The wooden shoe as an option for treating chronic laminitis

Various farriery methods have been described for treating chronic laminitis, yet no particular method has become the preferred choice. The wooden shoe may possess certain advantages such as redistributing load evenly over the palmar/plantar section of the foot due to its flat solid construction and the mechanics (bevelled perimeter, breakover and heel elevation) that can be incorporated directly into the fabrication of the shoe. It should be apparent that the advantages of this farriery option will also be limited unless strict attention is paid to the details involving radiology, foot preparation and alignment of the distal phalanx within the hoof capsule.