Anxiously waiting to hear back!

Hormonal Filly said:
Whilst I totally agree barefoot is best, I need to be sure she isn’t foot sore, there is no reason the shoes can’t come off again if it is and that would be my preferred route if it went well. My farrier is very pro barefoot even for TBs.

If I tell the race yard I’ve decided to keep her barefoot and she’s still lame, they’ll think well it’s her feet.

I really need to shoe just for a diagnostic for now, if she’s still lame realistically she needs to go back. I’ve had my heart broken over and over, and have one broken horse sat in the field as it is.
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I totally understand where you are coming from i would happily lend you my boots to try. I have size 3 and 4 scoots.
My worry is shoes on does not stop stone hitting to sole etc at least boots do.
 
I would put shoes on all round as soon as possible. Give her a fighting chance! Her soles/ hooves will be protected 24 hours a day, she’ll have worn shoes before and probably never worn hoof boots. She sounds lovely and try not to overthink, this sounds like a less is more situation to me!
 
Hormonal Filly said:
Whilst I totally agree barefoot is best, I need to be sure she isn’t foot sore, there is no reason the shoes can’t come off again if it is and that would be my preferred route if it went well. My farrier is very pro barefoot even for TBs.

If I tell the race yard I’ve decided to keep her barefoot and she’s still lame, they’ll think well it’s her feet.

I really need to shoe just for a diagnostic for now, if she’s still lame realistically she needs to go back. I’ve had my heart broken over and over, and have one broken horse sat in the field as it is.
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Exactly, if you already owned this horse, were already in it for the long run, and were asking opinions on what to do with the feet then barefoot with boots would be the way to go, along with managing the diet and sympathetic trimming.

Where you are now, is that you have 4 weeks to decide to keep or return. In 6 months the feet could be significantly better but not in 3 weeks. Your vet needs to identify, in the short term, whether there is a lameness issue aside from the feet and this is difficult to do when the horse is footsore. She was presumably sound in training with shoes on, not that long ago, so if there's no underlying problem the she should be sound again in shoes. I don't see that one more set of shoes is a make or break for her when she would have had shoes on for several years already.

A lot also depends on your attitude, if she doesn't come sound but the trainer will, after 6 months take her back that's one thing but if they won't, potentially you then have 2 pets, on going costs or faced with euthanising one or the other and back to square one of looking for a sound horse, I'm sure your aware of this.

Horse buying is a nightmare atm there's no easy answer.
 
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suebou said:
I would put shoes on all round as soon as possible. Give her a fighting chance! Her soles/ hooves will be protected 24 hours a day, she’ll have worn shoes before and probably never worn hoof boots. She sounds lovely and try not to overthink, this sounds like a less is more situation to me!
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I agree in the circumstances that she should be shod, but it isn't true that they protect the soles unless the horse is kept 100% on dead flat surfaces. In my own experience they make it more likely that the horse will put its full weight onto a damaging stone, not less. It also doesn't matter whether she's worn boots before or not.
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I'm Dun said:
The only issue is shoes on those feet may well make her worse. I think you need to sit and have a think about whether you want the stress and worry of this, because rehabbing feet is stress and worry even when you've done it ten times before. There would be no shame, esp given the circumstances in saying, nope not for me right now.
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We had success with pads and some squishy farrier gooey stuff under the pads that I forget the name of! It's supposed to massage the hooves mimicking barefoot so kind of the best of both worlds. Expensive though! 🙈
 
suebou said:
I would put shoes on all round as soon as possible. Give her a fighting chance! Her soles/ hooves will be protected 24 hours a day, she’ll have worn shoes before and probably never worn hoof boots. She sounds lovely and try not to overthink, this sounds like a less is more situation to me!
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Absolutely not true. The horse in my avatar had stone bruises, abscesses and on one memorable occasion, a hole punched through his sole, all while shod. It was one of the reasons why I had his shoes off, only doing a couple of cycles of fronts when I needed him to grow a crack out. He wasn't impressed!

His feet were lousy, so he was booted 90% of the time on hacks but sound on grass.
 
I would get a decent farrier who also does remedial stuff and ask them what they think.

A long time ago I bought a pony everyone on here would have said no to. She had the feet from hell and her soles were much too thin. We did shoes all round and gel under pads in front. With an appropriate diet, exercise etc she was sound without the gel on the next shoeing. Given how bad they had been after a lifetime of being barefoot I never took the shoes off and neither did her next owner. She was happy and sound in shoes.

I’m a ‘barefoot if possible’ person. She needed shoes. My friend’s TB needs shoes. The rest of her horses are barefoot. What matters is that you do what is right for each individual horse.
 
The farrier came out yesterday, he said he did not expect her to look the way she does (in a very positive way) He had a really good look at her feet. He said apart from the angles being off, they were solid and pretty good for a TB..

He noticed her hinds are worn on the outside so will need to keep an eye on that. He tidied them up and I walked her, then had a long discussion.

For now he has put front shoes on and trimmed the backs. He did a really good job and said he really likes the look of her. She was so so well behaved!

He really thinks she could go barefoot with the use of boots as required because of the footing at my yard (it’s all long stoney tracks to get to fields or to tarmac roads, pain for barefoot)

We will review in 6 weeks and go from there.

Asides her feet. I did some inhand work today in the school. Moving her quarters, turn on the forehand, backing up. She really tried, plus some inhand poles which she knocked at first and then walked over them lovely, head low. She was super. I walked her to the mounting block and was getting her to stand while I praised and lent on her back slightly.

She also did carrot stretches the best she’s ever done today! The first day she had no idea what I was expecting.. but is picking it up really fast.
 
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She has been with me for just over 2 weeks now!

I had a saddle fitted a week ago, which I have on trial.. we've done 4 short ridden walk hacks so far in company. The first I had to get off she just blew her head, but got on once she calmed down slightly 10 minutes later and it was successful. Each ride she has been getting better, certainly very joggy and always raced in blinkers so looks at everything. I've been doing in hand poles as well (enjoys that and improved a lot already) and long lined her through the fields last week on her own with my partner walking, she was very good only had two joggy moments. She reacted to the girth the first time but has got better every time, will keep a eye on that. She also stands at the mounting block and walks out well, likes to lead, seems very good in traffic. She isn't reactive to the leg, not sure if that is normal or not? Pleased I've found a bit she really likes (myler) which a friend has lent me.

She has came into season 3 days ago and been in with the small group of mares (4 of them, introducing her went really well) so the last few days have been challenging bringing her in. She has gone from desperate to come in, to reversing, spinning, screaming, barging into me while I walk her across the field because she doesn't want to come in. I have persisted and bought her in every morning but its difficult before work, and I can't allow the freelance staff to get her in while she is behaving like this. I'm hoping it passes! I guess at least she enjoys being in the field now..

In terms of soundness, she is moving a lot better since having front shoes on. I've not trotted her up or lunged, not that I can see the lameness anyway. I have noticed after being in for the day her RF does have more fluid around the fetlock than her LF but she hasn't yet taken a lame step out the stable yet.

The saddle I only have on a 2 week trial and its £800 second hand, not sure what to do at that point. I also need to get the vet back out to review at the 6 week point, which is 4 weeks time. I don't really want to spend £800 on a saddle and then end up giving her back (which I don't want to) but if she is still lame, I'm not sure where we can go from there.. she is going to be a lot of work, asides lameness. I really do have a sweet spot for her.
 
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Hormonal Filly said:
She has been with me for just over 2 weeks now!

I had a saddle fitted a week ago, which I have on trial.. we've done 4 short ridden walk hacks so far in company. The first I had to get off she just blew her head, but got on once she calmed down slightly 10 minutes later and it was successful. Each ride she has been getting better, certainly very joggy and always raced in blinkers so looks at everything. I've been doing in hand poles as well (enjoys that and improved a lot already) and long lined her through the fields last week on her own with my partner walking, she was very good only had two joggy moments. She reacted to the girth the first time but has got better every time, will keep a eye on that. She also stands at the mounting block and walks out well, likes to lead, seems very good in traffic. She isn't reactive to the leg, not sure if that is normal or not? Pleased I've found a bit she really likes (myler) which a friend has lent me.

She has came into season 3 days ago and been in with the small group of mares (4 of them, introducing her went really well) so the last few days have been challenging bringing her in. She has gone from desperate to come in, to reversing, spinning, screaming, barging into me while I walk her across the field because she doesn't want to come in. I have persisted and bought her in every morning but its difficult before work, and I can't allow the freelance staff to get her in while she is behaving like this. I'm hoping it passes! I guess at least she enjoys being in the field now..

In terms of soundness, she is moving a lot better since having front shoes on. I've not trotted her up or lunged, not that I can see the lameness anyway. I have noticed after being in for the day her RF does have more fluid around the fetlock than her LF but she hasn't yet taken a lame step out the stable yet.

The saddle I only have on a 2 week trial and its £800 second hand, not sure what to do at that point. I also need to get the vet back out to review at the 6 week point, which is 4 weeks time. I don't really want to spend £800 on a saddle and then end up giving her back (which I don't want to) but if she is still lame, I'm not sure where we can go from there.. she is going to be a lot of work, asides lameness. I really do have a sweet spot for her.
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To be honest, a horse that has been out of work for so long and you are starting from scratch with, I think you should be bloody proud of how it is going. Well done. The lameness I really hope is a very minor issue for you and will resolve.

Tbs are very much misunderstood, they need time and patience and a good bond with their owner. She will settle down two weeks is nothing in the grand scheme of things.
When I got BB he was high as a kite, end of the rope leading him bringing him in spinning, pirouette all of that malarky. But to be honest it was fear and I never felt at any point in danger.

The barging into you will come with ground work. You two will hopefully be a great partnership 🥰
 
Thanks @Barton Bounty, she has definitely come a long way in 2 weeks! I really like to build a bond and understand them, a lot of it with her is fear and anxiousness. She was coming to call, until she came into season.

maya2008 said:
If it is second hand, would the saddle not sell on at the price you paid if she ends up going back?

I’d want some imaging done before you make a final decision - even if sound.
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It is second hand, I could sell it on if she went back but there are a lot of them around and suspect I'd loose £300-200 but I guess its not a great deal in the scheme of things.

I'll speak to the vet, I'm not sure where she would image. Maybe front fetlocks and hocks/stifles? Her back feels lovely and soft, she has really got the hang of carrot stretches.
 
Well done for sticking with it, sometimes you don't realise how much you've bitten off until you've got to chew it!

I think you did the right thing sticking some fronts on - she's either going to go back to the breeder who will just shoe her right away anyway, or you've given yourself the chance to see if the lameness was just her being footsore. And while you're not sure if you want to keep her (sorry I don't know if you said that or it was just musings from others), you really need to know that 1) she's sound and 2) she will do the work you want her to. There's no point spending £200 on boots and doing a 6 month rehab just to come to the conclusion she's bugged and you're not keeping her. If you still want her barefoot in 6 months then you can crack on with transitioning her then!
 
Hormonal Filly said:
Thanks @Barton Bounty, she has definitely come a long way in 2 weeks! I really like to build a bond and understand them, a lot of it with her is fear and anxiousness. She was coming to call, until she came into season.



It is second hand, I could sell it on if she went back but there are a lot of them around and suspect I'd loose £300-200 but I guess its not a great deal in the scheme of things.

I'll speak to the vet, I'm not sure where she would image. Maybe front fetlocks and hocks/stifles? Her back feels lovely and soft, she has really got the hang of carrot stretches.
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Seasons turn them into the devil 🤣
 
The last couple of short walk hacks Saffie was very quite and felt weird behind at times, like she had a stone in her foot but didn’t. She had also been resting behind, reversed up against the straw banks with her rested hind on the bank.

The osteopath came out last week, I’ve used her for my mare for years and she is great. She noticed she wasn’t quite sound behind but potentially a bit of stifle weakeness due to the clicking which might improve with work and muscle. (Almost sounded positive!)

She treated her, we then trotted her up again and popped her back on the lunge.. she was dog lame behind!

Likely worse after a treatment as she loosened up where she was holding herself to compensate. The osteopath recommended investigating, usually she is one to recommend strengthening so it just shows how bad it was. She thought she had a bilateral stifle problem.

I had a really good think and decided to return her last week. Even without the lameness she will be a lot of work, let alone add lameness in.

The worst thing is although the race yard have accepted her back, they’ve said she is being collected asap by a lady who sounds like a dealer. :(

I have felt extremely upset for her but not sure what else I can do. I'm on holiday at the moment and I’d of had to pay for a freelance staff to do her but the one at our yard had already refused/declined to deal with her again.

Such a sad cruel world. I’m so gutted it didn’t work out.
 
Tbh , I wouldn't have kept a lame horse for this long. Unfortunately horses get passed around. Better luck next time. And I'd recommend not collecting a lame horse even for a trial.
 
Hormonal Filly said:
The last couple of short walk hacks Saffie was very quite and felt weird behind at times, like she had a stone in her foot but didn’t. She had also been resting behind, reversed up against the straw banks with her rested hind on the bank.

The osteopath came out last week, I’ve used her for my mare for years and she is great. She noticed she wasn’t quite sound behind but potentially a bit of stifle weakeness due to the clicking which might improve with work and muscle. (Almost sounded positive!)

She treated her, we then trotted her up again and popped her back on the lunge.. she was dog lame behind!

Likely worse after a treatment as she loosened up where she was holding herself to compensate. The osteopath recommended investigating, usually she is one to recommend strengthening so it just shows how bad it was. She thought she had a bilateral stifle problem.

I had a really good think and decided to return her last week. Even without the lameness she will be a lot of work, let alone add lameness in.

The worst thing is although the race yard have accepted her back, they’ve said she is being collected asap by a lady who sounds like a dealer. :(

I have felt extremely upset for her but not sure what else I can do. I'm on holiday at the moment and I’d of had to pay for a freelance staff to do her but the one at our yard had already refused/declined to deal with her again.

Such a sad cruel world. I’m so gutted it didn’t work out.
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Sorry you had an upsetting time but you did the right thing. There are more horses out there than there are good homes so it's not wrong to give your very good home to one that also makes you happy. Hope you find her soon.
 
What a pity the racing yard hasn't stepped up and done the investigations. High time they stopped expecting the amateur horse owner to mop up their industry waste. I wonder how much money she won in all those races, surely she deserves better than this. I'm so sorry, Hormonal Filly, heartbreaking for you.
 
rextherobber said:
What a pity the racing yard hasn't stepped up and done the investigations. High time they stopped expecting the amateur horse owner to mop up their industry waste. I wonder how much money she won in all those races, surely she deserves better than this. I'm so sorry, Hormonal Filly, heartbreaking for you.
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Totally agree.. they told me her owners are multi millionaires so why can’t they fund the investigations or have her PTS rather than passed around. Sad times.
 
Hi all, I still haven’t found a suitable horse. I’m trying to enjoy not having a horse to care for everyday. Problem is I have a low budget and with my previous horsey history, quite particular about what I enquire about.

I was tempted by a young mare in Ireland, but they had poor facilities for a vetting and was concerned she looked a bit off in videos.

I’ve seen this 4yo mare for sale, she flat raced 4 times and was pretty rubbish. Shes had winter off and coming back into work gradually.

The only thing that shouts out to me is her neck, is that standard for a ex racer?

She actually moves quite well in the videos. I’ve had 2 with neck pathology so I want to be wary..

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I think the neck could be a muscle development issue where working the horse in a different frame and improving the posture would help. My wobbler passed a 2 stage and externally the neck looks fine so you can't be sure without an xray, even then the defects are not always picked up. I would be more concerned about the pasterns on this one. It would be good to see her standing on a hard surface as they look a bit long and the angle not ideal - RF particularly.
 
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