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You may want to read the introduction article here.
George Platt, DVM with the late farrier, Bernie Chapman, re-pioneered the use of the heart bar.
This module largely covers the use of palmar support and in the case of laminitis, the contributing occasional use of dorsal resections to affect hoof health and the horse’s soundness. Dr. Platt says that dissections and field trials are the basis of support for his protocols.
These protocols are:
- Strictly limiting pain causing drugs is critical to success in early accute phase. Dr. Platt says this is because horses cannot cause damage to hooves when they are lying down.
- Blood serum to asses metabolic condition
- Radio-graphs in conjunction with clinical signs to asses health of P3 and circumflex artery. If these conditions are proper for a reasonable chance of recovery, proceed.
- Proceed with most damaged hoof first.
- If this is in one hoof, devise a treatment plan for the supporting limb, which will now be in danger.
Multimedia presentation.
Various pathologies were outlined with pictures, video, and radiographs, (and a few large elk) to illustrate the protocols for palmar support.
Shoeing:
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One of the things I really wanted help with was manipulating aluminum in terms of measuring and forging wedged shoes. This is an important skill to have in balancing many types of hoof and lower limb problems. Mitch showed us his method, and it has worked very well for me since.
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Someone else wanted to see a demonstration of a steel heart bar being built. This is the one piece version commonly made in farrier competitions.
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Dissection:
Dr. Platt says that dissections are very important in learning about the equine hoof and the effects of pathology and bio-mechanical influences. Fortunately, at the KY Horseshoeing School, there are plenty of cadaver legs to learn from. Dr. Platt lead us through a few to explain the relationships of palmar support on the coffin bone, the circumflex artery, and the deep digital flexor tendon.
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Compression experiments:
All of this information is fine and dandy, but what really shows the proper application of palmar support is action. Mitch got out his compression machine and went through the scenarios with Dr. Platt to show how everything comes together in real life so we can have more confidence in helping your horse.
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heartbar compression video. This video basically shows the method used to evaluate the actual effect of the different situations created and demonstrated in the compression machine.
Again, I thank Mitch Taylor, Dr. Platt and the Kentucky Horseshoeing school for what was the most educational experience I have had the privilege to attend.
I have worked on many laminitis cases as well as other lamenesses, but the information presented here takes away so much guess work. I have had the opportunity to apply this knowledge all too often since this clinic and I feel much more confident in what I can do to help a horse and what needs to be referred to a clinic.
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