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

claire1976

claire1976

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Posted in veterinary as well, just desperate for some thoughts!!

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....???
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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.
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I can understand why you are leaning towards the shoeing issue.
It does seem strange the she has had corrective shoeing and that without that supprt it has thrown her balance out of line.
Is the any possibilty of you calling your old farrier to discuss his thoughts? he obviously knows her feet and will be qualifed to give you a very good opinion?
 
Would not say that is a coincidence, mine was 3 weeks lame with the wrong shoes, shod on sat, and is now sound.

The corrective shoeing would have caused her muscles/bone/ligament etc to grow in a different way, all be it very slight and therefore the change is uncomfy for her.

I would get her reshod (call old farrier if you have too) leave it a day and see if she is souund.

Good luck!
 
Thanks, I think I will call old farrier and see what he says. Just waiting for head vet to ring me so I can discuss my thoughts and ask his opinion. I totally believe that her muscles had adapted to the corrective shoeing and now that she's not having it she's struggling to cope.
 
It is like if you spent your life in high heels, then wore flats. It is going to pull a bit wearing the flats as your muscles etc will have adapted.

I would get your old farrier to come and do it.

Irritating though I have just spent £130 on shoes in 3.5 weeks. I wouldnt have paid for the second set but didnt want to upset people (YO especially, he is the yard farrier!)
 
But she does say that there is medium digital pulsation in all four feet. If this isn't normal for her horse then it could (not saying it is) be low grade laminitis...

But does sound like the shoeing issue could be behind it. Hope you get to the bottom of it soon OP.
 
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.

Yes but by process of elimination I would say that the shoeing would be the first thing to check. She does not say that the pulsation has differed.
 
Vet has mentioned laminitis but the lameness occured when she was on a bare paddock. I've supplemented the bare grazing with Hay since December so I can't imagine its that. Her previous attack of lami was when she was out on loan on rich pasture and she was very overweight. Now she's spent the winter on the very lean side. She's had hay and hard feed- but nothing too rich. She's only been exercised lightly - no long trots on hard ground so can't be concussion.
Pulsation is exactly the same in all 4 feet, hardly any change from normal pulsation and I would say her feet are no warmer than usual.
 
What is it with you and my posts FF? You always seem to nit pick! If you re-read what I wrote, I said:

"But she does say that there is medium digital pulsation in all four feet. If this isn't normal for her horse then it could (not saying it is) be low grade laminitis...

But does sound like the shoeing issue could be behind it. Hope you get to the bottom of it soon OP"

So no, she doesn't say that this is different for her horse re the digital pulsation - and neither did I!

And as I said before, hope you get to the bottom of it soon OP. It is always a worry when they are not sound isn't it?
 
Donkey was lame, changed farriers and took 10 days to come sound, but she is now
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Look for longer toes and uneven heel growth
 
Her shoes have been off for 2 weeks now and her hooves have shaped themselves naturally. Her lameness has improved about 20% but I am convinced a new farrier who gives her toe-in foot some support would help.
 
i would think it was the shoes but be careful of lami
my ISH got it this week for the 1st time and she was on a skinny paddock, no hard feed, well trimmed etc.the vet was quite puzzled how she has got it really!
i would think prehaps xrays would help she may have some rotation and the new farrier could have upset something in her feet and caused some pain(indicated by the raised pulses) at least then if she needs frog support/heart bars on to support her feet you can see how best to place them for mx benefit.
 
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