Collapsed heels treatment and management

[helencharlie]

Have now spoken to my vet and we have agreed to take charlies shoes off and go barefoot on monday after the final set of xrays.
What are peoples of experiences of going barefoot with collpased heels and how does being barefoot help the hoof to rebalance itself? How long does this process normally take?
All experiences good and bad please

 

[bailey14]

Maybe you might gain the info you need through this link: http://www.barefoothorses.co.uk/trim.html

 

[Bosworth]

It will only help you if you have a decent farrier to trim your horse on regular basis. The toe has to be kept short and the hoof balanced at all times. So you still need regular visits from the farrier otherwise the hoof will spread and further the problem of the collapsed heels. I am surprised the vet the vet has said to take his shoes off. Normal practice is to shoe with side clips and set the shoe back to support the heels and ensure the toes are tight.

 

[peanut]

My farrier has put on eggbar shoes for collapsed heels and the corns that developed as a result. I'm also surprised that yours has recommended barefoot. What's the reasoning behind this?

 

[Jericho]

I think there are two schools of thought on this - many people have had good experiences of taking shoes off for collapsed heels but both my vet and farrier (after diagnosing my horse with navicular syndrome very likely caused by his flat feet / collapsed heels) have said the heels need the support / wedge heels to take the weight off his heels and natural balance shoes. We are also going to try equilox which is a flexible adhesive.

 

[BBH]

My horse has been retired for 10 years due to collapsed contracted heels. They tried heart bars aswell and they kept coming off in the field. The only person who could shoe him and keep him sound was the remedial farrier at Rossdales in Newmarket and the cost was extortionate and I couldn't realistically travel him hundreds of miles every five weeks to be shod.

 

[peanut]

[ QUOTE ]
(after diagnosing my horse with navicular syndrome very likely caused by his flat feet / collapsed heels)

[/ QUOTE ]

My boy with flat feet/collapsed heels in only 7. How long did your horse have this problem before navicular was diagnosed?

Now I'm worrying that we could be heading in the same direction.

 

[Jericho]

Roops - Well I have only had my boy about 9 months - he passed 2 stage vetting but over the last 9 months he hasnt been shod as he should have - no consideration that his feet obviously have a tendency to collapse at the heels and the result was bilateral lameness confined to hoof area - hence navicular 'syndrome' rather than a definite diagnosis. Xrays didnt show much so vet is now suggesting get a good farrier to sort out collapsed heels before we consider a MRI scan to see if there is soft tissue damage. I wouldnt necessarily say collapsed heels cause navicular and there are a lot of positive stories from people who have had horses with collapsed heels ( i know - i have spent hours reading them) so dont lose heart - the key is getting a very good farrier who knows all about this. No amount of medication / rest is going to sort a horse out if his feet arent right to begin with

 

[LadyRascasse]

i dont have any experience of going barefoot, but with my boy they used wedges ect which made his 10 times worse, my boy is now sound and wearing shoes, my only advice is make susre you have a farrier who knows what he is doing with remedial horses.