Disaster stations - Doodle's boots are rubbing!

[HufflyPuffly]

Ok, ok so I may be being dramatic , but we were doing so well!

I noticed two little scuffs on the front of her paterns the other day just below her fetlocks, thought that's an odd place for a scuff... Went for a ride last night and her boots made her bleed I'm so cross at myself for not putting two and two together before I used the boots again .

She's in the Equine Fusion boots which have been fab, stayed put even with hysterical cantering , so I'm a bit reluctant to shell out another x amount for new boots. Especially as I'm hoping her feet will change shape as she rehabs and so I'm thinking we will need to buy new ones eventually, but I was hoping to wait longer than 4 or so weeks...

Any ideas of how to stop the rubbing? I'm thinking padding where the rubs are, but not sure what to use, maybe get some thick socks?

 

[Gloi]

Socks work to some extent and a lot of makes of boots sell gaiters to use with them. Providing you do not ride in them for long enough to actually damage the skin, the skin will also toughen up in time to some extent. Another option which worked for mine when they were rubbing because of his foot shape is to put a pad in the boot to lift the hoof up a bit which alters the fit. That they are rubbing the front of the pasterns suggests they are coming up a bit high. If you keep having problems a different type of boot might be needed.

 

[ester]

Mens socks do seem to get used quite a lot! would neoprene pastern wraps work or be too short? different makes seem to be different widths.
http://www.robinsonsequestrian.com/shires-pastern-wrap.html

there are a couple of purpose made options but I would do a review search on them as I think the cavallos at least are not well liked.

http://www.equinepodiatrysupplies.c...Boot-Old-Mac-s-Multipurpose-Hoof-Boot-Gaiters
http://www.equinepodiatrysupplies.co.uk/Boot-Accessories/Cavallo-Pastern-Wraps

 

[HufflyPuffly]

Socks work to some extent and a lot of makes of boots sell gaiters to use with them. Providing you do not ride in them for long enough to actually damage the skin, the skin will also toughen up in time to some extent. Another option which worked for mine when they were rubbing because of his foot shape is to put a pad in the boot to lift the hoof up a bit which alters the fit. That they are rubbing the front of the pasterns suggests they are coming up a bit high. If you keep having problems a different type of boot might be needed.

Interestingly thinking about it I have just put pads in as she was still a little footy on un-even/ stoney ground, maybe these are the culprits! Will try without the pads and see if they rub, thanks for replying.

Mens socks do seem to get used quite a lot! would neoprene pastern wraps work or be too short? different makes seem to be different widths.
http://www.robinsonsequestrian.com/shires-pastern-wrap.html

there are a couple of purpose made options but I would do a review search on them as I think the cavallos at least are not well liked.

http://www.equinepodiatrysupplies.c...Boot-Old-Mac-s-Multipurpose-Hoof-Boot-Gaiters
http://www.equinepodiatrysupplies.co.uk/Boot-Accessories/Cavallo-Pastern-Wraps

Those pastern wraps actually look perfect! Though I could get socks in jazzy colours for her . My concern with the gaitors would be altering the fit of the boots too much, though I think me adding pads may have already done this! Ok will look at pastern wraps and see how we get on, thank you .

 

[ester]

I think the easyboot ones would have less effect on fit than the cavallos certainly.

I've finally got Frank's boots out after at least 18 months moth balling, he cut his frog on some flint hunting on monday so is being rather sensitive about it atm.

 

[HufflyPuffly]

Ok good to know, I may try socks first whilst waiting for the wraps to arrive, I can feel a whole new matchy matchy obsession coming .

Oh no poor Frank , think he's allowed to feel a little sensitive about that!

I'm on a little bit of a downer with Doodle too, in boots (except for the rub) she's brilliant, but we're really feeling it when bare currently. I know loads of horses seem to be footy at the moment but it does test your resolve a little! Will take some more pictures for comparision, but her white line looks loads better, but her medio-lateral inbalance is making her quite wonky... Think I may need to get someone out to trim her, but my farrier or find a trimmer is the question!

 

[ester]

Personally, and with her issues I would investigate the latter.

The yard farrier told me off yesterday for letting Frank's toes get too long (he wears them laterally rather than centrally so fails and keeping them short himself). He seemed to struggle with the concept that I don't like to trim just before 6 odd hours worth of hunting . Definitely get some more pics

I worry for Doodle with your matchy possibilities!

 

[HufflyPuffly]

So you think trimmer, I've messaged one need to get back to him actually! He said he's quite happy to come and assess first rather than just wanting to come and trim which I liked. I feel a bit lost with the number of trimmers out there, and the range of training/ qualifications they seem to have!

Haha I bet Frank is glad you didn't trim him , we made this mistake with Topaz the other year. Took her shoes off, didn't leave her quite long enough before hound exercise, two hours trotting on roads later and some very bruised feet!

Will take some tonight, they still look sad but at least not quite so much white-line damage!

Doodle adores the matchy matchy and attention

 

[supsup]

I've been using Gloves for years now, and have had to deal with rubs occasionally. Obviously, it's a different boot type with different closure, but when you get rubs more material isn't always the right solution. Sometimes, you need less material in a particular spot, and padding things up will just increase the pressure. After trying a lot of different options, I have given up on any extra material that is a fabric (such as socks, wrist bands, nylon stockings). It's close to impossible to get any of those over a muddy hoof without adding dirt in places where you don't want it, and they potentially hold on to mud exactly in places where you don't want it. I also found the extra step of cleaning/drying socks, cleaning legs and pulling them on too much hassle in the long run. When I need more fabric somewhere, I now tend to use neoprene, either scavenged from old gaiters, or bought at Boots (repurposed knee support made of neoprene, one side of which has velcro loop material).

Anyway, long story short, I would have a close look at what happens when the boot is on and you move the hoof. Can you stick your finger in the gap where the boot rubs and feel for what's putting on the pressure? Is it about friction, a rough spot (which might be helped by adding a layer, e.g. with a gaiter) or is it about pressure (where you might have to cut away a bit)?

 

[HufflyPuffly]

I wanted gloves originally or epics as we've used the original ones before, but her hooves are a slightly different shape this time round so went with the fusions.

I think it's more a friction issue than a pressure point, as it's the top of the velcro strap which is rubbing. Will try socks, etc, and removing the pads, but I may need to cut the top of the velcro down a little. Will have a good look tonight and see what the issue is .

 

[ester]

Ah so that is sort of internal wrap around gaiter bit on them?

 

[HufflyPuffly]

Yes I think it's the second part, the first layer looked too low, and outer (thrid) layer doesn't look like it would touch where the rub is, so I'm going with the second part! But need to put them on and get her to move so I can see as I'm not sure if it would be the pads or increase in trotting that is to blame, as it's a fairly new development.

 

[HufflyPuffly]

Feet pictures:

Poorly leg first (near fore) previously

And now

Off side now

Heel pic came out blurry doh!

Trimmer booked for next Wednesday!

 

[ester]

I think those toes could do with a little help

can you see the much steeper angle of the new growth up near the coronet.

 

[HufflyPuffly]

Yes cannot believe how much they've grown in four weeks! Hopefully a week won't be too long for her, maybe I need to invest in a rasp and some training for in between trims?

It does look very steep, do you think it will continue down like that? She's going to have some funny looking feet for a bit lol.

 

[FfionWinnie]

Is she able to walk on smooth Tarmac without boots? If so that's what I would be doing. The trimmer taking those toes back could make her lame unless they are very very careful.

Re the rubbing I hate to say it but I've never been able to stop rubbing with hoof boots if it occurs. I now prefer epics or renegades for this reason.

Her feet and very long and narrow which may preclude a lot of boots fitting her at the moment unfortunately. However the shape they are isn't what you want anyway so hopefully this will improve. Am I right in thinking she has cushings?

The new angle she is growing is far healthier and she's going to have lovely tight little feet in 6-9 months.

If she can't walk on tarmac then I would invest in a rasp.

 

[HufflyPuffly]

Is she able to walk on smooth Tarmac without boots? If so that's what I would be doing. The trimmer taking those toes back could make her lame unless they are very very careful.

Re the rubbing I hate to say it but I've never been able to stop rubbing with hoof boots if it occurs. I now prefer epics or renegades for this reason.

Her feet and very long and narrow which may preclude a lot of boots fitting her at the moment unfortunately. However the shape they are isn't what you want anyway so hopefully this will improve. Am I right in thinking she has cushings?

The new angle she is growing is far healthier and she's going to have lovely tight little feet in 6-9 months.

If she can't walk on tarmac then I would invest in a rasp.

I've not got her to tarmac to walk on as our lane is too stoney, but the concrete outside her stable she seems fine on. I could try and get her up the lane with boots then take them off for some in-hand bare walking? Well if I can stop the rubs!

Hmm maybe I should have stuck with getting epics, but as you can see her current hoof shape is very poor, she has more than a 2cm difference between length and width . She does have cushings yes, her feet seem to be her only issue thankfully but it's not making life easy!

Trimmer said he's coming out mainly to just assess her, and from my research is very highly recommended, so I'm hoping he can help not hinder! Is the tarmac walking to trim her feet herself as well as stimulating her hooves?

 

[ester]

Her feet do remind me of Gloi's cushings chap with their shape. If she were mine I would literally only be running a rasp round to put a roll on her toes, not really take much length off. That's all I ever do with Frank too cos he can't bloomin wear the straight. I think at the very least some support from a good trimmer will be helpful even if they don't do much actual trimming. (I've just text my ex-trimmer this morning!)

If you can get her up the road then take her boots off for some tarmac walking that would be great, it will stimulate and self trim.

 

[HufflyPuffly]

Ok, might have a nosey at rasp's and see if I can get trimmer/farrier to show me how to tidy her up whilst she's tranisitioning maybe?

Will see what I can do with getting her up the lane, how long/ far do you walk them before it's too much? Don't want her to get sore, though if I have her boots with me I can always put them back on . Between her and baby pony I'm foreseeing a lot of walking!

 

[ester]

I probably wouldn't rush to do anything yourself until they have fully settled down and transitioned.

 

[HufflyPuffly]

Good point, not sure I'd be confident enough to do it any way

 

[FfionWinnie]

I've not got her to tarmac to walk on as our lane is too stoney, but the concrete outside her stable she seems fine on. I could try and get her up the lane with boots then take them off for some in-hand bare walking? Well if I can stop the rubs!

Hmm maybe I should have stuck with getting epics, but as you can see her current hoof shape is very poor, she has more than a 2cm difference between length and width . She does have cushings yes, her feet seem to be her only issue thankfully but it's not making life easy!

Trimmer said he's coming out mainly to just assess her, and from my research is very highly recommended, so I'm hoping he can help not hinder! Is the tarmac walking to trim her feet herself as well as stimulating her hooves?

Yes because self trimming is going to be gentler on her whole body than a trimmer "reshaping" them. Obviously not going to work if she's sore hence if she were mine I would get a rasp and literally run it round the edge so you are removing the tiniest slither. Only if you feel up to it. I do all mine now but I am looking at self trimming perfect feet every day and the ones I'm doing (because they are out of work) have excellent feet and also were self trimming while in work so I'm just mimicking the action of tar with my rasp.

If you do try walking her on tarmac just do a tiny bit and build up slowly to see how she gets on would be my advice. The idea being you don't let her get sore.

If she's fine on concrete at the moment then it's worth a shot I think.

Do you ride her in the school bare? If so what's she like then? I find sand schools are abrasive enough to polish their feet up to a degree as well.

 

[ester]

currently having a fab convo about trimming

I only asked about the hole in his foot .

 

[paddy555]

based on my own experience of cushings and barefoot I would be very careful going without boots. Mine has nice looking feet and still cannot manage, I struggled for years to get him to manage before I knew he was cushings. Now I just accept boots for everything and have no problems. Unbooted for him is too much risk of abscessing. There is a difference between smooth concrete and tarmac which may have some loose gravel on it.

 

[HufflyPuffly]

Yes because self trimming is going to be gentler on her whole body than a trimmer "reshaping" them. Obviously not going to work if she's sore hence if she were mine I would get a rasp and literally run it round the edge so you are removing the tiniest slither. Only if you feel up to it. I do all mine now but I am looking at self trimming perfect feet every day and the ones I'm doing (because they are out of work) have excellent feet and also were self trimming while in work so I'm just mimicking the action of tar with my rasp.

If you do try walking her on tarmac just do a tiny bit and build up slowly to see how she gets on would be my advice. The idea being you don't let her get sore.

If she's fine on concrete at the moment then it's worth a shot I think.

Do you ride her in the school bare? If so what's she like then? I find sand schools are abrasive enough to polish their feet up to a degree as well.

Ok that makes sense, will try and get her onto the tarmac and see how she goes, can carry the boots with us so we can make sure she doesn't do too much. She's tentative going to the field over our stoney yard but not too bad so I'm still hopeful for her.

Not taken her in the school recently, she's a bit old and creaky for any schooling work, but may take her in and do some walk work with her. She's been lame that long she'll be horrified at the thought , also its a sand rubber mix so may not be as good for polishing?

currently having a fab convo about trimming

I only asked about the hole in his foot .

I did see , very brave to post in that group they can be pretty full on . Shall I add Doodle's pictures so they can see what a really long hoof is like .

based on my own experience of cushings and barefoot I would be very careful going without boots. Mine has nice looking feet and still cannot manage, I struggled for years to get him to manage before I knew he was cushings. Now I just accept boots for everything and have no problems. Unbooted for him is too much risk of abscessing. There is a difference between smooth concrete and tarmac which may have some loose gravel on it.

Well before we started treatment for Cushings she was crippled without shoes, but this time round she's doing very well, so I'm still optimistic that she may cope on more surfaces bare. She's also *touch wood* not been prone to abcesses so far, but I've always said I'm happy for her to stay booted if needed but do need to sort the rubbing issue!