3 weeks lame now, could new farrier be to blame?

[claire1976]

My mare has been lame for 3 weeks now (see previous posts), poulticing hasnt located the problem and although the lameness has improved slightly she is now bilaterally lame. Maggie has not had a hard working life, she hasn't competed or hunted and has only really been a hacking mare. It seems a coincidence that her lameness occured after loosing a shoe. My previous farrier used to ofset her shoe slightly on her front right foot as she toe's in a bit. However, I moved yards and have a new farrier who says this type of shoeing doesnt make a difference. It justs seems strange that her lameness has occured since this new farrier has shod her differently.
The vets are at a loss really, they are convinced its not tendon or ligament damage and are now wanting to nerve block her. I am still sure that she is unbalanced as she's had years of corrective shoeing for toeing in and now the farrier doesnt do it - it could be a coincidence but....???
Alternatively, she had laminitis 4 yrs ago so its possible she has some pedal bone rotation, but wouldn't that cause gradual lameness rather than sudden onset? She has medium digital pulsation in all 4 feet.

 

[mrussell]

When was she last shod? My boy can be lame for weeks after a change to his shoe balance. Try not to panic... if it is the change to the shoe position, she ought to be better next shoeing...

Does she normally have senstive feet after shoeing? I had horrendous pulses in both hinds a month ago and it was bruising in the laminae, no reasons for it at all....just came on suddenly after shoeing.... even the vet couldnt locate the problem or think of a cause...but we saw it when he was next shod...

 

[claire1976]

She was last shod at the end of Feb, she usually keeps her shoes on for 8-10 weeks. One shoe fell off at the beginning of April and was replaced (on her foot that toe's in) - 1 week later she went lame. Farrier has been twice but not located anything. I presumed she has some bruising after loosing the shoe but expected an improvement after 3 weeks. She hasn't got shoe's on now as farrier took them all off and told me to call vet.

 

[bensababy]

does she pull away when the nails are being hammered in when shes shod?

 

[mrussell]

Crikey! The hoof baalnce starts to change about a week after first shoeing. I shoe every 5 weeks to try and keep the chnages less noticeable for my fella - and the amount of growth I had at his March fitting was amazing....

If your farrier is totally rebalancing (which is correct) then your horse would have gone from flats to stilettos in one foul swoop...

I would see if more regular balancing helps.... Worth a go!

 

[__Annie__]

Hi Claire, i'm pretty new to posting so bear with me! i'm also no expert but have an experience to share.
my mare is pidgeon toed,more so on nf , and my old farrier did what he did and she was sound.
i then moved yards and so had a different farrier.
she went lame, turned out it was bruised soles. so to cut long story short she was on/off lame/sound for a few months.had vet out/back lady but no diagnosis.
so at long last

i phoned my old farrier who questioned me ,
i said her toes did look longer than before so he suggested the new farrier**.took as much off as possible, dress back the toes without touching the heels and fit wide web or natural balance shoes***
we did this and,touch wood, she is sound again

it may save worry and money if you chat with your previous farrier before undergoing nerve blocks etc. i hope all works out well with your horse.

 

[claire1976]

[ QUOTE ]
does she pull away when the nails are being hammered in when shes shod?

[/ QUOTE ]

No, she's usually very good with shoeing.

 

[claire1976]

Definitely going to speak to my old farrier and see what he suggests. Thanks for advice guys.