Welcome! ECHoof is an offspring of EC/IR and is a resource to learn options for recovery from laminitis/founder. Our goal is to give people with widely divergent hoof care backgrounds useful, comprehensive information about the often confusing and costly subject of rehabilitating laminitic/foundered feet. It is not a barefoot only list, nor is it a teach you how to trim list. We endorse only one style of hoof care: Careful, thorough, and ongoing evaluation of each horsešs situation. This includes external hoof shape and condition, position and condition of internal structures, and relevant aspects of diet, environment, housing and footing. The goal is to identify issues and provide guidance as how to achieve realignment, comfort and healing. Discussion can include all known and available options, with review and adjustment as needed. We do not advocate a particular method; barefoot, booted, glued, or nailed appliances may be useful. With laminitis/founder, most benefit from no shoes to allow frequent realigning trims. Styrofoam, boots, pads, or other products may help support the internal hoof structures, greatly increasing the animalšs comfort and often reducing the total amount of necessary drugs. In some cases, other appliances or specialized shoes may be useful. Individual cases will be discussed and explored as well, along with any emerging new treatment approaches. Keep discussions of specific PPID and IR equines on the main EC list! For hoof photos and x-rays, create an album on ECHoof labeled with your horse/your name. Then post to main list requesting review and suggestions. To expedite reply, use the URL to your folder in your signature. Respectful discussions of philosophical aspects or regional issues are permitted. POSTS AND PHOTOS ARE COPYRIGHTED to person posting and list owners, AND MAY *NOT* be used without written permission of both. Poster must provide current contact info to list owners to retain copyright