All Natural Hoof Care
author: Nancy Frishkorn
testimonial. 7.07
Rose Milavec
updated 14.01.11
testimonial. 7.07
Rose Milavec
updated 14.01.11
Canker is an infection most likely caused by bacterial
but sometimes fungal invasion of the epidermal horn that
starts around the frog and sulcus extending into the soles and walls. In
severe cases, the infection gets into the sensitive lamina and can travel up
the leg as it did in Roxy's case. Dr. Bruns ordered her shoes be pulled so a
complete debriding of all the infected tissues could be performed. She had
cellulitis travelling up her hip and had to be wrapped and medicated with
antibiotics for several weeks. After nine months she was improved but still
produced the "prongs" out of the bulbs and the sulcus still resembled
cauliflower. It was the that Rose was given some medication from Rood n
Riddle (KY) that finally cleared her up. She had tried the mix of Panalog 2
tsp/ivermectin 2 TBSP/DMSO 2 TBSP for months to no avail as her case was
too advanced. The prognosis for a full recovery is very slim in these cases. In
long standing cases recurrence becomes more of the issue. Proper hoof
shape, low heels and regular trim intervals are very important in the
healing process. Even more so is daily care to ensure dry hoof conditions,
proper treatment and protection, and daily turnout or exercise. I have never
met a more dedicated horse owner than Rose. She has made it her mission
to save Roxy even though it meant she had to get up at 3:30 every day to
make sure her stall was cleaned twice and boot / treat as needed. I'm happy
to report that Roxy did an 8 hour fun show and even ran some barrels the
summer of 08 with Harley. What's the best news of all? She did it with no
boots...yes barefoot!
but sometimes fungal invasion of the epidermal horn that
starts around the frog and sulcus extending into the soles and walls. In
severe cases, the infection gets into the sensitive lamina and can travel up
the leg as it did in Roxy's case. Dr. Bruns ordered her shoes be pulled so a
complete debriding of all the infected tissues could be performed. She had
cellulitis travelling up her hip and had to be wrapped and medicated with
antibiotics for several weeks. After nine months she was improved but still
produced the "prongs" out of the bulbs and the sulcus still resembled
cauliflower. It was the that Rose was given some medication from Rood n
Riddle (KY) that finally cleared her up. She had tried the mix of Panalog 2
tsp/ivermectin 2 TBSP/DMSO 2 TBSP for months to no avail as her case was
too advanced. The prognosis for a full recovery is very slim in these cases. In
long standing cases recurrence becomes more of the issue. Proper hoof
shape, low heels and regular trim intervals are very important in the
healing process. Even more so is daily care to ensure dry hoof conditions,
proper treatment and protection, and daily turnout or exercise. I have never
met a more dedicated horse owner than Rose. She has made it her mission
to save Roxy even though it meant she had to get up at 3:30 every day to
make sure her stall was cleaned twice and boot / treat as needed. I'm happy
to report that Roxy did an 8 hour fun show and even ran some barrels the
summer of 08 with Harley. What's the best news of all? She did it with no
boots...yes barefoot!
Canker Healing-Barefoot!
Roxy is a 16yr. old Quarter Horse...she wore shoes all her life, due to thin hoof walls. In the
summer of 2005 she contracted thrush. After a year of trying everything & I mean everything
to rid her feet of this, I was told she had canker. At this time she was under the care of a vet
who knew what it was...I found that not all vets are aware of how to treat this condition.
(Rose was actually advised to put her down!) This is the point that Nancy Naill entered her
life. The shoes were pulled partly to treat the canker but mainly because her hooves were so
bad. Her heels were so contracted and that contributed to her pain and was keeping the
infection in the heels. Nancy started doing the barefoot trimming, slowly as not to change her
drastically. With Canker the feet must be kept clean and as dry as possible. For me that was
cleaning the stall two or three times a day and watching where she could be turned out.(Roxy
was in g2's during this transition period of four months during turnout only) In other words
months of constant attention. The feet were washed with tincture of betadine, sometimes
boraxo soap (as well as clean trax to change the ph levels). The barefoot trimming allowed
the sole of the foot to be used in a way nature intended. This helped to cure the canker. It is
now Feb. 2007 1 1/2 years later. (The shoes were pulled in Sept.) Roxy's hoof walls are
coming in thicker, the soles of her feet are stronger and the heels are finally decontracting. I
was told Roxy would never go barefoot. Never is a word that should not be used. Roxy may
have to wear boots on the front hooves to trail ride...but that remains to be seen.
She has improved tremendously, for that I am thankful!
summer of 2005 she contracted thrush. After a year of trying everything & I mean everything
to rid her feet of this, I was told she had canker. At this time she was under the care of a vet
who knew what it was...I found that not all vets are aware of how to treat this condition.
(Rose was actually advised to put her down!) This is the point that Nancy Naill entered her
life. The shoes were pulled partly to treat the canker but mainly because her hooves were so
bad. Her heels were so contracted and that contributed to her pain and was keeping the
infection in the heels. Nancy started doing the barefoot trimming, slowly as not to change her
drastically. With Canker the feet must be kept clean and as dry as possible. For me that was
cleaning the stall two or three times a day and watching where she could be turned out.(Roxy
was in g2's during this transition period of four months during turnout only) In other words
months of constant attention. The feet were washed with tincture of betadine, sometimes
boraxo soap (as well as clean trax to change the ph levels). The barefoot trimming allowed
the sole of the foot to be used in a way nature intended. This helped to cure the canker. It is
now Feb. 2007 1 1/2 years later. (The shoes were pulled in Sept.) Roxy's hoof walls are
coming in thicker, the soles of her feet are stronger and the heels are finally decontracting. I
was told Roxy would never go barefoot. Never is a word that should not be used. Roxy may
have to wear boots on the front hooves to trail ride...but that remains to be seen.
She has improved tremendously, for that I am thankful!
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Pictured left is the right hind shortly after the shoes were
pulled. The hoof is still imbalanced and the frog sulcus still
oozes out the back of the hoof. Within a year, the balance
was greatly improved (picture 2) but the "prongs" are still
visible in the palmer view (picture 3).
These prongs indicate that the canker is still present, and
unfortunately may always be. Turnout on muddy areas is
discouraged and the hooves are kept as clean and dry as
possible at all times. Roxy has an arena available for her
daily turnout in wet times, and her owner is dedicated to
preforming recommended treatments as they are needed.
I am happy to report that her hoof walls are now over 1/2
inch in thickness and she is pasture sound.
pulled. The hoof is still imbalanced and the frog sulcus still
oozes out the back of the hoof. Within a year, the balance
was greatly improved (picture 2) but the "prongs" are still
visible in the palmer view (picture 3).
These prongs indicate that the canker is still present, and
unfortunately may always be. Turnout on muddy areas is
discouraged and the hooves are kept as clean and dry as
possible at all times. Roxy has an arena available for her
daily turnout in wet times, and her owner is dedicated to
preforming recommended treatments as they are needed.
I am happy to report that her hoof walls are now over 1/2
inch in thickness and she is pasture sound.
A letter from Rose...2007
Website designed and maintained by Nancy Frishkorn AA, BA CHCP
Liberated Horsemanship Instructor www.liberatedhorsemanship.com
Liberated Horsemanship Instructor www.liberatedhorsemanship.com
