Clicking rear feet?

[FionaMc]

I'm a long time forum reader, first time poster, so hello!

I have just got my mare back after she'd been on loan for around 5 years, following a bout of laminitis that the loaner either didn't notice (!) or didn't inform us of. The outcome is a 5 degree rotation in all 4 feet, but she's now perfectly sound and back in work.

Now I've started riding her again, I've noticed that in trot, particularly when she's really going forwards (eg. whilst out hacking and wanting a canter) her back feet have started making a very loud clicking noise that sounds distinctly like metal hitting metal rather than a joint clicking type noise. The obvious answer was that she is over-reaching. Bought her some over-reach boots. Clicking continues.

After examining her shoes for looseness (she's been re-shod recently) and legs for injuries - I can now only conclude it's a very low brushing behind. I've been unable to look at her from the ground whilst she's making this noise (need to get her on the lunge really).

Does this sound likely? Could it be a result of poor muscle condition? She hasn't been schooled for quite some time and is definitely lacking strength and suppleness? Will a fetlock boot improve things? Would like a few opinions to check I'm not missing anything obvious...

 

[cellie]

Do you have any brushing boots you could use on back legs to eliminate brushing from behind.Mine brushes and fetlock boot stopped noise and you could see marks on boot almost immediately with new boots.

 

[potty_4_piebalds]

my old pony used to do this. the back foot would reach forward and catch the front shoe causing a clicking sound a bit like over reaching but metal to metal i believe its called forging. hope this helps

 

[FionaMc]

Do you have any brushing boots you could use on back legs to eliminate brushing from behind.Mine brushes and fetlock boot stopped noise and you could see marks on boot almost immediately with new boots.

I can try some brushing boots on her tonight - just wasn't sure they'd help as the contact is obviously coming a lot lower down her legs. Will report back!

 

[FionaMc]

my old pony used to do this. the back foot would reach forward and catch the front shoe causing a clicking sound a bit like over reaching but metal to metal i believe its called forging. hope this helps

A-ha! Think you've struck gold - had been missing the obvious answer that she's not hitting the heel of her front shoes, but the underside, hence the over-reach boots making no difference. From a quick read about reasons it would also answer why it's only noticeable now as she's lacking muscle and fitness...