Barefoot rehab advice and support please?

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jessieblue

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Hi all, I have posted a few times before about my horse who was diagnosed as having collateral ligament desmitis left fore more so than right after mRI scan. He had very low grade lameness, in fact was sound when looked at by the vet on a couple of occasions, but I continued to notice him being "footy" when turned sharply on concrete. Eventually he was worked up and showed a 1 - 2 1/10s lameness lunged on small circle on hard ground. I had dabbled with him having a low grade lami all spring/summer too as his feet would sometimes be furnice like and elevated DPs. X rays showed no rotation but there is some interesting flare on the toes of his feet so Im still not sure that wasnt an issue. Now his feet have been cool and stable since having his shoes off 10 weeks ago. I posted photos of his feet before and generally they look really good. Much more support on the caudal hoof and he has gone from being footy everywhere but on grass to being quite comfortable on most surfaces even in trot on concrete. He is still footy over stony ground, sometimes even the odd little stone catches him, sometimes he is fine when you would think he would be ouchy! The thing I am worried about is he is still a bit ouchy when turned tight on the concrete. Its not much, but just a little scratchy. Left more than right fore which was the worst affected foot and the weakest structured hoof. This hoof has been slower than the right hoof in everything, the right fore was heel first landing a long time ago and the left fore has only just started last couple of weeks! His nutrition is good and he is now being ridden in walk on grass every other day with the odd tiny little trot, which he seems very happy in. Before that he was walking in hand every day on gravel, roads and the menage. Plenty of turnout although now switched back to days so more time in stable sadly. The grass has been rich again here last couple weeks and im not sure this hasnt caused him slighly more footiness.

My question really is, should I be worried about this footy turning thing? Would you expect a barefoot horse of 10 weeks to be comfortable to turn on concrete yet? Could I be expecting too much here? Of course I am concerned that I am not getting him comfortable enough to allow the strain off his collateral ligaments and maybe I should back of on exercise? Also I am still torn on whether to send him to rockley for rehab, but I have come a long way so far and his feet are changing for the better. I guess I am just having a little wobble and hoping I can get things right to give him the best possible outcome. My horse is one that hasnt been the conventional vet route, I opted out from the remedial heart bar route and decided to go straight to barefoot. I hope I am doing the right thing and Im sure I am, but its worrying as Im afraid I do more harm than good in my lack of expertise. Thanks for reading.
 
Here are the pics of the left fore from when shoes came off to 2 months later. Last pic was 3 weeks ago and there is quite a lot more hoof growth again, he is due for trim next week. Less chipping now.



 
Could well be that the quarter needs relieving. Barefooters (and some shod) which are long in the quarter (of the hoof) often have difficulty with turns. As do some where the heel or toe isn't right but check quarters first. Speak to your trimmer.
 
Thank you Lucy, thats interesting as this was really his main issue all along. I did feel he was all but sound turning a couple weeks ago and now it seems slightly uncomfortable for him again. Nothing changed except the rain (evil grass again) and that his feet seemed to have grown a lot in the 3 weeks since he was last trimmed, in fact he was hardly trimmed as he had been trimming himself pretty much. I will ask him next week when he comes. Many thanks
 
For ten weeks he's doing really well. Lucy has given you something to consider, but if that makes no difference I would say that you have nothing to worry about given the progress you have made. Well done :)
 
Thank you cptrayes! Some days I just get a little negative wobble on! Its quite lonely being the only barefooter in my area. Thank goodness for you guys on here and fb. Good advice and I will soldier on, Ill maybe use boots to exercise him for a while and have a word with trimmer next week. Im sure we will get there, we have to. Hes a special boy!
 
You have some great changes going on there. All the broken bits are poor hoof quality that need to come off and where there is weakness and nail holes.
Remember some concrete isn't smooth as a babys bottom and there can be uneveness that isn't obvious. Keep moving on what he finds comfortable but important to keep moving to help build up the important structures in the feet. My boy gimps over lumpy concrete as if the sole is thin or weak and steps ona stone or lump there is nowhere to go. Dare I say u need to brave it out.
We've been barefoot nearly a year now and compromised feet take some time to get better.
Chin up, keep strong, keep taking and looking at the pictures as its a good reminder on how far you have come! :)
 
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