Page 287 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse
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Figure 6.56 b) Heart bar shoe
Elevating the heels may reduce the pressure of the DDFT on the back of the navicular
bone and make the horse more comfortable. This is usually done if the hoof-pastern axis
remains broken back after trimming or the horse still lands on its toe. It is achieved by the
use of wedge pads, a wedge heel shoe or an Equine Digital Support System (EDSS) shoe.
A small number of horses have increased pain following remedial farriery. A proportion
of these horses may improve if left barefoot with protective hoof boots to reduce foot
soreness.
EXERCISE
The horse should be kept in regular, daily work and turned out as much as possible. Exercise
is necessary for the normal flow of blood through the foot. If the horse is lame on a circle, it
should be hacked out in straight lines to start with. Acutely lame horses however, will benefit
from rest.
NON-STEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS
