Follow up Venograms and Radiographs of the Backyard Mare project.

. Hello everyone, I hope you are enjoying this site and potentially learning something as well.  Please feel free to ask any questions in the comment segment.  So we are just a little over four weeks into this shoe cycle with the low score mechanical rocker shoe.  In the plain film soft tissue farrier friendly radiograph we can measure right at 14 mm of sole depth in the left.  We started with 8mm of sole depth when we pulled her out of the pasture with bare feet and slightly tender on the rocks.  She has been ridden fairly regular which does slow down foot growth.  Again, what I am attempting to demonstrate is how the rocker shoe application enhances the  foot mass noted by increase in sole depth and the accompanying venogram changes. In my experience and the experience of many others, the rocker shoe is the fastest method available to regain foot mass and quality.  We are getting close to normal sole depth  of 15mm after 4wks in the rocker shoe.  I find that many foot ailments and lameness' improve drastically with added foot mass.

 The first image is today's and the second is the initial radiograph March 8, 2011.  Notice the great improvement in sole depth.

The Most notable change here is the terminal papillae are getting longer.  These are the little finger like projections.

In this view the terminal papillae continue to become longer and  more robust.  This will continue as sole depth increases.  When we achieve a healthy sole depth of closer to 20 mm we should have a very prominent terminal papillae and a vascular depth of around 10 mm.  

Below I am going to post a recent venogram on a chronic laminitis case.  This gives something to compare to.  Note the severe lack of contrast over to face of the coffin bone and below the apex of the coffin bone.  Just to refresh the memory the white tree branch like things you are seeing are the arteries and veins within the hoof.  In the image below there is no blood flow below the coronary band in the front (to the left).  There is still slight filling of the terminal arch which is supplying the coffin bone its nutrients and is keeping it from completely dying.  There is considerable bone resorption as almost 1/2 of the coffin bone is gone due to the lack of normal blood supply.  

 Keep checking the blog as next week I will be rechecking the Severe white line disease case that I have already posted.  We will be repeating radiographs and evaluating response to the rocker rail application. 

We hope everyone is enjoying the Spring.  

We are in the planning stages of hosting Dr. Ric Redden of International Equine Podiatry Center of Versailles, Ky for a 2 day lecture and live demonstration on October 14 and 15.  I will post the details when we get them nailed down.  

We will also be traveling to Magnolia, Tx to help renowned farrier Jimbo Stewart put on a clinic demonstrating radiographic technique, how to treat common foot problems and to read radiographs.