Advice please, posture problem with horse

[tallyho!]

Thank you THHH, I haven't had a chance to look at that page yet but will do as soon as I get a mo. X rays are on our list of things to do, but I have to say the wedges do seem to have made a big difference in only a few days. I took more pictures yesterday and Domino is standing completely square in these, again on the same concrete surface. I'm going to sort out a photobucket account so I can add them properly at some point! Will also try to dig out some of the older pics of him standing wrong so you can see the difference.

I have my osteopath comin back Friday because despite standing correctly now Domino feels a bit different under saddle now and I want to make sure we're not doing any harm, although I've had several people, including YO and farrier comment that he's looking better every day so I'm a bit more hopeful now. My vet is on holiday until after Christmas but I will get him back and talk to him about the points you've raised. I'm so not a hoof expert so it's good to have opinions from people who know their stuff.

Thank you again and I'll keep you posted.

The wedges give his hoof wall relief which will definitely make him more comfortable... but for how long? What needs addressing is the foot physiology. Very simple thing to do... shame you have to go the long way around.

 

[Bikerchickone]

Whilst I appreciate your comments I do take offence that you think I'm going the long way around. My vet, farrier and osteopath are all working together to get Domino back to full health and all I've done is take their advice. They're all experienced and qualified professionals and I'm not so that's why I'm listening to them. The remedial trimming started as soon as I got him back in July, and on their advice I've tried turning away, I've tried light hacking and now we're trying wedges. How is following their advice from the start going the long way around? Maybe I didn't make it clear but the wedges aren't a permanent fixture, they're on for 6 weeks to see if the posture has become a habit. After 6 weeks they're coming off and x rays will be done if needed. Both vet and farrier think his feet are in good shape now so surely you can't expect me to argue with experts when I don't know enough to do so? Have already said I'll raise your points with them, what else can I do?

Have to admit to feeling a little upset that your post makes it sound as though I'm not doing everything I can for him.

 

[tallyho!]

Whilst I appreciate your comments I do take offence that you think I'm going the long way around. My vet, farrier and osteopath are all working together to get Domino back to full health and all I've done is take their advice. They're all experienced and qualified professionals and I'm not so that's why I'm listening to them. The remedial trimming started as soon as I got him back in July, and on their advice I've tried turning away, I've tried light hacking and now we're trying wedges. How is following their advice from the start going the long way around? Maybe I didn't make it clear but the wedges aren't a permanent fixture, they're on for 6 weeks to see if the posture has become a habit. After 6 weeks they're coming off and x rays will be done if needed. Both vet and farrier think his feet are in good shape now so surely you can't expect me to argue with experts when I don't know enough to do so? Have already said I'll raise your points with them, what else can I do?

Have to admit to feeling a little upset that your post makes it sound as though I'm not doing everything I can for him.

Not for one minute do I think you are not doing everything you can so I apologise that you are offended.

Sorry, it is not my intention.

I have had personal experience with this and was in your shoes two years ago! All I'm trying to say is that there is more than one way to help and not all professionals are familiar with advancements... I spent hundreds on osteo, mctimoney, expensive remedial farrier and vet for over a year. Some thought it was his shoulder, others thought it was his pelvis... the whole time it was his feet.

Please don't take offence I am genuinely trying to help you biker. I can see what is wrong and am making suggestions that could genuinely help Domino. I know that is the long way around because the vet, farrier and osteo have not yet pointed out the blatantly obvious problem.

 

[Bikerchickone]

Ah, ok thank you. I am touchy about it anyway because it's driving me to distraction thinking he's struggling. Plus there's the guilt that I didn't notice the bad shoeing in the first place to get it rectified.

My vet is back off of holiday next week so I will definitely raise your points with him then. I really do want to cover all the bases, hence the post on here.

In Domino's case we're fairly certain the problems began with the shoeing and the osteo is involved to help relieve the muscles that have been working incorrectly and so will obviously be sore when he's corrected.

I'm Just praying I can at least get him to The point where he can stand normally without discomfort!

 

[tallyho!]

With an owner like you, I'm sure he will get better soon!

I won't bore everyone with M's story, it's on here loads if you looked so will pm you ok x

 

[Bikerchickone]

Amymay, sorry didn't see your post earlier, yes his saddle has been checked and is going to be again in January. Mine usually get checked twice a year because they can change shape so much.

Thank you for the thought though.

 

[Bikerchickone]

That'd be great thanks Tally, look forward to reading it.

 

[CBFan]

Standing with one foot stuck out in front or 'pointing' is a classic sign of pain in the foot.

I personally wouldn't shoe in wedges as while this is a common treatment for conditions such as navicular (where foot pointing is a symptom) it masks the problem rather than curing it. His foot shape and balance needs adressing and as some others have sugested, taking him barefoot (even temporarily) is the most natural way to do this.

This is NOT a schooling or 'posture' issue... it is a pain issue and the cause needs to be adressed.

I agree with others too though... perhaps some 'time out' in a field, barefoot with regular trims to adress the balance would do him the world of good... then bring him back in in the spring hopefully with a fresh head, new feet and a more positive attitude to work etc.

 

[AmyMay]

Do make sure the feet are x-rayed before you consider wedges. In fact I'm surprised the vet hasn't recommended this before the remedial farriery was commenced.

 

[Bikerchickone]

It was the vet who wanted the wedges put on, again though they are only temporary. My vet, farrier and osteopath are in agreement that he isn't in pain so I've been following their advice. They've also advised that because he has mostly white hooves which are known to be weaker and he's a very chunky chap that he shouldn't go barefoot. I realise it isn't a schooling issue, the schooling is very light max of ten mins at a time and is intended to help him slowly develop the right muscles to help him carry himself normally. I'd have to say too that this is also working. Three months out in the field left him looking exactly the same as when he first came back, the light work improved things a little, now the wedges have improved things a lot.

I agree that barefoot works for many horses and my youngster is barefoot, but it's not been advised for him. All I can do is follow advice from professionals, otherwise there's no point paying for their advice, but I do intend to have x rays done for my own peace of mind if nothing else.

In the main I'm against remedial farriery for its own sake, but in this case other options have been tried and I have to say I'm encouraged by the fact that it's made a difference because I was at the point where I didn't think anything would.

Thank you all for your words of wisdom which I will take back to my vet in the hope that it'll help us progress a bit further.

 

[tallyho!]

My horse had white feet.... makes me giggle... hoof is the same whether it is black or white... white is just a lack of pigment

 

[Meowy Catkin]

My horse had white feet.... makes me giggle... hoof is the same whether it is black or white... white is just a lack of pigment

I have to agree. I would also add that if your 'experts' are spouting that kind of rubbish, I would want to seek out a new expert.

I really don't mean to be rude, it's just that I had to sack my old farrier a while back as he was crippling my horse. I'm so cross with myself for trusting him because he was an 'expert' and not sacking him sooner.

I really would (from your description) X-ray, take the shoes off and field rest for 6 months + if this was my horse.