Barefoot newbie question about PSD and hock spavin.

[Nickles1973]

I have posted this elsewhere but I am hoping for more replies from the HHO faithful!

I started towards taking my ex-racer's shoes off in early July due to a front end lameness which had been diagnosed as an imbalance in his n/s front pedal bone. I had started investigations with the vet for a hind end problem but thought that going barefoot would most likely help rather than hinder.
I changed his diet and then about 3 weeks later my farrier took the unconventional step of taking his front shoes off and replacing them with Vettec plastic shoes which allowed his hooves to transition more gradually to going bare. His back shoes had to stay on through his lameness investigstions as I couldn't risk the vet assuming he was lame due to the lack of shoes.
Fast forward 6 weeks and his front hooves had grown dramatically and the back of his hooves have begun to change. His soles no longer give under thumb pressure and he is comfortable standing on the concrete outside his stable. (previously unheard of) Last Thursday my farrier took his vettec shoes off and also removed his hind shoes.
He looked quite happy on Thursday but seemed a little sore on Friday which I suppose is to be expected. Our yard is extremely stoney (think 3inch pebbles spread over the ground to aid drainage) and the field is like lumpy concrete so I think he's doing well considering.
Everyday since though he has looked a little better.
However, today my worst suspicions were confirmed and the vet has diagnosed bilateral suspensory damage after already diagnosing early signs of hock spavin and fetlock arthritis.
Straight away the vet is talking about having him shod in rolled toe'd lateral extension shoes and I am left not really knowing what to do for the best.
I made the decision to take him bare to try to ensure his long term soundness but I'm left feeling like if I don't put the "special" shoes on I am in fact doing the opposite.
Does anyone have any advice they can offer me which would help me argue my case to my vet? He is talking to Sue Dyson tomorrow and will report back to me with what he considers to be our plan but I'd like to challenge his shoeing suggestion with a reasoned arguement.
Sorry for the essay, I didn't realise it would be so long. Thanks in advance

 

[muff747]

This yahoo group is for DSLD or ESPA but it is similar to PSD and causes all the different forms of arthritis including ringbone and spavins etc.
If you join the group, you can read the advice for ongoing care and management of the condition. It costs nothing and only takes a few seconds to fill the form in and then they will send you a confirmation that you have been accepted.
BTW, they do recommend barefoot and you will find the advice again on the group.
Good luck
PS my reason for keeping my TB barefoot is because even the added weight of the shoes would do nothing to help his tendons and ligaments and I want his feet to be able to work naturally without the added tork and inflexibility of having shoes nailed on. His feet can be trimmed in such a way as to help with breakover etc so I can't see any benefit to having steel nailed to the bottom of his feet.

 

[Nickles1973]

This yahoo group is for DSLD or ESPA but it is similar to PSD and causes all the different forms of arthritis including ringbone and spavins etc.
If you join the group, you can read the advice for ongoing care and management of the condition. It costs nothing and only takes a few seconds to fill the form in and then they will send you a confirmation that you have been accepted.
BTW, they do recommend barefoot and you will find the advice again on the group.
Good luck
PS my reason for keeping my TB barefoot is because even the added weight of the shoes would do nothing to help his tendons and ligaments and I want his feet to be able to work naturally without the added tork and inflexibility of having shoes nailed on. His feet can be trimmed in such a way as to help with breakover etc so I can't see any benefit to having steel nailed to the bottom of his feet.

Hi muff747, thanks for your reply. Which is the group you refer to? Is there a name for it I can google?

N. x

 

[TwoStroke]

My TB was diagnosed with PSD earlier this year. The vet initially recommended remedial shoeing, but after some discussion he agreed with me that a barefoot rehab was his best option. I also went for box rest and shockwave, which seemed to do the trick, but shortly thereafter TB went lame elsewhere in the same leg .

I've only just really started the rehab bit, but am seeing some promising improvements in soundness. I don't think anything could have convinced me to shoe, however.

 

[Nickles1973]

My TB was diagnosed with PSD earlier this year. The vet initially recommended remedial shoeing, but after some discussion he agreed with me that a barefoot rehab was his best option. I also went for box rest and shockwave, which seemed to do the trick, but shortly thereafter TB went lame elsewhere in the same leg .

I've only just really started the rehab bit, but am seeing some promising improvements in soundness. I don't think anything could have convinced me to shoe, however.

Thank's for that TwoStroke, that sounds promising. I am yet to discuss actuall treatments for the psd as my vet want to consult with the AHT first but shockwave was mentioned. He also x-rayed my boys stifle so tbh unless that is also arthritic by the time you count his arthritic fetlock and pastern, hock and now the psd there is isn't a lot right with his back legs

 

[TwoStroke]

Thank's for that TwoStroke, that sounds promising. I am yet to discuss actuall treatments for the psd as my vet want to consult with the AHT first but shockwave was mentioned. He also x-rayed my boys stifle so tbh unless that is also arthritic by the time you count his arthritic fetlock and pastern, hock and now the psd there is isn't a lot right with his back legs

I know how you feel . My daft TB only has one leg left that he hasn't damaged yet.

My line of thought was that I would probably never acchieve long term soundness with this horse unless I could restore correct biomechanics. That means good feet. If he's still lame with good feet, then I've given it the best shot I can, and I'll just have to accept that he'll be retired. I'm not about to give up without a fight, though .