Knowledge about hooves
HufkrankheitenProduktanwendung

Klebebeschlag for arthrosis, suspensory ligament injury etc.

8 Min. Lesezeit

When horses have orthopaedic problems – i.e. malpositions, conditions or injuries of the musculoskeletal system – veterinarians often recommend an orthopaedic shoe. This refers to shoes that are either shaped differently or fitted differently than normal shoes, made of a different material or combined with other materials.

Since there is now a wide range of glue-on alternatives to the conventional shoe for healthy hooves, the question arises: are glue-on shoes also suitable for orthopaedic problems?


To answer that, we first need to look at the goals pursued with orthopaedic shoes. We can then examine whether the desired effect can also be achieved with modern plastic glue-on Klebebeschläge.

bekleb

Effects of orthopaedic shoes

In orthopaedic conditions or injuries, a veterinarian is always required to make a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan. In many cases this will also include an orthopaedic shoe, i.e. the veterinarian should define which goal is to be achieved with the hoof protection. The farrier or hoof care specialist should then choose the individually most appropriate implementation for this objective.

The following list shows which effects are often to be achieved with orthopaedic Klebebeschläge and whether these can also be achieved with glue-ons:

Shock absorption

Especially with degenerative conditions such as arthrosis or ossification of the hoof cartilages, the shock absorber function of the hoof or joint is significantly reduced over time, and a damping insole in the shoe is intended to compensate for this function. But horses with thin soles or laminitis are also often happy about increased shock absorption via insoles and/or padding to reduce impacts in sensitive structures when the hoof lands.


Is this also possible with a glue-on Klebebeschlag?

Yes, definitely. Plastic plates without a metal core have the advantage of providing more shock absorption from the outset than a rigid material like iron or aluminium. In addition, Klebebeschläge can also be fitted with soft insoles and padding, providing an extra portion of shock absorption.

Change of the breakover point

Via the change of the breakover point, you can influence when the hoof breaks over off the ground, i.e. how long it stays on the ground and how much the flexor apparatus of the respective limb is stretched in the process. In the vast majority of cases, you want to move the breakover point backwards so that the horse can break over more quickly and the flexor tendons and navicular complex are relieved. In addition, the lever effect on the hoof wall is reduced, which is desirable e.g. in cases of laminitis.

In rare cases (e.g. with foal club foot), the toe is artificially lengthened so that the hoof stays on the ground longer and the flexor tendons are stretched more.

Is this also possible with a glue-on Klebebeschlag?

Yes, absolutely. The base plate of a Klebebeschlag can be freely modified in shape (e.g. square toe), positioning on the hoof (e.g. set back) and with regard to the breakover point. The plastic can be ground down very easily, which also makes strong rounding around the entire Klebebeschlag ("Rock'n'Roll shoe") possible.

Change of the medio-lateral balance

Medio-lateral balance refers to balancing the hoof between the inside and outside ("left-right").

In horses that, due to injuries, chronic conditions (e.g. bone spavin) or their conformation, load one side of the hoof significantly more than the other, the more loaded hoof wall may eventually be pushed under the hoof ("wall-walker") and the load distribution within the hoof is shifted. The more loaded side then appears "narrower" from below and the less loaded side appears "wider". In such cases an orthopaedic shoe with a widening on the underpushed side is often recommended in order to enlarge the support area on this side. This is intended to redistribute the load evenly – the two hoof halves appear of equal size again.

Sometimes one wants to explicitly achieve a shift of the load distribution to one side via the change of medio-lateral balance (i.e. a desired deviation from the "normal" stance), for example to temporarily relieve a tendon or joint in case of an acute injury.

Is this also possible with a glue-on Klebebeschlag?

In principle, the plastic plate of a Klebebeschlag can also be widened on one side (e.g. by welding on additional plastic parts). However, it should be noted that plastic – in contrast to a rigid horseshoe – is flexible, i.e. the plate deforms slightly when the hoof lands (which is normally also desirable). Therefore, the plastic plate cannot be widened arbitrarily, as the flexibility may otherwise cause a lever effect on the more loaded side of the hoof. Knowing this, however, you can counteract with a little trick: the overhang of the widened plate can be filled up towards the hoof with synthetic horn to minimise the deformation of the plastic plate.

Change of the dorso-palmar balance

Dorso-palmar balance refers to balancing the hoof between toe and heel area ("front-back").

An orthopaedic shoe can be used to raise the hoof angle, for example to relieve the flexor tendons or the navicular complex. The branches can also be extended or closed in the heel area in order to enlarge the support surface or to prevent excessive sinking on soft ground (which is desirable e.g. with some suspensory ligament injuries). Wedges and/or rounded shoes are usually used for this purpose.


Is this also possible with a glue-on Klebebeschlag?

Yes, with a glue-on Klebebeschlag the dorso-palmar balance can also be influenced and the hoof set steeper. To do this, either the base plate itself can be bevelled, or plastic wedges can be welded in. With the extension of the branches to the rear, similar considerations apply as with the lateral widening: the plastic plate is flexible and could cause an increased lever on the heels. However, this can be addressed by stiffening the base plate in the heel area, e.g. by using a stiff carbon insert.

Goodsmith bekleb keile

Reduction of the hoof mechanism / stiffening of the hoof capsule

Normally, you want to influence the natural hoof mechanism as little as possible with hoof protection, i.e. the hoof capsule should be able to twist in all directions and blood flow should not be restricted. In certain cases, however, you want to achieve the exact opposite and immobilise the hoof for a limited time. Classic examples are coffin bone (branch) fractures, keratoma surgery, some laminitis cases etc.

If the veterinarian considers immobilisation of the hoof appropriate, a shoe as rigid as possible is classically chosen, which mechanically fixes the hoof capsule, e.g. with side caps, additional nails up into the heel area and/or closed shoes.


Is this also possible with a glue-on Klebebeschlag?

By default, a Klebebeschlag is designed to preserve the hoof mechanism as much as possible, so the restriction by the Klebebeschlag is only minimal. A standard Klebebeschlag is therefore not suitable for this. However, a Klebebeschlag can be combined very well with rigid materials, thereby achieving stiffening of the hoof capsule. For example, the hoof can first be stabilised with a cast (a kind of plaster bandage) before a Klebebeschlag is applied. Additional side caps made of plastic can also be applied, which laterally limit the hoof mechanism. Nevertheless, plastic naturally does not achieve the same stiffness as metal. Therefore, in this case it must be weighed how much the hoof mechanism should be switched off, in order to choose the appropriate material for the orthopaedic hoof protection.

goodsmith bekleb seitenkappen

Conclusion

There is a wide range of special shoes on the market, and the list presented here is only a selection of the most common variants. Other well-known orthopaedic shoes include open-toed shoes, sidebar shoes, heart-bar shoes etc.

Whether these shoes must be made of metal or can also be made of plastic or applied as glue-on depends on the treatment goal individually determined for the respective horse. The objective must in any case always be defined by the veterinarian. The hoof care specialist should then decide with which material the best effect can be achieved without causing other disadvantages (e.g. nail holes).


In summary, however, it can be said that most orthopaedic shoes can also be achieved with plastic and applied to the hoof as a glue-on variant. Plastic can be used very flexibly and individually processed. A combination with other materials (e.g. wood for a Steward Clog or the attachment of an aluminium shoe) is also possible on a plastic carrier plate. However, this always requires an experienced hoof care specialist familiar with the properties of the materials and their effects on the statics and gait of the horse.

goodsmith trägerplatte

Author: Nathalie Kurz


>> Sources