Farrier Report: Glushu Success for Laminitis and Solar Abscess Recovery

3 hours ago

2 min read

Laminitis is difficult enough on its own. Add a solar abscess after the laminitic episode, and hoof care becomes a careful balance between protection, comfort, timing, and restraint.

Thanks to expert farrier Tom Clothier, who shared how he used Glushu in a challenging case involving laminitis followed by a solar abscess. His account is useful because it shows what often matters most in difficult hoof recovery: keeping the horse comfortable, protecting vulnerable structures, and making changes only when the hoof is ready.

From Tom Clothier:

“This horse is a very tricky customer when it comes to caring for their hooves.

The horse had a laminitic episode which was compounded by a solar abscess post laminitis. I put him in “backwards Glushu” (applied in a reversed orientation) to help make him more comfortable during recovery.

The abscess took 3 weeks to clear with the aid of antibiotics. I carefully removed the false sole at 19 weeks. This will be different for all horses and should never be removed too early.

The sole has regenerated and he is still in Glushu to keep him comfortable during the hard ground.

The plan is to remove them once the ground softens at their next appointment.”

How Glushu helps in complicated cases:

Glushu is designed to attach shoes without nails, making it ideal for horses with sensitive or damaged hooves. One standout feature is its aluminium core. This core allows the shoe to be shaped and adjusted on the anvil just like a traditional nailed shoe meaning farriers can achieve a precise fit tailored to the individual hoof or a complete modification, improving comfort and stability.

If you would like to try Glushu for your horse, please order from our online store or ask your local farrier supply. For questions about Glushu, contact sue@glushu.com.