 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| Please visit us on and check out the fantastic photo albums. |
It is wise to treat and shoe the laminitic and foundered horse with the principles,
techniques and tools that will provide the highest chance of success. These principles
and techniques should be based on the understanding of the foot's biomechanics and
circulatory system.
Unfortunately, out-dated treatment and unconventional or unorthodox shoeing techniques,
which go against the above, are still being applied. Many of these treatments actually
worsen the founder condition and confronting these techniques can be frustrating for the
educated professional.
Some equine professionals will tend to look at each laminitic and foundered horse
individually, using different treatments, trimming and shoeing techniques. Dr. Buff has
seen much higher success rates by developing a more defined approach that works in a
majority of laminitic and foundered horses; then, as needed, adapted to fit each individual
horse.
So What is Laminitis and Founder?
Laminitis is a reduction of blood flow to the laminae secondary to inflammation. If the
blood supply is interrupted for only a short time, little to no permanent damage results.
The more severe and longer the reduction in blood supply, the greater the chances of
irreversible damage. Once the reduction of blood supply caused failure in the laminae
between the distal phalanx (coffin bone) and hoof capsule, the animal is considered
foundered.
Founder is a complicated systemic disease resulting from a triggering insult. In order to
provide the highest chances of success, the horse is best served through the
collaboration of a qualified veterinarian and farrier.
The veterinarian's role is to diagnosis the insult, if at all possible,and provide treatment
for the triggering insult and any systemic problems. They will also provide correctly taken
radiographs for the prognosis, treatment and monitoring of the horse.
The farrier's role is to provide mechanical and bone column support. This is done by
utilizing the most successful treatment approach, the positive pressure, rigid steel heart
bar shoe.
Laminitis and founder is a complex disease with significant animal, human and
economic impacts. The cases are often clinically challenging to manage. The most
significant consequence of found is that it remains a potentially crippling performance
limiting, life threatening disease. Over the years, many people have proposed many
devices and methods that they claim are cure-alls. No one device or method works 100%
of the time,but some work with a higher percentage than others. Such a method does not
compromise the blood supply to the already damaged laminae of the foot. The heart bar
shoe fits this protocol.
The goal of shoeing is to counteract the downward movement of the distal phalanx (coffin
bone). This can be done most effectively through the use of heart bar shoes. Heart bar
shoes should be applied as soon as possible to help stabilize the bone column. The
stabilizing effect of support via the controlled pressure on the frog, helps arrest the founder
damage. In nearly all cases, nailing on a correctly placed heart bar shoe onto horse in
any stage of laminitis and founder will provide immediate relief.
Use of Pain medication
Routine use of medications such as bute (phenylbutazone) or banamine to relieve pain is
controversial and not recommended. Pain medication does not stop laminitis; it only
masks the symptoms. While pain causes stress to both the horse and the owner, it is
important to acknowledge that pain has an important function. It prevents a horse with
laminitis from moving around too much during a period when its feet are in jeopardy,
causing more rotation of the coffin bone. The best position for a horse with laminitis is
lying down. Removing pain medication may be the best thing to encourage your horse to
lay down.
Dr. Esco Buff is a recognized leader in the field of laminitis and founder farrier treatment
and is routinely consulted for horse's that are laminitic or foundered. He typically shoes
between 90 to 140 new foundered horse cases per year.
In a twelve year period (1991 to 2003), Dr. Buff has documented and shod over 625
new-foundered cases with a 98% survival rate. Of these 82% returned to their original
state of soundness, 16% were unable to return to their original state of soundness and
2% were euthanized. Dr Buff has written several articles and books on the subject of
laminitis and founder. His current book, Founder - How to Take, Read and Interpret
Radiographs for the Prognosis and Treatment of the Foundered Horse is "a clear,
concise and easy to use set of directions" (Rachel Shuster, DVM, New Jersey) that
provides "the veterinarian and farrier with a specific methodology fore determining the
severity of the founder, and more importantly, a methodology for determining progress"
(Bob Smith, CF, Owner of Pacific Coast Horseshoeing School, California).
"New information about the etiologies and pathogenesis of laminitis and founder emerge
over time. Over time, numerous new preventative measure and treatment have also
appeared. It is commonly felt that the more treatments there are for a disease process,
the lower the probability of one treatment being more successful than another. This
statement is quite applicable to laminitis and founder. However, after being amazed at the
various laminitis and foundered cases successfully treated with the application of correctly
placed heart bar shoes, I now believe that it is crucial to involve an experienced farrier at
the onset of such cases. I'm convinced of the higher probability of success when using
properly placed heart bar shoes in pre-acute, acute and chronic cases, along with
identifying and treating any underlying causes" (Jennifer A. Reetz, DVM, DACVIM).
Here are some other comments by veterinarians, farriers and horse owners.
"Esco is the man who saved my horse from being put down due to founder. Heart bar
shoes allowed my horse to be become sound again." Clare Eisler, PA., ceisler@juno.com
"Ten years ago my horse foundered. Esco fitted my horse with heart bar shoes and for the
first time in months my horse could walk without pain. Two months later we were riding
once again." Jeanne Phillips, NY, jphillips@phillipsllc.com
"It is my opinion that Dr. Esco Buff has real solutions to a complex problem." The late,
King A Lamadora (farrier), Daly City, CA.
"When my horse foundered, Esco spent an extraordinary amount of time with me,
explaining exactly what was happening and what he was going to do. After the application
of a correctly placed heart bar shoe, my horse was sound within a few days and now you
would never know he ever foundered." Doreen Kula, NY, aa_scout1@yahoo.com
"It is unbelievable - the difference the heart bars make. I know, from personal experience
with my horse. The shoes took her from eyes filled with pain to relief and joy. I can never
thank you enough!" Glenda Burross, PA, glburross@dejazzd.com
"I've seen foundered horses treated with styrofoam, Stewart Clogs, sand stalls, deep
bedding, anti-inflammatory meds., pain meds., and treated with nothing. A rigid steel
heart bar shoe, correctly placed using properly taken radiographs, is the only
way to ensure that founder is arrested and reversed." Chris Richardson (farrier), NY,
qualityhoofcare@gmail.com
""If anyone has any doubt about the heartbar shoe, my horse's experience with sinkers on
booth front feet with the coffin bone penetrating the soles, will convince them how amazing
they work in the recovery of my horse." Heidi Wheaton, PA, heidiwheaton.com
"The goal is a successful return to the horse's state of useful soundness and comfort.
The heart bar shoe has been proven to have the greatest success." Lidia Ivanovna
Sawortotnow (farrier), CA.
Recommended Resource Guide
Founder Data Collection and Analysis - How to Take, Read and Interpret Radiographs for
the Prognosis and Treatment of the Foundered Horse
by Esco Buff, PhD, CF, Morris Publishing, Kearney, NE, 2005.
Laminitis and Founder - Prevention and Treatment for the Greatest Chance of Success
by Doug Butler, PhD, CJF, FWCF and Frank Gravlee, DVM, MS, CNS, Life Data Labs, Inc,
Cherokee, AL, 2007.
Equine Laminitis
by Christopher C Pollitt, BVSc, PhD, RIRDC Publications, Barton, Australia, 2001.
Factors Involved in the Prognosis of Equine Laminitis in the UK
by RA Eustace, BVSc, Cert EO, Cert EP, FRCVS and PJ Cripps, BVSc, Bsc, Msc, PhD,
MRCVS, Equine Veterinary Journal, 31.5, 1999.
Radiological Measurements From the Feet of Normal Horses, With Relevance to Laminitis
by PJ Cripps, BVSc, Bsc, Msc, PhD, MRCVS and RA Eustace, BVSc, Cert EO, Cert EP,
FRCVS, Equine Veterinary Journal, 31.5, 1999.
Explaining Laminitis and its Prevention
by Robert A Eustace, BVSc, Cert EO, Cert EP, FRCVS, JW Arrowsmith Ltd, Bristol, Great
Britain, 1992.
Founder Data Collection and Analysis Form
by Esco Buff, PhD, CF, Webster, NY, 1990.
Proceeding of the 13th Annual AAEP Convention,
Burnery Chapman, CJF and George Platt, DVM, Dallas, TX, 1984.
techniques and tools that will provide the highest chance of success. These principles
and techniques should be based on the understanding of the foot's biomechanics and
circulatory system.
Unfortunately, out-dated treatment and unconventional or unorthodox shoeing techniques,
which go against the above, are still being applied. Many of these treatments actually
worsen the founder condition and confronting these techniques can be frustrating for the
educated professional.
Some equine professionals will tend to look at each laminitic and foundered horse
individually, using different treatments, trimming and shoeing techniques. Dr. Buff has
seen much higher success rates by developing a more defined approach that works in a
majority of laminitic and foundered horses; then, as needed, adapted to fit each individual
horse.
So What is Laminitis and Founder?
Laminitis is a reduction of blood flow to the laminae secondary to inflammation. If the
blood supply is interrupted for only a short time, little to no permanent damage results.
The more severe and longer the reduction in blood supply, the greater the chances of
irreversible damage. Once the reduction of blood supply caused failure in the laminae
between the distal phalanx (coffin bone) and hoof capsule, the animal is considered
foundered.
Founder is a complicated systemic disease resulting from a triggering insult. In order to
provide the highest chances of success, the horse is best served through the
collaboration of a qualified veterinarian and farrier.
The veterinarian's role is to diagnosis the insult, if at all possible,and provide treatment
for the triggering insult and any systemic problems. They will also provide correctly taken
radiographs for the prognosis, treatment and monitoring of the horse.
The farrier's role is to provide mechanical and bone column support. This is done by
utilizing the most successful treatment approach, the positive pressure, rigid steel heart
bar shoe.
Laminitis and founder is a complex disease with significant animal, human and
economic impacts. The cases are often clinically challenging to manage. The most
significant consequence of found is that it remains a potentially crippling performance
limiting, life threatening disease. Over the years, many people have proposed many
devices and methods that they claim are cure-alls. No one device or method works 100%
of the time,but some work with a higher percentage than others. Such a method does not
compromise the blood supply to the already damaged laminae of the foot. The heart bar
shoe fits this protocol.
The goal of shoeing is to counteract the downward movement of the distal phalanx (coffin
bone). This can be done most effectively through the use of heart bar shoes. Heart bar
shoes should be applied as soon as possible to help stabilize the bone column. The
stabilizing effect of support via the controlled pressure on the frog, helps arrest the founder
damage. In nearly all cases, nailing on a correctly placed heart bar shoe onto horse in
any stage of laminitis and founder will provide immediate relief.
Use of Pain medication
Routine use of medications such as bute (phenylbutazone) or banamine to relieve pain is
controversial and not recommended. Pain medication does not stop laminitis; it only
masks the symptoms. While pain causes stress to both the horse and the owner, it is
important to acknowledge that pain has an important function. It prevents a horse with
laminitis from moving around too much during a period when its feet are in jeopardy,
causing more rotation of the coffin bone. The best position for a horse with laminitis is
lying down. Removing pain medication may be the best thing to encourage your horse to
lay down.
Dr. Esco Buff is a recognized leader in the field of laminitis and founder farrier treatment
and is routinely consulted for horse's that are laminitic or foundered. He typically shoes
between 90 to 140 new foundered horse cases per year.
In a twelve year period (1991 to 2003), Dr. Buff has documented and shod over 625
new-foundered cases with a 98% survival rate. Of these 82% returned to their original
state of soundness, 16% were unable to return to their original state of soundness and
2% were euthanized. Dr Buff has written several articles and books on the subject of
laminitis and founder. His current book, Founder - How to Take, Read and Interpret
Radiographs for the Prognosis and Treatment of the Foundered Horse is "a clear,
concise and easy to use set of directions" (Rachel Shuster, DVM, New Jersey) that
provides "the veterinarian and farrier with a specific methodology fore determining the
severity of the founder, and more importantly, a methodology for determining progress"
(Bob Smith, CF, Owner of Pacific Coast Horseshoeing School, California).
"New information about the etiologies and pathogenesis of laminitis and founder emerge
over time. Over time, numerous new preventative measure and treatment have also
appeared. It is commonly felt that the more treatments there are for a disease process,
the lower the probability of one treatment being more successful than another. This
statement is quite applicable to laminitis and founder. However, after being amazed at the
various laminitis and foundered cases successfully treated with the application of correctly
placed heart bar shoes, I now believe that it is crucial to involve an experienced farrier at
the onset of such cases. I'm convinced of the higher probability of success when using
properly placed heart bar shoes in pre-acute, acute and chronic cases, along with
identifying and treating any underlying causes" (Jennifer A. Reetz, DVM, DACVIM).
Here are some other comments by veterinarians, farriers and horse owners.
"Esco is the man who saved my horse from being put down due to founder. Heart bar
shoes allowed my horse to be become sound again." Clare Eisler, PA., ceisler@juno.com
"Ten years ago my horse foundered. Esco fitted my horse with heart bar shoes and for the
first time in months my horse could walk without pain. Two months later we were riding
once again." Jeanne Phillips, NY, jphillips@phillipsllc.com
"It is my opinion that Dr. Esco Buff has real solutions to a complex problem." The late,
King A Lamadora (farrier), Daly City, CA.
"When my horse foundered, Esco spent an extraordinary amount of time with me,
explaining exactly what was happening and what he was going to do. After the application
of a correctly placed heart bar shoe, my horse was sound within a few days and now you
would never know he ever foundered." Doreen Kula, NY, aa_scout1@yahoo.com
"It is unbelievable - the difference the heart bars make. I know, from personal experience
with my horse. The shoes took her from eyes filled with pain to relief and joy. I can never
thank you enough!" Glenda Burross, PA, glburross@dejazzd.com
"I've seen foundered horses treated with styrofoam, Stewart Clogs, sand stalls, deep
bedding, anti-inflammatory meds., pain meds., and treated with nothing. A rigid steel
heart bar shoe, correctly placed using properly taken radiographs, is the only
way to ensure that founder is arrested and reversed." Chris Richardson (farrier), NY,
qualityhoofcare@gmail.com
""If anyone has any doubt about the heartbar shoe, my horse's experience with sinkers on
booth front feet with the coffin bone penetrating the soles, will convince them how amazing
they work in the recovery of my horse." Heidi Wheaton, PA, heidiwheaton.com
"The goal is a successful return to the horse's state of useful soundness and comfort.
The heart bar shoe has been proven to have the greatest success." Lidia Ivanovna
Sawortotnow (farrier), CA.
Recommended Resource Guide
Founder Data Collection and Analysis - How to Take, Read and Interpret Radiographs for
the Prognosis and Treatment of the Foundered Horse
by Esco Buff, PhD, CF, Morris Publishing, Kearney, NE, 2005.
Laminitis and Founder - Prevention and Treatment for the Greatest Chance of Success
by Doug Butler, PhD, CJF, FWCF and Frank Gravlee, DVM, MS, CNS, Life Data Labs, Inc,
Cherokee, AL, 2007.
Equine Laminitis
by Christopher C Pollitt, BVSc, PhD, RIRDC Publications, Barton, Australia, 2001.
Factors Involved in the Prognosis of Equine Laminitis in the UK
by RA Eustace, BVSc, Cert EO, Cert EP, FRCVS and PJ Cripps, BVSc, Bsc, Msc, PhD,
MRCVS, Equine Veterinary Journal, 31.5, 1999.
Radiological Measurements From the Feet of Normal Horses, With Relevance to Laminitis
by PJ Cripps, BVSc, Bsc, Msc, PhD, MRCVS and RA Eustace, BVSc, Cert EO, Cert EP,
FRCVS, Equine Veterinary Journal, 31.5, 1999.
Explaining Laminitis and its Prevention
by Robert A Eustace, BVSc, Cert EO, Cert EP, FRCVS, JW Arrowsmith Ltd, Bristol, Great
Britain, 1992.
Founder Data Collection and Analysis Form
by Esco Buff, PhD, CF, Webster, NY, 1990.
Proceeding of the 13th Annual AAEP Convention,
Burnery Chapman, CJF and George Platt, DVM, Dallas, TX, 1984.
| Dr. Esco Buff's Farrier and Founder Service |
| Laminitis and Founder Treatment |
