Back Shoe Sedation - HELP!

Oh right, yes I see. Her hooves are not necessarily brittle. When she has shoes on, they are in reasonably good condition (apart from being flat) and did not crack regularly when bare foot, they were just worn down very low. I have been researching feeds and it said that hi fibre cubes are suitable for laminitics (not that she is) but surely that means it does not contain much sugar?
 
stablegirl130 said:
I have been researching feeds and it said that hi fibre cubes are suitable for laminitics (not that she is) but surely that means it does not contain much sugar?
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If only that were true! Be very wary of feeds claimed by their manufacturers to be suitable for laminitics, they often still contain molasses - don't trust what they tell you, you need to read the little white label sewn into the top or bottom of the bag which has the full ingredient list in very small print. Also be wary of feeds stamped as approved by the Laminitis trust - again these often contain molasses and should be avoided.
 
stablegirl130 said:
Oh right, yes I see. Her hooves are not necessarily brittle. When she has shoes on, they are in reasonably good condition (apart from being flat) and did not crack regularly when bare foot, they were just worn down very low. I have been researching feeds and it said that hi fibre cubes are suitable for laminitics (not that she is) but surely that means it does not contain much sugar?
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Photos photos.............. :-)

Your very low might be 'normal', natural even.

A random pick http://barefoothorseblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/and-good-news-is.html

unsound before trimming (and diet change)

sound after

peripheral loading for oh so many reasons is not a good thing. The why not is for another day because I really must go to bed........ (very old ladies like me need their kip!) :-)
 
stablegirl130 said:
Thanks for all responses!

Handing front foot to him is how I overcame her behaviour on the front feet, however I havent tried this on the back since shes had them back on in the last 2 years. When I tried it when I first got her she let me hand it to him but as soon as he started to pull the shoe off she went for him. She does try to kick out and is just a general fidget and unlike the fronts, when she walks through him he cant hold on! And also has admitted to me he doesnt want to persevere when his business is at stake (fair enough), which reflects his impatience as after shes done this a couple of times he gets cross with her and gives up. Unfortunately he is not the type to want to help me get her better and is quite awkward in appointment booking etc. For this reason I have considered a different farrier, but as he does all the others at my yard, and is friends with most of the farriers in my area I am not sure how this would go down! She does have a spavin in one of her back legs but was told by the vet that it shouldnt cause any problems, however I have noticed that its got bigger but only in the last 6 months and obviously this issue has been going on for a long time.

The wobbles is a very interesting point, and I will definitely be up for giving it a go. Unfortunately the thing about her going barefoot is that a) I need studs in for x country, and b) my vet has advised I keep them on for the health of her hooves. I have tried to raise the hoof high on my knee and she is fine, its mainly the pulling off of the shoe. (not that we get any further than that anyway!)

When the vet picks up her feet, even if its just a front one she walks all over him. She has a very clever was of using her weight to get her own way! Although she does not try this with me so it is very difficult to get any improvements! She is on a basic diet of hi fibre cubes and hi fi original.

Louise - Love it! Cant live with them, cant live without them. Brilliant solution if it works for you! Unfortunately my mare goes up rather than down!
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Stablegirl I have had he who shouldn't be mentioned pass her on to other ones because she is a pain the worst is the new yard I am at now has one of the old yards farrier and he has said he will not do any of my horses just because of her will say the others (6) are all good with farrier so am on the hunt for a new one but so far as soon as I mention her problem they say no and my old farrier will not travel that far as it is in the wrong direction to him. Thank god my old farrier showed me how to file a hoof I'm sure I will get some tuts for this but old tom showed me loads over a 10 year period I would never do any one elses horses but am happy to know that I can do mine. One tip try carrots and parsnips or any thing that makes her think of some think else. good luck and I really hope that you sort this out. Horses why do we have LOL x
 
I am not a Parelli person by any means (cant bear it all) but I know a guy very well (South Wiltshire) who is a Parelli chap, but before hand was a farrier and he has sorted out many horses like yours who absolutely hate being shod and I have to admit he's blinkin good. Have seen him in action and have no way seen him abuse any horse. Maybe he could help.
 
Can I suggest you change farrier? My mare was pretty poor with my last farrier and it was because he used to fight her - tried twitching and shouting etc and she only got worse. I phoned round and round to get a good PATIENT farrier and eventually found a gorgeous young thing - he is lovely in more ways than one.....

He is patient and kind and she now just stands and lets him do his thing. She is barefoot at the moment but will shortly need fronts - will tackle the backs as and when but feel we will be able to crack it.

Key to it seems that when she starts to pull her hinds away - instead of just keeping on at her, he goes back to the front, picks it up, praises her and then tries the back again. It's like he has to back off and reset her. No pressure. I found this works when I work her too - she is green and I was lungeing her the other day and she threw a mini paddy and would not walk on, just stood and shook her head. Instead of pushing her I just stopped and gave her some time to stop and think and then she just walked on no problem.

Have a ring around the farriers - where are you?

I had two farriers before my current and both said that she needed "teaching a lesson" - I have only had her a year (6 months of which she was turned away with a foal) in the rest of the time I have had her I have figured out that some horses cannot be bullied - they can be directed in the right direction and you cannot give in and let them get away with it but you cannot bully a large headstrong mare.....if your mare is like mine she needs love, firm handling but kindness and no pain. Make sure your groundwork is spot on with her and the rest should follow.
 
Yes, have spoken to a behaviourist about a farrier change earlier and she thinks it sounds like a good idea, as if it is psychological and is expecting pain, then pulls away in expectation and gets told off for it we are just going around in circles.

Am in chelmsford in essex.
 
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