Page 273 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

• relieves the pain caused by stretching and tearing of the laminae in the dorsal part of the

hoof
VetBooks.ir • allows the new horn to grow parallel to the front of the pedal bone.

Figure 6.52 Dorsal wall resection

Cutting the deep digital flexor tendon This procedure may be used where the position of
the pedal bone is unstable and continues to rotate and penetrate the sole due to the pull of the
deep digital flexor tendon. With longstanding rotation, the deep digital flexor tendon shortens

and prevents the repositioning of the pedal bone. These animals tend to walk on their toes.
Surgical cutting of the tendon together with corrective trimming and shoeing permits

realignment of the pedal bone and the procedure usually eases the animal’s pain. This
operation changes the alignment of the coffin joint and causes hyperextension of the digit and

so horses must be shod with extensions at the back of the shoes and raised heels for a period
of approximately 3 months to reduce the strain on the joint and the superficial digital flexor

tendon. This should be regarded as a salvage procedure as very few horses return to their
previous work.

Abscesses commonly form in the feet of acutely foundered horses, causing the horse to be

very lame. These should be encouraged to burst through the coronary band by tubbing