Tr0uble
Well-Known Member
I need a bit of a sounding board I guess
Horse is currently barefoot and has been for over 3 years, having had his shoes off as a 3.5 year old and never footy or sore a day in his life. Horse is 7 year off 17.1hh ID gelding who was competing successfully (ish) at Novice level dressage, we were looking to make the move to Elementary when he went lame with a hind suspensory injury.
This was 8 months ago, he had PRP, shockwave and a lot of box rest/hand walking. A week ago he was signed off as sound by the vet, scans look amazing with fantastic fibre pattern and the small boy changes had completely reabsorbed along the Sesamoid.
Hes been back in gentle rehab work for a little while, with very regular physio due to lots of upper body muscular tensions where hes been compensating for the bad leg.
It was said to me yesterday that I might want to consider shoeing him as his work load increases not because hes not suited to barefoot, but because a hind shoe with a small lateral extension will offer the hind legs more support on a school surface, and help to support the leg as he starts to take more weight behind.
I like barefoot, Ive had all my horses barefoot, but if shoes are going to help the horse, then thats what Ill do my problem is that Ive had shoeless horses for so long that I dont know enough about the benefits of this type of shoeing!
Any thoughts?
This was 8 months ago, he had PRP, shockwave and a lot of box rest/hand walking. A week ago he was signed off as sound by the vet, scans look amazing with fantastic fibre pattern and the small boy changes had completely reabsorbed along the Sesamoid.
Hes been back in gentle rehab work for a little while, with very regular physio due to lots of upper body muscular tensions where hes been compensating for the bad leg.
It was said to me yesterday that I might want to consider shoeing him as his work load increases not because hes not suited to barefoot, but because a hind shoe with a small lateral extension will offer the hind legs more support on a school surface, and help to support the leg as he starts to take more weight behind.
I like barefoot, Ive had all my horses barefoot, but if shoes are going to help the horse, then thats what Ill do my problem is that Ive had shoeless horses for so long that I dont know enough about the benefits of this type of shoeing!
Any thoughts?