How far forward should the bar of the heart bar shoe be placed on the frog?
Again, let me stress that the bar should not touch the sole in any manner. It is usually made of 1/4″ X 1/2″ bar stock and is “V” shaped, just like the frog. This bar, on the normal light horse of today, should extend along the frog to a point of 3/8″ (6-7 mm) posterior to the apex. Problems arise if the bar is too long. Does the heart bar cause necrosis of the sensitive frog or digital cushion? If the shoe is correctly applied the heart bar will not cause necrosis. Abscesses usually occur within 15 to 30 days from the first signs of laminitis, if there is edematous swelling of the laminae, sinking and/or rotation of PIII. Abscesses will normally be aseptic in these early stages. It is beneficial to use ichthammol thickly applied to the coronary band, daily or as needed, for the first 30 to 90 days of treatment. This is done to keep the coronary band soft and pliable. When do I expect abscesses to occur? When more than 4 degrees of edematous swelling occurs of if sinking and/or rotatio
