Advice Please

b0508

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My horse is shared with my step Mum and I'v just been told that she is wanting to put front shoes on her because someone has told her that it helps with laminitis.Now my horse has never had shoes on in her life and does fine with the workload and has never been foot sore. Now is there some truth in this or not ? I have not that much knowledge but wouldn't think that it would affect them and I'm trying to see why we need to put shoes on her when she is perfectly fine how she is??

Any advice would be great

thanks :D
B x
 
When you say your horse is shared, who owns it? Or is it 50/50 ownership?

From what I've heard, remedial shoeing can be used in some cases for laminitis prone horses, but this should be agreed upon by your farrier and vet, who should also advise on which type of shoes (if any) are required. Personally I would have thought diet the best means of controlling laminitis, though. :)
 
50/50 but she is offering to pay for these shoes. It wouldn't be remedail shoes just normal .The horse will be managed through diet and is going to be wearing a grazing muzzle. She is rather novice and will listen to other people wether they are right or wrong but this is not a subject that I know about either.I'm just struggling to see the benifit when I don't believe anything needs changing.

Bx
 
I would definately seek the advice of your farrier and/or vet before going ahead if I were you. I haven't had a lami myself, but know people who have; they generally have remedial shoes put on due to changing foot shape, from what I understand, so I'm not sure a normal set would act as a preventative at all. I may be completely wrong of course, but it certainly can't hurt to get the advice of your farrier on his next visit :)
 
Does your horse have a history of laminitis? If so, you vet and farrier will know what's best if there have been hoof changes. Whether or not the horse has had laminitis in the past, shoeing wont prevent him getting it. Using a muzzle and /or restricted grazing and carefully managed feeding are definitely good ideas if you're worried about preventative measures.
Personally, if your horse has done fine without shoes up until now, unless the workload is changing and you think he won't cope, then I'd stick with what he's used to. That's assuming he's not receiving any treatment or remedial work, of course.
 
I have seen shoes with pads can be used with horses that have laminitic changes in the foot... These have been vet referred though. The horse had normal shoes on, and because of the laminitic changes was having the problem that the frog had contracted and therefore the blood circulation wasn't working right. Having pads on corrected this.

However if the pony is even slightly laminitic at the moment, do NOT put shoes on it! The stress of it could well make it a lot worse. My farrier when he comes out, especially this time of year, always asks those with lami ponies how they are doing. Him messing with their feet in that condition would be a disaster.
 
I have seen shoes with pads can be used with horses that have laminitic changes in the foot... These have been vet referred though. The horse had normal shoes on, and because of the laminitic changes was having the problem that the frog had contracted and therefore the blood circulation wasn't working right. Having pads on corrected this.

However if the pony is even slightly laminitic at the moment, do NOT put shoes on it! The stress of it could well make it a lot worse. My farrier when he comes out, especially this time of year, always asks those with lami ponies how they are doing. Him messing with their feet in that condition would be a disaster.

these shoes with pads are very expensive (£180) fronts although they did help my laminitic pony whilest he was with us - the illness was too much and he had to be put down :( i would strongly advice seeking a professioal opinion from both a vet and farrier on this issue x
 
the pads that were put on the pony I know were not that expensive.... They are still being reused over a year later. Think the pads were about £40 on top of the shoes, then every time after she just paid for the regular shoeing plus a little extra for this putty stuff they put in.

Different farriers must use diff pads. This pony had x rays etc before they were fitted.
 
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