Page 221 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse
P. 221
Following these emergency treatments, the sole is protected by bandaging. Once the wound
begins to heal, a special shoe with a removable metal plate, known as a hospital plate (Figure
VetBooks.ir 6.21), can be used to protect the sole.
Figure 6.21 A hospital plate is used to protect the sole
Prognosis
The prognosis depends on which structures are damaged and how quickly the horse is given
the necessary treatment. Deep punctures that do not damage vital structures carry a good
prognosis. Deep penetrations in the frog region have a guarded prognosis.
POOR HORN QUALITY
In some horses the hoof wall and sole is relatively thin and the growth rate is unusually slow.
Despite regular trimming and shoeing, the walls tend to crack and so securing a shoe
becomes increasingly difficult. The nails are then driven too close to cracks and previous nail
holes, further weakening the wall.
