Spangles
Well-Known Member
Hello,
We have a 14yo pony who has mild arthritic changes to hocks and also a hind suspensory issue (PSD), plus sacroilliac strain last year which touch wood, has been rectified by medicating at the time. She still hacks out very happily and enthusiastically up to 4 times a week but we don't really school her in the arena anymore as she's not overly happy and she doesn't need to go in the arena really.
Farrier has put hind pads on to lift heels (although ideally I'd like to see more heel !) and vet has now said once you start wearing pads you need to keep them on. This wasn't advised at time of shoeing by farrier so I hope I haven't made life difficult for the pony. Apart from anything else they are expensive !!!
Pony also has a history of knee PSD which was successfully treated with shockwave 5-6yrs ago but she can feel it a little when going downhill.
Front feet x-rays show nothing sinister other than foot balance needing to be addressed.
What are peoples experiences and recommendations of shoeing for both hinds and fore feet ? I really don't want clunky big old shoes on her and I've been told by vet that bar shoes change the flight of the hoof. She's been shod recently under vet instructions to the farrier but I'd like to prepare myself with some knowledge should the farrier suggest bar shoes or something ?
We have a 14yo pony who has mild arthritic changes to hocks and also a hind suspensory issue (PSD), plus sacroilliac strain last year which touch wood, has been rectified by medicating at the time. She still hacks out very happily and enthusiastically up to 4 times a week but we don't really school her in the arena anymore as she's not overly happy and she doesn't need to go in the arena really.
Farrier has put hind pads on to lift heels (although ideally I'd like to see more heel !) and vet has now said once you start wearing pads you need to keep them on. This wasn't advised at time of shoeing by farrier so I hope I haven't made life difficult for the pony. Apart from anything else they are expensive !!!
Pony also has a history of knee PSD which was successfully treated with shockwave 5-6yrs ago but she can feel it a little when going downhill.
Front feet x-rays show nothing sinister other than foot balance needing to be addressed.
What are peoples experiences and recommendations of shoeing for both hinds and fore feet ? I really don't want clunky big old shoes on her and I've been told by vet that bar shoes change the flight of the hoof. She's been shod recently under vet instructions to the farrier but I'd like to prepare myself with some knowledge should the farrier suggest bar shoes or something ?
