founder resolved/going barefoot

Question
Dear Mr. Meyers,

Eighteen months ago my older gelding had Seasonal Rise Founder from undiagnosed Cushings. I had repeat, frequent bloodwork done over 4 months before the founder but the vet didn't know what the bloodwork values meant.  Only after the founder did the Cushings get properly diagnosed.  And I hired a different vet.  Xrays showed approx. 12 degrees rotation on one front foot, 14 degrees on the other.  I was told the horse should be put down. The best I could hope for was pasture soundness and that was iffy. The horse is doing spectacularly well with special shoeing, diet changes, and supplements.  No lameness at all after the first 30  days of treatment.  Twelve months ago I reintroduced him to trail riding and after slow conditioning he is doing 8 to 10 miles a day 3 days a week with no problems whatsoever.  In fact this horse is moving so well and is so eager to go down the trail that I at times have trouble keeping him down to a trot.

Xrays show P1, 2 and 3 all lined up exactly right.  Angles are dead on, he has excellent depth of sole, no flares, no lameness issues at all.  Prior to founder he was sound going barefoot, and had done so for years.  I used hoof boots over really rough terrain on longer rides as a precaution and had no problems with the boots.  

I want to try barefoot again.  My farrier and vet want to keep him in shoes but the only reason given is simply to be on the safe side.  The horse has rubber matting in his run-in stall, sand in his pen, and hoof boots with different kinds of insoles on hand.  If the shoes are pulled I would have frequent trims done, with Xrays taken to ensure proper angles.  And hoof boots initially, taking things slow and easy.

I am looking for an unbiased opinion based on facts.  Do you think a trial period of closely supervised barefoot activity, with the diligent use of hoof boots, is a reasonable Next Step?

Thank you so much for your time!

Annie

Answer
HELLO ANNIE...THANKS FOR YOUR QUESTION...

WOW...THAT is alot of information !!

I shoe quite a few horses in New Mexico, so I know the terrain.

YES...I would give it a "5-week" trial and see how he does!! I DO UNDERSTAND the caution they are talking about..."to be on the safe side".

The main FACT I'm with you on trying barefoot is the "solar depth" you say is Good. That is one of the biggest factors with laminitis. Radiographs are not necessary everytime.

One factor that is confusing with Me, after many years of treating thousands of laminitic/foundered horses is IF THE horse had THAT much rotation and has alot of solar depth??
ALSO...the fact that a ALL 3 phalanx are "exactly right" ???  I Believe You but diagnosis sounds very peculiar.

BUT...definitely give it a try !!

Let me know if you need anything else.
Best to You !!

Joepaul  Meyers,C.J.F.