Sometimes the principles and techniques that are used to treat one hoof-care problem can be effective with others. In this case, the Steward Clog system that was developed for the treatment of laminitic horses helped return a horse with a malformed navicular bone to soundness.

When dealing with laminitis, most cases require a team approach between the horse owner, farrier and veterinarian. And if there is no respect or communication between you and any of the other parties, Amy Rucker maintains, you should decline to work on the horse.

Dandi had been lame on and off for 3 years. He was over 30 years old, but his exact age was unknown (at least to me). I was called in on this case at the suggestion of the farrier who was working at the barn where Dandi was stabled, near Pearl City, Ill.