Farrier has cut back super long heels to normal length in one go........yikes!

[Flyingsolo]

Horse new to me, about 6 weeks ago, an older horse that had been at his previous yard for years doing his job, same farriers so I understand. Came with super long heels and long feet with really deep central sulcus splits between bulbs of both front feet.

I am an advocate of making changes in horses routines, life, foot balance etc slowly particularly after they have moved home and need time to adjust. So although his feet were long, it seems to have been like this for some time, I left it for some time before having my farrier (who I've not used for shoeing before as all mine are barefoot, but this guy is amazing and does a really fantastic job with trims and is highly recommended in the area by vets and everyone).

The problem is, he literally has taken this older horse's long feet and cut them right back to where they really ought to be in one go, and boy was it a lot of heel height removed! I had a family bereavement and didn't see the horse for a week or so after this shoeing, (grooms went in) but now I'm back he looks uncomfortable and like he is just not weight bearing on the back of his foot. It's not super obvious, but I can see there is a change.

I'm not sure what to do, but he looks like he is a bit over at the knee now. He doesn't appear lame but I can just see something is not as it was. It's really upset me, (family bereavement not helping me be rational either) I need some help. He has been field rested since this happened, but I'm just at a loss as to why the farrier really would take that much off in one go, what a huge transition for the horse, although I suppose lot's of horses transition from shoes on to shoes off in one go, which I guess could feel as much of a change to their body.

I've had him on danilon for a few days to see if that helps but I'm not sure it has.

What can I do? Do I just give him time off to adjust? I'm really struggling to cope with this right now and feel like he has just broken my horse

Thoughts appreciated. Thank you so much.

 

[blitznbobs]

hoof grows so I would give him a week or two off and see how he is … try not to panic just yet

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Your farrier shouldn't have done that but as the feet grow, I expect that the horse will become more comfortable. All you can do really is continu with the pain relief and wait, I think. Unless you could ask the farrier the build the heels up with wedges while you wait for the feet to grow.

 

[paddy555]

why did he do it? probably because he is only visiting every 6 weeks to trim. What is really needed in this sort of situation is to trim weekly (or even every few days) and to lower. the heels very slowly,
That is probably not possible for a farrier.

you describe really deep central sulcus splits so there is something you can to to help the horse.
I would guess the horse has thrush/fungul infection. This was not a problem with very high heels as the weight landed on the hard heels and no pain. Those high heels are now gone to the horse is landing on diseased frog tissue and it hurts so he tries to avoid putting weight on the back of the foot as he lands.

To help the horse clean the frog and treat it. Scrub out the frog, the grooves each side and especially the central sulcus. Get right down to the bottom of the central sulcus. Cotton buds or push cotton will down with your hoof pick and draw it out. I expect it will be black and grotty. Keep doing this till the cotton wool comes up clean.

I have no idea if t he farrier trimmed the frog but if there are loose flaps of frog cut them off. Scissors will work if you haven't got a knife. This will allow the surface to be exposed.

There are lots of ways to treat. I treat by standing/soaking in copper sulphate about 3 times say 3 days apart for each soak. Then. make sure you clean the frogs thoroughly daily.
As the pain from the frogs go he will start to load the back of the foot more happily. In the meantime avoid any surface that is going to be harsh to walk on eg gravel.

If he has to walk over a stony section then lay some carpet over it.

 

[Carrottom]

Has your farrier shod the horse or trimmed?

 

[Equi]

You’re already doing what you can for him so try not to stress about it, what’s done is done. Just give it some time and he will come good. Sorry for your loss.

 

[Pinkvboots]

You could pad the feet with a couple of nappies it will help a bit we did it with a foot sore horse and he was fine in a few days.

 

[PurBee]

The frog likely hasnt touched the ground in a long time so likely isnt strong and tough enough to be lowered onto the ground, so could feel a bit ouchy.
As already mentioned up thread, treating the frog for thrush and padding if you have nappies/evo pads/boots will help.

 

[PurpleSpots]

In addition to things mentioned above, I'd be concerned about soft tissue (tendon and ligament particularly, as well as muscle, fascia etc higher up) strain after going suddenly from high heel and less tension/strain down the back of the leg, to low heel and lots of pull on those areas.

If money's no issue I'd consider having x-rays done to thoroughly assess the feet now, but if not possible and the horse is sore it could be worth using boots with some heel padding to alleviate the strain down the back of the leg to the point where the horse is comfortable, and reduce the heel suppport each week or so to allow a gradual drop to the newly trimmed heels, using the horse's movement as feedback as to whether it was time or too soon to drop the heel suport a bit more.

With an older horse like that for many years, his body will have adjusted around his heels, so there is potential for muscle soreness and other knock-on effects higher up in the body too as a result.

I love copper sulphate for central sulcus issues as mentioned above, and have used fine crystals packed directly into the crevices to good effect with some horses.

I'm so sorry this has happened for you both, sounds like the last thing you needed to have to deal with right now.

 

[Flyingsolo]

why did he do it? probably because he is only visiting every 6 weeks to trim. What is really needed in this sort of situation is to trim weekly (or even every few days) and to lower. the heels very slowly,
That is probably not possible for a farrier.

you describe really deep central sulcus splits so there is something you can to to help the horse.
I would guess the horse has thrush/fungul infection. This was not a problem with very high heels as the weight landed on the hard heels and no pain. Those high heels are now gone to the horse is landing on diseased frog tissue and it hurts so he tries to avoid putting weight on the back of the foot as he lands.

To help the horse clean the frog and treat it. Scrub out the frog, the grooves each side and especially the central sulcus. Get right down to the bottom of the central sulcus. Cotton buds or push cotton will down with your hoof pick and draw it out. I expect it will be black and grotty. Keep doing this till the cotton wool comes up clean.

I have no idea if t he farrier trimmed the frog but if there are loose flaps of frog cut them off. Scissors will work if you haven't got a knife. This will allow the surface to be exposed.

There are lots of ways to treat. I treat by standing/soaking in copper sulphate about 3 times say 3 days apart for each soak. Then. make sure you clean the frogs thoroughly daily.
As the pain from the frogs go he will start to load the back of the foot more happily. In the meantime avoid any surface that is going to be harsh to walk on eg gravel.

If he has to walk over a stony section then lay some carpet over it.

Thank you. Yes we are treating the central sulcus issue with red horse products and had been since before he was shod with me. I have seen some slight improvement already so hopefully what we are doing is working. Thank you for your help. Much appreciated.

 

[Flyingsolo]

Has your farrier shod the horse or trimmed?

Shod

 

[TPO]

Would it be worth considering pulling the shoes and using EP pads in boots.

You could use other pads too and cut out the frogs so that the sole is supported but less pressure on his frogs.

Without shoes would also give him the chance to grow the hoof he needs at this moment. Barefoot hooves are also supposed to grow at a faster rate, but I don't have any science for that claim.

Xrays are a good shout. Also what penguintoes said about issues higher up is worth bearing in mind. Worth keeping an eye on legs and cold hosing if practical, along with gentle massage (or good grooming) on neck, shoulders, quarters kind of thing feeling for any tightness.

 

[Sanversera]

Sack the farrier and find a good b f trimmer.

 

[Squeak]

Is it worth ringing the farrier and seeing what he says and thinks? Is it possible he hasn’t actually taken as much off as you think? Or maybe he’s done something for a reason and it’s ok?

 

[Spirit7]

Horse new to me, about 6 weeks ago, an older horse that had been at his previous yard for years doing his job, same farriers so I understand. Came with super long heels and long feet with really deep central sulcus splits between bulbs of both front feet.

I am an advocate of making changes in horses routines, life, foot balance etc slowly particularly after they have moved home and need time to adjust. So although his feet were long, it seems to have been like this for some time, I left it for some time before having my farrier (who I've not used for shoeing before as all mine are barefoot, but this guy is amazing and does a really fantastic job with trims and is highly recommended in the area by vets and everyone).

The problem is, he literally has taken this older horse's long feet and cut them right back to where they really ought to be in one go, and boy was it a lot of heel height removed! I had a family bereavement and didn't see the horse for a week or so after this shoeing, (grooms went in) but now I'm back he looks uncomfortable and like he is just not weight bearing on the back of his foot. It's not super obvious, but I can see there is a change.

I'm not sure what to do, but he looks like he is a bit over at the knee now. He doesn't appear lame but I can just see something is not as it was. It's really upset me, (family bereavement not helping me be rational either) I need some help. He has been field rested since this happened, but I'm just at a loss as to why the farrier really would take that much off in one go, what a huge transition for the horse, although I suppose lot's of horses transition from shoes on to shoes off in one go, which I guess could feel as much of a change to their body.

I've had him on danilon for a few days to see if that helps but I'm not sure it has.

What can I do? Do I just give him time off to adjust? I'm really struggling to cope with this right now and feel like he has just broken my horse

Thoughts appreciated. Thank you so much.

Boots and pads asap for comfort. Thrush treatment. Deep shavings bed if in which I’d suggest. Speak to your HCP.

 

[southerncomfort]

Is it worth ringing the farrier and seeing what he says and thinks? Is it possible he hasn’t actually taken as much off as you think? Or maybe he’s done something for a reason and it’s ok?

This, plus is your horse definitely lame/sore?
As in....did you see what the farrier had done and then look to see if the horse was off? Or did you think the horse looked sore before you looked at the feet?

Not doubting you, but mention it because I'm a worrier and can convince myself any horse is lame if I squint at them long enough!

 

[Palindrome]

If it has been a week or 2, I'd be tempted to gently work the horse on a soft surface. If things don't improve, get the vet out.

 

[PurpleSpots]

Also what penguintoes said

This is one of my favourite autocorrects ever!!

If my username soon changes, this will be why .

 

[Carrottom]

I would speak to your farrier. If your horse is uncomfortable, suggest he comes back and has a look. If you don't, he won't know the effect in a few weeks time when he comes to reshoe.
Communication is the key ime.

 

[Flyingsolo]

I would speak to your farrier. If your horse is uncomfortable, suggest he comes back and has a look. If you don't, he won't know the effect in a few weeks time when he comes to reshoe.
Communication is the key

I am absolutely terrible at having ‘these’ conversations I know I need to but what would,I even say?

 

[pistolpete]

I am absolutely terrible at having ‘these’ conversations I know I need to but what would,I even say?

Exactly what you’ve said here.

 

[Squeak]

I am absolutely terrible at having ‘these’ conversations I know I need to but what would,I even say?

If you think of it as a conversation as more of a discussion of trying to work out what's going wrong rather than an awkward one where you're saying you think he's done something wrong then it's a much easier conversation to have. It could be along the lines of you haven't thought your horse has been quite right since he's been shod, does he have any ideas why or suggestions to help and you'd noticed he'd started trying to correct his feet does he think this could be it or contributing and next steps.

 

[PurpleSpots]

I didn't read well enough - I thought he was now barefoot. Sorry. I'd still be inclined to raise the heels if he's showing discomfort or any sort of gait abnormality though.

As for the conversation with the farrier... It's tricky... Could you turn it around, saying something about being surprised he'd been shod in the past with such high heels, as if that was the thing you're concerned about rather than the new foot balance, ask why he thinks they did that and how long he expects it to take for the horse to adjust to the new better heel height? And if there's anything he can suggest to help the horse adjust more quickly?

(I didn't realise there was a user called Penguin_Toes!! I did check for any comments by penguintoes before I wrote my earlier one, and have just checked again - sorry if I have missed one, but judging by the laughing reactions I hope I haven't and it's just ironic that there is indeed a user called Penguin_Toes!)

 

[honetpot]

Horse new to me, about 6 weeks ago, an older horse that had been at his previous yard for years doing his job, same farriers so I understand. Came with super long heels and long feet with really deep central sulcus splits between bulbs of both front feet.

I am an advocate of making changes in horses routines, life, foot balance etc slowly particularly after they have moved home and need time to adjust. So although his feet were long, it seems to have been like this for some time, I left it for some time before having my farrier (who I've not used for shoeing before as all mine are barefoot, but this guy is amazing and does a really fantastic job with trims and is highly recommended in the area by vets and everyone).

The problem is, he literally has taken this older horse's long feet and cut them right back to where they really ought to be in one go, and boy was it a lot of heel height removed! I had a family bereavement and didn't see the horse for a week or so after this shoeing, (grooms went in) but now I'm back he looks uncomfortable and like he is just not weight bearing on the back of his foot. It's not super obvious, but I can see there is a change.

I'm not sure what to do, but he looks like he is a bit over at the knee now. He doesn't appear lame but I can just see something is not as it was. It's really upset me, (family bereavement not helping me be rational either) I need some help. He has been field rested since this happened, but I'm just at a loss as to why the farrier really would take that much off in one go, what a huge transition for the horse, although I suppose lot's of horses transition from shoes on to shoes off in one go, which I guess could feel as much of a change to their body.

I've had him on danilon for a few days to see if that helps but I'm not sure it has.

What can I do? Do I just give him time off to adjust? I'm really struggling to cope with this right now and feel like he has just broken my horse

Thoughts appreciated. Thank you so much.

I had a NF pony with miss shaped feet, some almost oval, and her feet were so upright she looked like she was walking on stilts, I bought her at four. No farrier I had ever tried to change her feet, because obviously the whole of her leg had adjusted, ligaments and tendons to the angle of her hooves. She did PC, showing etc, was never lame, but her hooves where the subject of discussion at PC as her frogs did not touch the ground and were the size of peas. I had till her she was PTS and her feet were never a problem to her.

I would get rid of the farrier, for two reasons, he doesn't have the knowledge he is trying to make the perfect foot and has little understanding of how what he has done would affect the horse. The other reason is he should have discussed this with you before he did anything and allowed you take advice if needed.
I would not work the horse at all until the they start growing back to the horses normal shape, and get them trimmed to how they were.

 

[TPO]

(I didn't realise there was a user called Penguin_Toes!! I did check for any comments by penguintoes before I wrote my earlier one, and have just checked again - sorry if I have missed one, but judging by the laughing reactions I hope I haven't and it's just ironic that there is indeed a user called Penguin_Toes!)

It was my broken brain. I don't tend to look at poster names and just read the posts, those I don't want to see are on UI so I don't pay attention to not ignored names, iykwim.

I scrolled up to check I referenced the right name. I can only assume I had recently read a post by Penguin Toes, although every chance that cute name was just stuck in my head rattling around, then by the time I scrolled back down to my post purple spots came out of my fingers as Penguin toes. Sorry!!

Although I have epic autocorrect fails all the time so that was plausible too!

 

[Penguin_Toes]

No need to worry!

It's what my instructor used to call me when I was a child, I could never get my toes in.

Now I have no problem with that but a million other flaws have replaced it!

 

[Nancykitt]

There are some farriers who are exceptionally skilful when it comes to barefoot trimming.
There are also some pretty poor 'barefoot trimmers' around. We've experienced both.

But I would be very dubious about anyone taking off a large amount in one go. Horses need time to adjust to such big changes and it can affect their joints, balance, etc.
We are lucky enough to have had an excellent trimmer in Lancs and an equally good trimmer up here in Scotland. If a horse needs a significant amount of trimming, it would always be done gradually. Our trimmer in Lancs once told a client that their new horse would need trimming every couple of weeks for a while in order to adjust.

In spite of the farrier being highly recommended and well regarded, I think it would be good to get an opinion from a good specialist trimmer. In the meantime I second those who have recommended boots/padding.