Confirmation effecting movement?

[LucyPriory]

Photo obviously not focusing on feet but I'd agree they are not good.

Toe dragging behind is often caused by the breakover in front being delayed.

Your farrier may not be able to help - the cause is frequently dietary. Although poor farriery and back to back shoeing can make it worse.

I agree a good frog and digital cushion are vital. Heartbars damage them so I would recommend that you avoid using them.

Post some close up pictures of the hooves and we might be able to give you more solid advice.

 

[ktj1891]

Okay I will get some hoof pics for you all. Btw his diet is pure feed condition linseed milk thistle and glucosamine plus dry haylage ATM as far as I am aware this is a good diet as low in sugar as I can feed him to prevent him dropping weight. He is just about looking a better picture compared to three months ago.

 

[minesadouble]

In my opinion I don't think your horse is sickle hocked, I can see what Wagtail means about the angle of the cannon but for me a true sickle hock is more about the angle of the joint.

Stifle problems can often cause toe drag too, so that may be worth looking into too?

 

[ktj1891]

Yes he will be thoroughly investigated if after he's back in full work and there's no improvement.

 

[ktj1891]

Update checked my guy today and yes he does look marginally bum high about half an inch to an inch. There's nothing I can do about that though is there?

If I take photos of his feet will all you good people advise on them and what the best course of action would be. I will take pics tomorrow and upload!

 

[Wagtail]

Update checked my guy today and yes he does look marginally bum high about half an inch to an inch. There's nothing I can do about that though is there?

If I take photos of his feet will all you good people advise on them and what the best course of action would be. I will take pics tomorrow and upload!

Yes, there are a number of knowledgable 'feet' people on here. Two years ago I was a 'shoeing person' who only took shoes off if a horse was out of work. My sister who is a barefoot trimmer started to make me question this, and after doing my own research, both mine are now barefoot. This includes my 16.1 hh ex racer. He is now 'rock crunching sound' on all surfaces. I never thought a TB with thin soles and underrun heels could ever get like that. He would go hopping lame if he ever lost a shoe. You already have a good diet for your horse. You could improve it further by adding a supplement such as Pro Hoof. Looking at the photographs you have already posted, I doubt whether those feet would ever be improved without removing the shoes, at least for a few months, if not permanently. Even my farrier tells me that shoes are not good for horses, and that they would all benefit from a few months of going shoeless. I have seven horses here. Four are barefoot, two have front shoes only, and one is shod all round. He has many serious issues affecting his performance and is currently (probably permanently) unridable. I am not saying that shoes have caused all of his problems, but his feet are shocking. Underrun and contracted heels, skinny, practically non existent frogs, foot pain in the hinds. If he were mine, I would probably remove the shoes. However, he has so many painful issues, that I understand why his owner would not like to possibly add sore feet to those.

 

[ktj1891]

Yes, there are a number of knowledgable 'feet' people on here. Two years ago I was a 'shoeing person' who only took shoes off if a horse was out of work. My sister who is a barefoot trimmer started to make me question this, and after doing my own research, both mine are now barefoot. This includes my 16.1 hh ex racer. He is now 'rock crunching sound' on all surfaces. I never thought a TB with thin soles and underrun heels could ever get like that. He would go hopping lame if he ever lost a shoe. You already have a good diet for your horse. You could improve it further by adding a supplement such as Pro Hoof. Looking at the photographs you have already posted, I doubt whether those feet would ever be improved without removing the shoes, at least for a few months, if not permanently. Even my farrier tells me that shoes are not good for horses, and that they would all benefit from a few months of going shoeless. I have seven horses here. Four are barefoot, two have front shoes only, and one is shod all round. He has many serious issues affecting his performance and is currently (probably permanently) unridable. I am not saying that shoes have caused all of his problems, but his feet are shocking. Underrun and contracted heels, skinny, practically non existent frogs, foot pain in the hinds. If he were mine, I would probably remove the shoes. However, he has so many painful issues, that I understand why his owner would not like to possibly add sore feet to those.

Ekk omg I dont know what all those terms mean. Sorry for sounding so ignorant but surely my farrier should know these issues and be working to sort it, or maybe not?

I just feel I (although I am grateful for advice its very insightful) I am bombarded with all these things wrong with him. Sorry it sounds very selfish but hes had most of the winter off and I want to crack on and have fun this summer and if I remove his shoes he will most likely go lame and back to step one. Is there anything I can do to improve his foot condition without removing shoes?

I may consider removing his hinds if people think this will be beneficial. In regards to pro hoof, I believe Pure condition has everything in it the same as pro who just the amount is less?

 

[Wagtail]

Ekk omg I dont know what all those terms mean. Sorry for sounding so ignorant but surely my farrier should know these issues and be working to sort it, or maybe not?

I just feel I (although I am grateful for advice its very insightful) I am bombarded with all these things wrong with him. Sorry it sounds very selfish but hes had most of the winter off and I want to crack on and have fun this summer and if I remove his shoes he will most likely go lame and back to step one. Is there anything I can do to improve his foot condition without removing shoes?

I may consider removing his hinds if people think this will be beneficial. In regards to pro hoof, I believe Pure condition has everything in it the same as pro who just the amount is less?

If you can, I would order and read the book 'Feet First' by Nic Barker (you can get it on Amazon). It is written by a farrier. It explains everything you would need to know about feet. Fabulous book.

 

[LucyPriory]

If you can, I would order and read the book 'Feet First' by Nic Barker (you can get it on Amazon). It is written by a farrier. It explains everything you would need to know about feet. Fabulous book.

Oh - I thought it was written by Sarah and Nic, neither of whom are farriers. Which farrier was it do you know?

 

[Wagtail]

Oh - I thought it was written by Sarah and Nic, neither of whom are farriers. Which farrier was it do you know?

Sorry, yes you are right. I was thinking Mark Johnson wrote it along with Nic and Sarah. My mistake. He only wrote the 'Foreward'.

 

[ktj1891]

Have added hoof photos to post in hoof care section now for CC