail bed since the hoof grows from the coronary band NOT the white line. So if we where to get the fungus and or bacteria analyzed, what we find in the hole may not be the organisms that caused the WLD. The good thing about WLD is that it is not contagious from horse to horse or from horse to humans. The studies in which I read have found that the organisms that invade the separated area are normally found in the horse's environment. In using " Fiske", to treat WLD we most remember that we are dealing with a fungus and cleaning out the hole and at times dipping a cotton ball into Fiske and putting in the hole has helped in many occasions. However if severe cases of WLD seeing lameness a Professional Farrier with experience in hoof wall , " Resection " will be needed. Removal of the hoof wall with the infected area will need to be removed so the air can get at the infected area. This is not painful because we are dealing with the insensitive structure of the hoof wall. The Farrier may also recommend shoeing the hoof to give support to the remaining hoof wall. Also it is very important that in extreme cases a Veterinarian may be called in to confirm WLD and your Vet and Farrier can work together in helping any horse who is troubled with this condition. The veterinarian or Farrier may recommend topical antifungal medications or disinfectants. In my Farrier practice I use Fiske as a preventative application and with holes in the hoof wall have used cotton balls soaked with Fiske and have had great results. Yet there where a couple of cases where hoof wall removal was the best approach in clearing up white line disease.29.Will Fiske's work for founder?
When I hear the word founder this means a drop or sinking of the coffin bone inside the hoof capsule...at times laminitis is also used which is an inflammation of the lamina. If the horse has been x rayed this would show a rotation or sinking of the coffin bone and diagnosed by a Vet.
With any hoof problem the most important thing we most remember concerning a health hoof is the Hoofs ability to regulate it's natural moisture content. If the hoof is too dry or wet then problems can occur and Fiske applied can help restore moisture back into the hoof in allowing the elastic structures to work at their normal state.With out sounding complicated if a hoof is injured and or laminitis/foundered then the blood flow is restricted to the hoof capsule creating abnormal hoof growth. In most cases we see more growth at the toe area and in extreme cases Abscesses may appear. Fiske's is a good aid for any cavities in the hoof and will help fight bacteria or fungus infection. When working on a foundered case we farriers may leave more heel and try to get as much toe of the hoof as possible...a higher angle will quicken the horses break over and relieve pressure in the toe area. The coffin bone must remain stable and to give support we may use a heart bar shoe. Talk with your Farrier and ask them about the Myron Maclane eggbar/heartbar pad...I have used them on many cases of founder with much success.
If the owner prefers to go bare foot then a hoof boot and or soft clean environment may work....BUT it is important to give the coffin bone support ( NOT PRESSURE ) if we put pressure on the hoof bone then the horse will suffer much pain. A horse does not have muscles from the hock joint and or knee joint down. If the coffin bone becomes separated from the inside of the hoof capsule the deep flexor tendon and the main extensor tendon will be sort of having a tug of war with the hoof bone so stability is very important for the hoof bone.
Most horses will founder in front feet only with very few cases foundering in all 4 hooves.
Main question to know is what the horse foundered from...concussion, fever, sudden change in diet, etc; we most prevent the horse from having another case of founder.
Once again if the horse has been seen by a vet then the vet and the Farrier can work towards helping the horse. Fiske applied on the bottom of the hoof, bulbs and hoof wall can help retain the moisture to the hoof BUT FISKE WILL NOT CURE FOUNDER but is a great way to help regulate the moisture in the hoof and its sensitive/elastic structures.
If I was going out to treat a horse with founder I would use the Myron Mclane pads and keep a clean environment for the horse to live in. Abscesses is almost always something I deal with in foundered cases...if an abscesses appears the owners may think the coffin bone has rotated because the horse can hardly put weight on the abscess hoof.
30. How to Treat Hoof Absesses
Absess, gravel, or pus pocket is an infection of the sensitive tissues of the hoof. Most Common in the sensitive sole next to the white line. Often a drainage hole or puncture entry hole can be seen after sole paring, appearing like a black spot next to the white line. Abscesses will follow the path of least resistance and migrate thru the soft tissue and may break out and drain from the coronary band. Once drained the horse lameness usually subsides.
What is causing your mare to have reoccurring abscesses, NOTE ..(has your Vet and or farrier found sides of laminitis and or founder in the past), laminitis is not the end of the world to your horse but with damaged lamina and disruption of blood flow to the hoof capsule abscesses can haunt us farriers as we try to keep the horse comfortable.
Ground conditions can cause puncture wounds and or bruising which can lead to abscesses. Perhaps a poor explanation but if you dropped an apple on the floor and placed it on the table, the next day you would see a soft spot on the apple. If a hoof steps on a stone and or something hard enough to create a bruise then this also can create abscesses..
Ground conditions can also create an abscesses problem. Wet ground will create soft hooves and I have seen dirt getting in to the hoof by way of the white line. The wall expands when wet causing the lamina to separate from the sole allowing bacteria to form. When a bruise happens the veins are damaged and bacteria starts to form in the hoof wall and or sole which creates a GAS POCKET, the abscesses grows and when the nerves are affected by this your horse becomes sore and or lame.
Affected horses should have current tetanus immunization an affected areas most be drained which I am sure your vet and farrier are looking after.
If abscesses are reoccurring then what is the problem, as an abscesses forms it may migrate for a time before horse becomes lame. As your farrier may find a pus pocket and feel the abscesses is cleared up there is a good chance that may not be the case , which I have found in a number of horses I work on.
Have your farrier clean up around the bars and white line and feel for softness of the sole by THUMB pressure, if the sole gives to pressure you may have a horse with thin soles and this problem you already addressed by shoeing her. Shoes will protect the sole if thin and or damaged and the horse will be able to walk more comfortable which stimulates blood flow to the hoof capsule.
In a case where I had four hooves affected on a thorobred I had know choose but to place shoes on the FRONT hooves and full pads. I coated the sole with Fiske and also used pine tar and oakum. I always use a hoof packing under pads to prevent dirt and or mud from getting between the pad and sole.
Most abscesses can migrate around the white line of the whole hoof and as trimming and or shoeing intervals progress we start seeing the damage from the first abscess that created the lameness. Most abscesses I have come across are more solar then coronary band blow outs.
I'm sure most of what I wrote here you already know from talking to your vet and farrier. You tell me your horse is quarter horse / app, but not the weight and or hoof size. I have experience with small hooves on a big heavy quarter horse which contributed to lameness issues. Sole abscess can take from 2 to 4 weeks for a horse to walk comfortable and if the abscess is in the frog area you could be looking at 4 to 6 weeks.
Also other problems that can create abbesses are Canker , yeast infection, white line disease and corns just to name a few. HAVE i ever had to see a horse put down from abscesses alone ..NO.
It sounds like your on the right track, when your mare is to be reset again, your farrier will clean up any old dermis and check to see how the sole is growing. Soak with ebsom salts and coat with FISKE and then Foresters Pine tar and oakum and then replace the shoe and pad. If you prefer to go barefoot then that call will have to come from your horse, if the soles are thin and more prone to bruising your horse may require shoes until you clear up the abscess issue.
Fiske will prevent bacteria from growing under the pad and aid in the healing process to your family member, just go to FISKE site and read the ingredients for your answers.
Reoccurring abscess can be a head ache to owner and your Farrier, sometimes we feel so helpless at times but as long as you, your Vet and farrier work together, I always keep the faith.
NOTE...Readers are cautioned to seek the advice of a qualified veterinarian before proceeding with any diagnosis, treatment, or therapy.
~Farrier David Hayne
