Barefoot Info Please

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Rosanne L

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Horse is currently at very start of barefoot rehab and is in EPS pads and boots on fronts only 10 mins a day x2 walking to and from field and boots off turned out. My concern is that she is now looking very stiff (lame) at the back, particularly right hind and unable to flex through. Could.this be to do with the pads? She also looks more pottery on stones when boots are off compared to before i started with boots and pads.

For context, she has suffered with lamness for around 10 months now. Been up to Dicks twice but still unsure the cause so shoes are off and trying barefoot. We use a barefoot trimmer and she is having regular physio to help with sore spots. Vet back out to see her shortly too.
 
I wouldn't expect a horse at the start of a barefoot journey to be happy walking on stones. If your ground is frozen, it sounds like you are in Scotland, then I wouldn't expect a horse to be sound on that sort of surface, in fact there are probably quite a few barefoot horses who struggle with frozen rutted ground, there is also the question ATM of winter laminitis which makes a horse unhappy on it's feet. The feet need to be kept warm at all times. If you google winter laminitis there is lots of info.

I wouldn't think pads are your problem.

I am struggling to work out exactly what you are doing. Is she stabled at night, on what bedding, presumably not booted. Then she is led out barefoot for 10 mins? on what surface, then she goes in the field without boots for how long and what is the field surface ie grass, wet mud, frozen? when did the shoes come off. What is she fed.
Have Dick ruled out laminitis. Winter laminitis is not the same as "normal" laminitis. Presumably she has been tested for cushings and EMS.
 
Yes tested fot EMS but not cushings. No, the ground isn't frozen just now. Routine is in at night and turned out in day with no boots. Bedding is straw with rubber mats. Has previously been tested for EMS and levels came back normal. Laminitis has been ruled out yes. Shoes came off september but only recently started shoes and pads beginning of Jan hence the only 10 mins a day in them.
 
not up to me to tell vets what to test but my horse clearly had PPID (cushings) at 6 and I know others also have started that young. I would TRH test. First sign was foot problems.

I appreciate that it is muddy and that you have to make sure boots don't rub but my first idea would be to leave the boots on all day in the field. You can experiment with pads. You can either buy thinner ones, try without pads or make your own. Presumably you are using cavallos. If you are worried about rubbing you can use gaiters or socks. I would try to have her unbooted in the stable and booted at all other times and see what happens.

With newly barefoot horses who may even have a problem to start with it is a case of constantly experimenting to find our what works both for the horse and what someone can do in their accommodation situation.
 
So shoes have been off since Sept. Boots used since Jan. Why did you start with boots after 4 months without? Was she looking more footy in December?

I wouldn't blame the pads necessarily, walking for them in 10 mins could cause an issue but I'd look elsewhere first. Trim, diet, compensation for the feet elsewhere in the body.

Take videos for the vet and to watch progression.
 
Hi. Yes shoes off since end of Sept. I'll start from top so it is clear what's gone on. Horse came up lame on the lunge May 25 in right fore. Vet out who nerve blocked and then x-rayed. Nothing significant was seen so we just rested her. After no improvement we went to Dicks in July and had MRI and CT scans. Swelling was found in coffin joints. A consultant vet came to see her, look at MRIs and decided on Steroid injections. At two week review she was worse then ever but weirdly still right fore but worse anticlockwise on the lunge. Horse went back for 2nd MRI and CT in December and again swelling was seen in fetlock, pastern and coffin joints. Awaiting another appointment with consultant vet end of Feb. The reason for only trying boots since Jan was because it was initially decided to just give her a year off but after still being lame in Jan, i started to consider a proper barefoot rehab and got an equine podiatrist on board who reccommended EPS pads. To be honest, i am at end of tether and over analysing every little thing which is why i was asking about pads and back pain. I really don't know what to do anymore. She is on one danilon a day which makes her more comfortable. How lame she would be without the danilon, i don't know and frankly I am scared to find out.
 
She wears equine fusions with the pads. EP said not to do to much time in pads to start but I suppose no reason I can't take pads out to leave on in the field.
 
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