Plastic fantastic for sore feet
A new plastic shoeing system could offer relief for sufferers of laminitis
and other painful hoof conditions A farrier from Malmesbury, Wilts, is
pioneering a new system of shoeing horses using mouldable plastic
horseshoes. Andrew Poynton, who has practised farriery for 21 years and is an examiner
on the board of the Worshipful Company of Farriers, has been testing the
thermoplastic heart bar shoe …with the help of equine veterinary hospitals
around Britain.
“The shoe has had a dramatic result in many cases,” said Mr Poynton. “It’s
simple, but effective. It is a therapeutic application, used in a
non-traumatic and non-invasive way.”
In the majority of cases the shoe is used as first aid or in a last-ditch
attempt at saving an animal, for example in acute laminitic cases.
“By using what we call the ‘Imprint foot care system’ the farrier or
veterinary surgeon will trim
and prepare the horse’s damaged feet, before
putting the shoes on,” added Mr Poynton.
Nails are not used to attach the shoe, which is moulded to the hoof after
being heated in water. This means that it can be fitted even when the
animal is suffering from a painful condition or the hoof has been badly
broken, without causing further trauma.
The shoes have also been used successfully in the treatment of orthopaedic
problems in developing foals’ limbs and feet. They have also been used in
racehorse yearlings showing signs of developing a clubfoot before going into
training, but which are now competing successfully on the racetrack.
Tom Ryan, Fellow of the Worshipful Company of Farriers, who uses the shoeing
system, said: “It’s a versatile and innovative system of shoeing horses.
The plastic is malleable at boiling water temperature, so that you can
remould it into any shape you like. You can also add or remove the hot
plastic. “It’s useful and I think it will help a lot of horses.”
Liverpool University large animal hospital at Leahurst is now using the
Imprint foot care system,
as are leading farriers…..
The shoes have the added benefit of being environmentally friendly, as they
are biodegradable.
