Modified Z-bar shoe eliminates occasional frog bruising accompanying Z-bar shoeing for navicular syndrome management in underrun-heeled horses

Abstract

Two horses diagnosed with underrun heels leading to navicular syndrome were fitted with Z-bar shoes. They occasionally showed moderate lameness on the affected legs after the sixth and tenth consecutive farrier adjustments. The affected hooves were sensitive to compression of the frog and sole in their palmar regions. Modified Z-bar shoes were created and shod on the lame legs based on previous with regional anaesthesia and recent clinical examination. The lameness scores were slightly improved at the first shoeing with the modified Z-bar shoes but were markedly improved at four and eight weeks aftershoeing, without medication. The modified Z-bar shoes in this report could potentially protect the palmar structure damaged by usual Z-bar shoes and contribute to reducing pathogenic impacts deriving from underrun heels and navicular syndrome.