CB Separation in Foundered Horses

A retrospective study was done to review the case histories of over 400 horses with laminitis or founder and identify those that also had separation of the hoof wall at the coronary band greater than 8 cm (about 3 inches) in length.

Clinical, X-ray and treatment data collected over a 23-year period was reviewed when the cases were compiled for study and the outcome of each case was described. Included were only horses with acute founder characterized by distal displacement of the coffin bone within the hoof capsule and a coronary band separation of at least 8 cm.

About half the cases had coronary band separation at referral (typically 6 weeks after onset). Others developed separation 1 to 10 weeks (average of 4 weeks) following referral. Front feet were most affected (78%) with 3 (13%) horses affected in hind feet and 2 (9%) in all four feet.

Seven of 23 (30%) cases became sound and 16 (70%) were euthanized. The presence of infection was not associated with the outcome, however, 10 of 16 horses with prolapse of the solar corium died or were euthanized.

Euthanized horses were characterized by coronary band separation, with a depression above the coronary band and a founder distance greater than 13 mm and the presence of a thin bloody serum discharging from the separated tissues. (Note: The authors have previously defined “founder distance” as the “vertical distance between the proximal limit of the dorsal hoof wall and the proximal limit…