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Now the news continues.
Australian horse veterinarians and scientists have given a surprise Christmas gift to a 10-year-old mare, Holly, who suffers from a chronic hoof disease.
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization says that Holly took the first steps in her new 3D printed titanium shoes that were custom designed to fit her hoof.
The organization says these shoes may be the key to stomping out foot disease and lameness in horses.
A team of 3D printing experts from the organization worked with horse podiatrists to scan Holly's hoof and design the shoes. The shoes aim to support the hoof and encourage it to heal, while making Holly comfortable.
Holly has been suffering from a debilitating disease called Laminitis for three years. Laminitis affects the attachment between the hoof and bone, causing pain and inflammation.
Horse vet and farrier, Dr Luke Wells-Smith says his team saw the 3D-printed shoe built for a race horse earlier this year and started to think about using 3D printing to rehabilitate lame horses.
The new shoes will work to redistribute weight away from the painful areas of the sick foot and give Holly, and other horses like her, the chance to recover.
Christmas looks a lot merrier for Holly this year. She should be walking normally and without pain in just a few weeks.
