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For an enlarged view, just click on the respective picture.
Valentina – German Riding Pony
Case history:
• Frog canker since 1997, starting at the left fore hoof
• Shortly afterwards, all four hooves became affected
• Subsequent years before hoof orthopaedic treatment featured in short:
Treatment by five different veterinarians,
two alternative practitioners
three hoof treaters.
The person in charge of the treatment was changed whenever the hoped-for success could not be achieved.
Various means and methods were applied:
„Cancer-Ex“
Ointments containing formaldehyde
Various antibiotics
Compression bandages – daily renewal, partly up to twelve weeks‘ duration
Application of hydrogen peroxide
Several homeopathic „allround cures“
Feeding of biotin over an extended period
More or (alas!) less meticulous peeling of the affected areas
Application of various (or rather: all commonly available) preparations against thrush
Deep biopsies for germ analysis
Several blood tests for metabolism analysis
Hoof treatment in six-weekly periods
Results:
During these years, the canker seemingly started to heal up in October and November – only seemingly, because it recurred in spring all the stronger. This rhythm stretched over a period of five years – five years full of hope and fear, full of intense efforts for healing, necessitating the investment of much time and money, and bringing about much despair over the regularly recurring affliction, not to mention the greatly diminished quality of life of Valentina and her owner. Healing would not come about, because in spite of all efforts the primary cause of the ailment had not been eliminated.
The following photo documentation demonstrates the connection between contracted or narrow hooves and the possible development of hoof canker (frog canker).
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Valentina (left fore) – Dec. 1999
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The photo shows the condition of the hoof, already in its second year of canker
In the photo the hypertrophic tissue has been peeled off the corium by the vet. Prior to that, the hooves had already been bandaged (renewed daily) for eight weeks. Following the advice of the vet, the iron horseshoes had been removed eight weeks ago in order to put more pressure upon the coria – certainly a sensible thing to do during definite pathological periods of canker, as long as this is coupled with fighting the primal cause of the ailment.
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As can be seen, despite all efforts the corium is inflamed and swollen. It is therefore no longer able to produce normal frog horn. Thus frog or hoof canker is actually the consequence of an inflammation of the corium.
During this time the hooves were trimmed during six-weekly periods by a farrier. Not once in all those years did any of the treating persons mention or criticize the bad shape of the hooves.
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Valentina (left fore) – Oct. 2002
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The horse is still suffering from canker, all four hooves are affected
At a first glance and compared to what can often be seen, these hooves appear relatively inconspicuous. At closer inspection, however, it becomes evident that the hoof-pastern-axis is broken backwards. The heels are (still) rolled in and have shifted towards or under the balance point of the load. |
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Valentina (left fore) – Oct. 2002
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As a consequence of the angled, pointed hoof (see preceding photo) the toe wall flares away. The rolled in heels attack the ailing frog, literally pinching and narrowing it in. The frog horn is pressed into folds, and these tiny folds offer many entrances for bacteria. Thus the development of rotting processes is favoured. Moreover, the pinching of the frog produces a horn crest that is pressed into the deep frog groove and thus presents an additional irritation to the corium. In this way, there is no chance for the
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| permanently stressed corium to heal; in spite of the most meticulous cleanliness and the application of various preparations it will continue to produce abnormal horn. |
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Valentina (left fore) – Nov. 2002
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Only one month later the heels are further sunken and rolled in. The load upon the rear area, the pressure upon the heels and therewith also upon the frog has further increased. The toe had already lost contact with the ground. At this point Valentina was lame, which had never happened before.
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| However, X-ray examinations and lameness diagnosis by two veterinarians offered no clues as to the cause of the lameness. |
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Valentina (left fore) – Nov. 2002
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The „heel pliers“ close in further. There are thick scales of bulb horn and coronary horn respectively which can no longer be shed normally due to the enormous pressure. Even at this time none of the treating vets pointed out that the hooves showed very unhealthy shapes. These photos were sent to Jochen Biernat for assessment. |
Mr. Biernat was the first expert to point out the connection between the hoof situation and the ailment of the frog horn; also, by means of the photos, he identified the possible cause of the lameness. Of course it hurt when the heel pliers bit at ground contact and the rear hoof walls moved painfully inwards under the load! And of course there is no chance of healing for a corium that is bruised in such a way! For the first time in Valentina’s case history the cause for the ailing hooves was looked for in the unphysiological hoof situation!
In retrospect, the owner wonders why all the previous experts failed to observe this connection. Even from looking at the photos alone, it seems obvious – at least if one doesn’t make the mistake of concentrating upon the canker, which is but a symptom. |
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The following pictures show the healing process of Valentina’s hooves through the restoration of a physiological hoof situation.
Valentina (left fore) – Dec. 2002
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Starting from Nov. 18 02, the hooves were treated orthopaedically every fortnight. As can be seen in this picture, one month later the situation has already improved. Even after this short period of time there is more space for the frog. The inflammation of the corium may start to heal. |
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Valentina (left fore) – May 2003
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The hooves are further treated every fortnight. The formerly near oval shape of the hoof has clearly become more rounded. The frog is wide and strong, and the bulb horn has also quietened down.
Meanwhile, the hooves are being treated over four-week periods. Thanks to the hoof orthopaedical treatment they have been kept well balanced for over a year. There is no more need for hoof or frog preparations or ointments.
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