Chronic Laminitis in a Horse - Treatment with Use of Horseshoe with Horizontal Cross and Epoxy Putty
Authors: L. Strugava, Jéssica do Rocio Janiszewski, A. Gomes, A. D. Lorga, Fábio Wacheski, I. Deconto, J. Moreno, P. Dornbusch
Journal: Acta Scientiae Veterinariae
Summary
# Editorial Summary A 4-year-old Criollo competition horse with severe chronic laminitis affecting all four limbs—characterised by grade V lameness, phalangeal rotation, and sole perforation—failed to respond to initial field treatment with heart-shaped shoes over two months, prompting referral to a veterinary teaching hospital for more aggressive intervention. Treatment combined corrective trimming (heel lowering and dorsal wall reduction to realign the distal phalanx) with a novel orthopedic shoeing approach: a standard horseshoe modified with a horizontal crossbar in the central region, with the sole cavity filled using quick-drying epoxy putty (Poxilina®) to restrict sole movement and block phalangeal rotation. Within five days of the corrective trimming and shoeing protocol, the horse demonstrated marked clinical improvement and eventually returned to normal daily activity without lameness or laminitis signs, demonstrating that even end-stage cases with sole perforation can achieve functional recovery. This case highlights the importance of timely farrier-veterinary collaboration, adherence to 30–45 day trimming and shoeing intervals, and consideration of less commonly reported shoeing modifications that redistribute load away from the damaged lamellar zone—offering a cost-effective alternative to some conventional laminitis treatments. For practitioners managing chronic laminitis, the principle of creating a weight-bearing surface beneath the central sole rather than at the bearing edge, combined with mechanical restraint of phalangeal movement, warrants inclusion in the therapeutic toolkit, particularly when conventional approaches have stalled recovery.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Consider horizontal-bar shoes with epoxy sole filling as a lower-cost alternative for chronic laminitis management, particularly when conventional heart-shaped shoes fail
- •Aggressive corrective trimming (removing heels, lowering dorsal wall, realigning distal phalanx) combined with appropriate shoeing can yield rapid clinical improvement even in severe cases with sole perforation
- •Maintain strict 30-45 day trimming and shoeing intervals to ensure long-term success and return to athletic function in laminitis cases
Key Findings
- •A 4-year-old horse with chronic laminitis affecting all four limbs and sole perforation showed progressive clinical improvement within 5 days of corrective trimming and application of a horizontal-bar horseshoe with epoxy putty
- •The horse achieved grade V lameness resolution and returned to normal daily activities without pain signs or laminitis recurrence following treatment
- •The horizontal-bar horseshoe redistributed weight-bearing to the central sole near the frog tip, reducing pressure on the affected lamellar region and preventing phalanx rotation