The Whole Horse Veterinary Clinic and Central Texas Equine Vet. Services

06/21/2025

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06/21/2025

Rotation or Distortion? Is this x-ray showing a rotated and sunk P3? Or a terribly imbalanced hoof capsule?

It is the latter.

It’s not rotation.
It’s not sinking.
It’s hoof capsule distortion.

👉 The world sees a laminitic disaster.

We see a hoof capsule not trimmed to its natural parameters:

- Heels left too high

- Toe over-trimmed

- Sole thinned

- Coronary band displaced

- HSP ignored

And just like that, P3 appears to have rotated and sunk.
But it hasn’t moved. The hoof around it has been distorted from imbalanced trimming.

No, the deep digital flexor tendon didn’t yank P3 through the hoof capsule.
That’s anatomical fiction.

What really happened?
Bad hoof care. Plain and simple.

“Your horse has laminitis because you overfed it.”
Wrong.

And then come the heart-bars, rockers, clogs…
Months of “rehab” that scalps the toe even more - until P3 is literally visible.

Then the final ignorant insult?

“We tried everything.” 💉

No. You trimmed the hoof to death.

Stop looking at the x-ray and blaming the horse and the owner.

Start observing the hoof capsule - the distortion is right there. If you know what to look for, it is screaming at you!

Until we change hoof care, horses will keep suffering and dying… for no reason.



HM.

If this is your horse - you need to join The Phoenix Way: Path 2 Hoof Health - now - before it is too late.

06/21/2025

Here are 10 ways to reduce your horse's risk of sustaining tendon damage or injury.

06/21/2025

Texas weather is heating up learn the best ways to cool your horse down

Is it harmful to spray cold water on a hot horse? Should you scrape your horse after hosing him? Two experts weigh in.

06/21/2025

In horses, guttural pouches can be the source of various bacterial and fungal infections. A veterinarian explains how empyema, chondroids, mycosis, and other conditions can afflict these structures.

06/18/2025

We are hiring help for our clinic. Horse handling experience necessary

06/18/2025

Pasture maintenance is necessary for controlling weedy grass species that can be dangerous to horses.

06/18/2025

Puncture wounds in the foot qualify as medical emergencies, due to the amount of vital structures just beneath the sole that can be physically damaged and/or contaminated with bacteria when they are penetrated by a sharp object.

If your horse steps on a nail or other sharp object and it remains embedded in the hoof, resist the temptation to pull the nail out and consult with your veterinarian first. Leaving the nail in place will allow the vet to take x-rays of the foot before removal, which helps to identify exactly what structures have been penetrated, and to plan the most appropriate strategy for dealing with the situation.

If your veterinarian advises, carefully remove the nail to prevent the horse from stepping on it and driving it deeper into the hoof cavity. As you remove it, be sure to mark the exact point and depth of entry with tape and/or a marker so the veterinarian can assess the extent of damage. Apply antiseptic to the wound, and wrap to prevent additional contamination while you wait for your appointment.

Penetrating hoof wounds can be extremely serious and shouldn’t be underestimated. The prognosis for successful recovery depends on quick action to identify the path of the nail, treatment of potential infection and mechanical damage to the foot, and proper aftercare. As always, consult your horse doctor for more information and advice!

06/17/2025

06/17/2025

DO YOU KNOW HOW TO TELL IF YOUR HORSE IS IN DISTRESS?

As a horse owner, it's imperative you know how to recognize problems and respond promptly. It's important to know what conditions require veterinary attention, and how to take appropriate action while you're waiting for the veterinarian's arrival.

Types of emergencies you and your horse may encounter on your journey together include colic; lacerations and bleeding wounds; impaled objects or nails in the foot; acute lameness due to conditions ranging from hoof abscess to fractures, laminitis, tendon injuries and more; eye injuries; allergic reactions; choke; and even foaling emergencies.

No matter what you may face in the future, getting to know your horse's normal vital signs (including temperature, pulse and respiration) as well as its normal behavior patterns will help you become a good observer, so that you readily recognize signs of ill health. Being prepared is in your horse's best interest.

Always remember, your veterinarian is one of your best resources. Talk to them about how they can be reached after-hours, and about recommendations for an emergency plan suitable for your individual situation.

06/15/2025

Wishing all of the dads out there a very happy ! Thank you for putting up with our horse obsessions and supporting our dreams! A special shout-out to our AAEP members who balance the demands of fatherhood with their dedication to equine care—you inspire us every day! 🐴❤️