argh! shoeing help needed!

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gingerspice

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Quick background - my horse has suffered from more and more hoof problems over last 18 months, been told numerous times shoeing not helping and finally changed farrier last month. New guy came out this morning and said my decision, but 6 weeks with all shoes off wouldn't hurt and would let feet rest and recover and grow out. He said if I wanted to keep working horse, then he could put shoes back on as hooves weren't as bad as he'd thought.

What to do?
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I hunt horse through the winter and usually event him up to July then he has some time off, but since March he hasn't done anything because of feet problems (had him checked by vet and its nothing more sinister than corns and puss in foot) so I've pretty much written any eventing off with him this year.
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Is 6 weeks sensible time off for this? What would you do?!
 
I'd say six weeks off without work and no shoes would be great, expect him to be a bit foot sore for the first week or so but I'm sure it will be beneficial for him
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i say give the feet a break and when you are on the break give her a supplement to help the hoof grow back harder and stronger as well!
 
Hi

My horses foot problems started last February '08. He lost a shoe in the field and then had a bruised sole and abcess after abcess. He couldn't keep a shoe on longer than two weeks! Xrays showed inflammation of the pedal bone due to pressure on the foot and bad shoeing. I decided to take all shoes off and give him time to grow more horn but to be honest it didn't work as the quality of hoof was so bad it just chipped off. The vet recommended imprint glue on shoes - they were fantastic - very expensive at £150 a pair but my insurance company paid for them. In the meantime I got his feed right as well as adding a hoof supplement. I also changed to a really good farrier and since then his feet are really good, its taken a long time - 15 months. My insurance company are also paying for the hoof supplement.

At one point I thought I would have to retire my boy - he was only five at the time, but it was just so depressing not being able to ride him.

I now know just how important it is to get the quality of the horn right with the right nutrition and to find a really good farrier that understands your horses needs as an individual.

Good luck!
 
Thanks for your replies - decision clearly made I think!
hallarider - very true, good farrier very important, as I learnt the hard way. I'll start another thread on it, but any recommendations on hoof supplements?
 
Hi GingerSpice

I have my boys on Newmarket Hoof supplement. From the vets it costs £68 for 1.5kg but i think you can get it cheaper on the internet. I also feed them black sunflower seeds and equilibra.

I do hope you get your horses feet sorted. Good luck and don't give up!
 
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