A really big barefoot favour

Mahoganybay

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Hi, this post is particularly for the knowledgeable members who have recently been giving advise with regards to barefoot matters/diets etc.

Bit of background, mare is 8 years old, has been off work since July due to chip fracture in her offside hind hock, Arthroscopy performed in Oct and been slowly bringing her back into work following vets advice. looked at her diet in July and took her shoes off in Oct.

This is currently how her feet look (pics taken today) her offside fore has always been that boxy and have struggled with thrush in that frog, vet had to remove quite abit of frog to get to and treat the thrush, but thrush all gone now (frog now needs to re-grow). She is walking & trotting fine on tarmac / road but is a little footy on stones on her front.

My farrier is due Tues (been 8 weeks since her last trim) and i wonder if theres anything i can be talking to him about with regards to her feet.

Offside Fore:
2012-01-22102311.jpg


2012-01-22102250.jpg


2012-01-22102326.jpg


Nearside Fore:
2012-01-22102344.jpg


2012-01-22102337.jpg


2012-01-22102356.jpg


Nearside Hind:
2012-01-22102411.jpg


2012-01-22102404.jpg


2012-01-22102426.jpg


Offside Hind:
2012-01-22102507.jpg


2012-01-22102439.jpg


2012-01-22102526.jpg


Any advise in anyway would be very much appreciated.
 
I was halfway through posting a long reply with photos when my flipping internet hung! So in short - try Artimud, Fieldpaste and Silvetrasol from www.holisticequineservices.co.uk for the thrush, and also pack the Artimud into any areas of black infection that show in the white line.
I have a horse who used to have a very similar twisty and upright front hoof. It is possible that this can be much improved with correct trimming (I'm afraid I saw results when I used a barefoot trimmer). I'll pm you a link to photos. We're not 100% there yet, but he's transformed.
 
Hi, its really unfair to judge what your farrier's work is like from a position of 8 weeks since the last trim. Currently there are a lot of issues with balance that need addressing, particularly with the boxy foot. How about you repost pictures after the farrier has done his best to correct all the issues, then we can try to help you.

Hold your camera on the ground when taking photos of the outside, it lessens distortion, and when photographing the sole, hold the camera directly above the foot.

I look forward to seeing the new photos.

p.s. I don't think you have any diet issues that need addressing by the way. :-)
 
Hi, its really unfair to judge what your farrier's work is like from a position of 8 weeks since the last trim. Currently there are a lot of issues with balance that need addressing, particularly with the boxy foot. How about you repost pictures after the farrier has done his best to correct all the issues, then we can try to help you.

Hold your camera on the ground when taking photos of the outside, it lessens distortion, and when photographing the sole, hold the camera directly above the foot.

I look forward to seeing the new photos.

p.s. I don't think you have any diet issues that need addressing by the way. :-)

Ok! Point taken, will repost some more pictures after my farrier visit, was just after some advise on what i need to be discussing with my farrier going forward.
 
I have experience of "boxy foot" in same foot as yours. I took shoes off about same time time as you after extensive research into bf.

It looks twisted but could be angle, however, one cannot mistake the contracted heels and super high walls. Must be like walking on tiptoes. You can't drastically trim the heels lower as you will lame your horse as the frog is so weak, the digital cushion has probably wasted away and needs slow strengthening. It's a fine balance of time and trimming sympathetically.

Have you bought Pete Rameys' Making Natural Hoof Care Wok for You? This is an awesome resource and makes you understand the hoof perfectly and things will begin to make sense. I'd chat to farrier, or in your case, I'd be more inclined to find an experienced UKNHCP trimmer or EP as they are more sympathetic towards this condition than your average farrier.

Remember to boot when exercising, especially until the digital cushion becomes stronger.
 
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