Equicast Experiments

Recently I was introduced to Dave Richards product called Equicast, more info can be found at www.equicast.us.  I and other members of the American Hoof Association are experimenting with the casts to see what we can do to improve transition and founder recovery.  Currently I'm applying the casting material to horses on my farm.  I wanted to see what happens.  I do have concerns about fixing the foot in place with a cast, so I'm replacing casts between 2 and 3 weeks to monitor changes.  I first put the casts on Murray's front feet 3 weeks ago.  I did not take pictures of the feet before applying the first casts.  Below I documented the 2nd casting of Murray's feet.  I've also put together photos of what you need to cast feet.

I definitely see improvement in Murray's soles.  I have struggled with getting concavity or actually in reversing his distal descent.  I believe the diet issues are finally under control and there is no more laminitic episodes taking place.  I will continue to photograph every removal and recasting of the foot. 

I believe I can give the foot a more aggressive roll and allow him to be comfortable and move about while doing so.

Tools and Items Needed to apply Equicast

Of course regular trimming tools will be needed to trim the horse to see what those are go to Paige's site, don't forget to come back.

Disposal gloves are a must	Vettec CS with gun and tips	Vettec Adhere and tips	Wirebrush	Knife of some sort	Heat gun	Sand
4 x 4 Equicast (2 or 4)	Bucket of water, @ 70 degrees

I'm currently experimenting with different materials to fill in the collateral grooves and central sulcus of the hoof.  I like the Vettec CS to help prevent thrush and other funk, if necessary.  Also some thin soled horses are going to want extra sole cushion, we can fill the hoof with CS (expensive).  On this casting I tried with Murray to fill the hoof with 100% silicone (shown above).  I don't like how it took forever to set, even with the heat gun, you'll see in the photos that it came out the back of the foot even after curing it.  I've got some dental impression material on order as well as Vettec's Sil-Pac which has a softer feel.  I think I'll like that for the cushion on the founders.  I tried putting Easycare Comfort pads on another horse but the casts came off within a few days.  The horse definitely moved better with the pads in place, so on the next update I'll let you know what I end up working with.  It will need to dry/set fast especially with an active founder.

Murray's Casting Adventure

coming out of a cast that was on for three weeks.

I use my knife to cut the back of the cast and then i cut down as shown in the photo.  This allows me to pop the cast off easily.	This is what the sole looked like immediately after pulling the cast.  I'm not thrilled with all of the dirt/rocks  that were in the cast.  This is why I would want to fill the entire sole with material.	Pre Trim, RF I used my wire brush to clean the hoof.	Pre Trim, RF Oblique View	Pre Trim, RF Lateral View	Pre Trim, RF
RF after trim.  I did clean the crack in the foot more thoroughly and applied Pete's Magic Butt Creme before applying the cast.
Left Front After Trim, I treated the cracks as mentioned above
I filled the collateral grooves, sulcus and sole with 100% silicone.  Then used the heat gun and applied some wax paper.  Once it was set I switched and did the same to the other foot.		Next I applied Vettec Adhere around the foot.		I place the cast in water and swish it around for a few seconds.
Once the cast is on, set it in Sand.  This pushes the material onto the bottom of the foot and also gives added durability to the cast	I use my knife and cut below the coronet band, following the hairline.	Once I start the cut i can peel the cast off.	Finished LF foot, I'm not pleased with how much silicone came out the back of the foot.  It also used out thru the cast at the sole as well.
Right Front		Finished feet.

I have not perfected my wrapping abilities to be able to use one cast for two feet.  It just dries to fast.  I'm not using all of the cast on the feet at this point.  I just cut it off after about 6 - 7 wraps.  If the cast starts to feel dry before I'm completely done, I just take a handful of water from the bucket and toss it onto the cast.  My next task will be to have someone video tape me putting it on the foot.  There is a trick to it. You will want to make sure that you get all the hair at the coronet band out of the cast.  I also don't want the coronet band wrapped.  You will notice I have the cast much lower at the back of the foot on the right front.  I noticed this while taking pictures and did lower it on the left front as well.  I just forgot to take a follow up picture.

I will document the next 3 wrappings of Murray's feet and then go without the cast to see what happens.  To see Murray's feet when I started trimming him back in 2005 click here

If you have any questions feel free to email me.

Kim Cassidy

kim@clickandtrim.com