Page 263 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

If a hormonal condition, e.g. EMS or PPID is suspected, the animal should be tested and

treated if the disease is confirmed.
VetBooks.ir 3 TO RELIEVE THE PAIN AND PROVIDE EMERGENCY FIRST AID TO

HELP STABILIZE THE PEDAL BONE WITHIN THE HOOF CAPSULE AND

RESTORE THE BLOOD SUPPLY TO THE FOOT
The horse or pony should be managed in the following way.

• Confined to a stable with a thick, non-edible bed of wood shavings, sand or peat (45 cm

[18 in] thick); these materials conform to the shape of the foot and provide some support
and comfort. A comfortable bed encourages the animal to lie down more and this reduces
the mechanical strain on the laminae.

• Given non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as flunixin or phenylbutazone to

reduce the pain and inflammation. Flunixin and phenylbutazone may be used together in
lower doses during the early stages of laminitis; phenylbutazone is considered to be the

most effective analgesic while flunixin has anti-endotoxic effects. The dose should be
kept to the minimum necessary to control the pain in order to avoid side effects such as

gastric ulceration; this is especially important in ponies and older horses. If these drugs
do not provide sufficient analgesia, more sophisticated drug combinations can be
delivered by an infusion pump.

• Fitted with frog supports. As a temporary, emergency measure, the frog may be

supported with a roll of bandage, pieces of carpet cut to the shape of the frog or a
commercially available frog support pad bandaged in place. If the horse is found in the
field, these should be fitted before asking the horse to walk very far; the best solution is

to apply frog supports and box the horse if any distance is involved.

How to fit a frog support

• Pick out the feet and remove any residual debris with a soft brush. Examine each foot

carefully. If the frog is level with the weight-bearing surface of the hoof wall or shoe,
there is no need to fit a support. Keep the horse on a deep bed of shavings.

• If the frog is not level with the weight-bearing surface, use a commercially available frog

support or place a roll of bandage over the frog so that it ends 1 cm ( in) short of the
point of the frog (Figure 6.47). When the bandage is compressed firmly, it should be
level with the wall of the hoof or the ground surface of the shoe, if the horse is shod. If

the frog support is too thick it will put pressure on the frog and increase the horse’s
discomfort.