How veterinarians and farriers manage the chronically laminitic foot can often determine whether that horse can live a useful, relatively pain-free life. During the Sept. 17-18 Laminitis West Conference in Monterey, Calif., Bob Agne, DVM, an equine podiatrist at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., discussed how the Rood & Riddle podiatry team approaches such cases.

Agne first assesses the foot, particularly noting whether the coffin bone is stable or unstable within the hoof. His treatment goals are to:

• Address the underlying cause of the laminitis, if known;

• Re-establish vascular perfusion (healthy blood flow) to the dorsal solar corium (the inner tissues from which the sole grows) to encourage sole growth;

• Encourage healthy wall growth from the entire coronary band;

• Protect and unload lesions; and

• Treat any infections.

Agne recommended using radiographs to help farriers determine the proper trim for such horses. While many different types of shoes have been found to help achieve the therapeutic goals, Agne said the type of shoe isn't as important as finding the proper trim and establishing good therapeutic mechanics.