Horse Warmblood Gelding

Equine Podiatrist Helen Stowell

Background.

This handsome boy has had historical issues with central sulcus infections in his heels.  He came back from a spell on loan with a serious recurrence of the problem.  His central sulcus had deep slits and the digital cushion and frog part of his heels was collapsing down through the centre of the foot.

Assessment

To avoid the heel pain he was loading his weight over his toes, and as a result his toe area had widened more so that his heels and frogs.   He was grumpy, withdrawn and uncomfortable.

Approach

We trimmed to widen the heel purchase, kept his weak frog slightly passive to the heels and protected his soles at the toe with booted turnout.  Delicately trimmed the contracted central sulcus to encourage it to open, and to remove any poor quality material that may cause discomfort. Pads helped to support the collapsing frog and heel area.  His central sulci were treated with Hedgewitch products to counter the deep seated infections.   He has also had treatments from an excellent bodyworker and in hand work to help him improve how he’s using himself. 

Progress

The photos below show 6 months progress with this case, the top row are at the beginning and the bottom row is 6 months later.  The frog has widened, the heel bulbs are less collapsed with better depth of soft tissue.  The depth of the slit of the central sulcus infection is also less significant although still very much there.  

As the heel area has widened, the toe width has reduced.  The indicates that he is loading more bodyweight into his heels which is starting to reverse the distortions in the toe area of his foot.

The next goal for these feet is to continue to help the central sulcus heel, encourage his use of his heels and develop a foot which is wider at the heels than at the toe.  This will allow the frog to open up more, with the central sulci depth return to a more normal position.  It’s likely these feet will always have a deeper central sulci due to how compressed/infected they have been.   

He’s become more cooperative to being trimmed and general handling as his comfort has improved, and we’re looking forward to the next 6 months of improvements.   With a case like this where the distortions have appeared over time, it will take time to reverse them.