11/11/2025
Adapting to growth is part of a farriers job, trimming, shoe placement, balance, and mechanics are considered when shoeing a horse. This case took some non conventional thought.
This filly foundered about two years ago, although we only started working on it just one month ago. Demineralization of the tip of P3 accelerated heel growth, and deep flexor tension were the most apparent issues to attend to first. On the initial shoeing the foot was derotated, and a freedom shoe with 2* of wedge added for caudal support.
The horse progressed in soundness and comfort immediately, leading us to think we hit a home run! Fast forward four weeks and weāre right back where we started. Too much heel, pain in the anterior sole from the tip of P3 pushing against the circumflex artery/vein/nerve. In seeing the radiographs, it was clear that we needed adaptive shoe mechanics to self adjust through a shoeing cycle. A shoe that will allow for a slight wedge at the beginning of the cycle when the heel height is trimmed appropriately, and a reverse wedge to attempt to keep a consistent palmer angle as the foot grows heel and the capsule migrates forward.
A full rocker was build into a GluShu with the pivot placed directly below the center of rotation of the coffin joint. Supported with DIM and a leather pad for protection.
Initial response was favorable, but time will tell if our adaptive shoe does the trick.