The method of raising the heels in case of acute lamini-tis has been propagated at the end of the 1980s for the first time (Hertsch, Dallmer) and subsequently been put into practice with the means available. Because of the apparent success of this method, it has become a widely accepted part of the standard treatment of laminitis hooves.The load-shifting effect of raised heels has also been proved by measurement technology in theoretical papers (Klunder, 2000). It became apparent that the more the heels were raised, the more the body load shifted from an initial balance between toe andheels towards the heels, thus unloading the toe. Klunder explained this observation with a reduction of tension in the deep digital flexor tendon. This tendon is inserted in the palmar surface of P3 and rotates P3 backward-downward since the antagonist (the connection between the dorsal surface of P3 and the toe wall) is out of operation due to laminitis.
展开▼
