Pioneering treatment helps pony to walk again (From Chard & Ilminster News)

Pioneering treatment helps pony to walk again

4:19pm Wednesday 20th February 2008 in Chard By Kirsty Maclagan

A SHETLAND pony at Ferne Animal Sanctuary, near Chard, has undergone state-of-the-art treatment to cure him of a crippling disease.

Bobby, a 25 year-old male, has been fitted with custom-made aluminium shoes to help alleviate his severe laminitis.

The condition, common in hoofed animals, occurs when the pedal bone in the foot becomes deformed and starts pushing down through the hoof, causing the tendons to contract and the area to become inflamed.

Head of horses at the animal rescue centre Nikki Haddock explained: "Bobby has suffered from laminitis for most of his life and when our equine vet examined x-rays of his foot he said that he had never seen a case where the pedal bone rotation was so severe.

"It's incredibly painful - it would be like having a permanent in growing toenail for us."

After exploring a number of different options, the centre came across a remedial shoe technique from America that would give Bobby his best shot at a pain-free retirement.

The pioneering procedure, which has only been attempted twice before in the UK, involves fitting sloped aluminium wedges - similar to orthopaedic shoes - to the front hooves to stretch out the tendons in his feet.

Bobby may have to wear the shoes for up to year, with the farrier readjusting the angle of the wedges every six weeks until his feet have been completely re-shaped.

And the treatment, which began in November, is already beginning to have an effect.

"Bobby is responding really well to the treatment, a couple of months ago he could barely walk out of his stable and now he's scaling hills," Nikki said.

"Everyone at the sanctuary is very excited at his progress."

The specialist procedure could end up costing up to £1,000, with the farrier having to go a course to learn how to 'engineer' the shoes.

But Nikki said the expense is worth it.

"Bobby is much happier pony now, it's lovely to see him out in the fields at last."

*If you are interested in sponsoring Bobby or any of the animals at Ferne contact the sanctuary on 01460-65214.