For nearly 4 decades, Niagara Falls, Ontario, farrier Steve McConnell has worked with horses affected by a wide range of hoof conditions.
In managing laminitis cases, McConnell emphasizes teamwork, proactive decision-making and the willingness to think creatively in real-world, on-the-road situations. By adapting his approach to each horse and collaborating closely with veterinarians and owners, he has developed practical solutions that continue to produce positive outcomes.
Using Orthotics
When pads and casting are necessary, their placement in relation to the foot’s internal structures is vital. Drawing on hoof-mapping principles, McConnell notes that many failed laminitis cases don’t stem from device choice but from incorrect placement that introduces leverage rather than relieving it.
Understanding where P3 sits within the hoof capsule allows the farrier to position support where it functions biomechanically rather than cosmetically.
“If you know where the internal structures are, you know where to put your orthotic,” McConnell says. “A lot of the cases I get referred are trimmed reasonably well. The problem is the placement.”
Effective support depends on aligning the point of lift-off with the dorsal distal tip of P3, he says. When that alignment shifts forward, leverage increases on the laminar attachment — working against the goal of stabilization in laminitic and foundered horses.
“If the support is forward of P3’s tip, you’re creating leverage,” he says. “That’s the opposite of what these feet need.”
Aesthetics should never override mechanics in compromised feet. Leaving an overgrown or “ugly” toe may be preferable if it avoids forward migration of the foot and prevents additional stress during lift-off.
“I don’t care if the toe looks ugly,” McConnell says. “If the orthotic is in the right place and the dorsal wall is not creating leverage when the foot comes off the ground, I’ll leave it. When you transition out of orthotics, look at the wear on them. That’s how you know how to set the horse up. Then gradually reduce it over time as the foot grows.”
Through radiographic comparisons and case examples, correct placement consistently improves comfort and stability, while poorly positioned orthotics often worsen pain — sometimes with catastrophic results. His own skepticism of clogs shifted only after proper education on application and placement.
“It didn’t matter whether it was a clog, a pad or a barefoot application,” he says. “When the placement was right and the cause was managed, the results improved. Placement is the game changer.”
Prioritizing Bone
When it comes to prioritizing rollover placement over maintaining a textbook hoof-pastern axis, McConnell emphasizes that in acute, painful laminitic cases, protecting the internal structures of the hoof and their supporting apparatus must come first.
Visual balance and cosmetic alignment often take a back seat to placing support directly under the bone and reducing forces that threaten the laminar attachment. Especially when deformable materials are involved, he focuses on stabilizing the internal structures first, knowing refinement can come later.
“If I’m putting an orthotic on, I may remove as much insensitive/compromised material as safely possible,” he says. “You’re adding bulk underneath and relieving pressure, so I want something directly under the bone. I’ll worry about how it looks later. The foot right now is what could kill the horse.”
McConnell noted that posture and compensation patterns often distort what the eye sees, making traditional visual markers unreliable. Deformable materials like EVA pads can further complicate alignment if deformation is counterproductive, particularly in the acute phase, but that same flexibility can be an advantage when used intentionally.
“Most horses in the acute phase like to be wedged right off the bat,” he says. “With EVA, you can see how the horse wants to pitch the foot, and I encourage that.”
Gain more insight into managing laminitis by reading "Practical Solutions for Laminitis & Founder" by Sarah Welk Baynum in the March 2026 issue of American Farriers Journal.
