Conformation Faults, Splitting Hooves, Lameness and Outlooks?

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Boodle

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Without going into too much detail...

.... my farrier believes my ponies splitting/cracking/opening hoof is caused by her conformation and the way she places and uses her foot.

She has had multiple problems with her hoof splitting, most recently having a nail horizontally across her foot to hold it together whilst on 8 months of box rest.
Her front shoes have 2 clips in an attempt to provide more support to the hoof.

She has been out of work and has only been in the field of late because of her foot problems.

Just when I considered getting her fit again, she has gone lame today. Only very slightly, but I can see it.

She has a new/fresh crack in her fore despite all the precautions we've taken.

Last time she was in for 8 months in an attempt to sort it.

What more can I do? She will not remain field sound anymore.
She has hock spavin and she is 18yrs old.

I desperately need suggestions.... pictures can be provided upon request, though they are quite drastic.

Kirsty
 
P.S Meant to add, I am phoning farrier first thing tomorrow (he only answers phone between 7am and 7:30 am for questions/appts).

Just in case you think i'm just leaving her to it.
 
hes probably right, but perhaps a second opinion on how she should be shod? perhaps he knows whats wrong but not how to fix it? only another farrier or specialist would know so maybe go to someone who does a lot of remedial work and see if they can do anything else before you give up, sometimes a fresh pair of eyes works wonders! obviously, without upsetting your farrier if poss.....!
 
i 2nd what silverspring says. have you thought about barefoot? i have a chronic laminitis pony who also has a severe crack down her foot. she went barefoot and slowly the crack is knitting back together.
i could go further into my stories of barefoot but ill not bore you (if you want me to tell you i will, and i know how some people dont like to hear barefoot sotories) but ive got nothing to say bar great things. i wouldnt discount trying natural barefoot
 
When i got my new coblet, the vetting picked up a medio lateral foot imbalance - if this is present the hoof(s) will not be symmetrical looking from the front, and the heels will be a bit wonky from the back. This was mild and was sorted after a few half sets.

However my TB (who was sadly PTS a couple of weeks) had odd shaped feet - this was found to be advanced navicular, due to changing his way of going.

Dont know if this sheds any light?
 
If you go down the barefoot route be very careful who you get to trim.
Like your mare, my boy has bone spavin and I have been told that in order to keep him comfortable and aid movement/recovery, I've to make sure his feet are well trimmed/shod with correct breakover etc, you don't want to fix one problem and then create another!
 
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