Page 272 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

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Figure 6.51 Vertical grooving of the hoof wall

HORIZONTAL GROOVING OF THE HOOF WALL

In some severe cases of laminitis the lifting of the dorsal hoof wall can cause sufficient

pressure to disrupt normal horn growth and cause a bulge in the coronary band at the toe.
This may be alleviated with a horizontal groove to remove the pressure and allow the new

horn to grow down normally.
Dorsal wall drilling Where there is a build up of serum or blood from damaged vessels

beneath the front of the hoof wall, the pressure can cause severe pain. Drilling a hole through
the anterior hoof wall to release the fluid and relieve the pressure can give the horse

considerable relief. This is sometimes used for acute founder and sinker cases.

Dorsal wall resection Sometimes a section of the front of the hoof wall is removed when it
has separated from the pedal bone (Figure 6.52).This procedure:

• allows inflammatory exudate to escape, relieving pressure and pain on the laminae

• allows removal of dead tissue and drainage of any infected pockets of tissue