Spyda
Well-Known Member
I am based in East Devon and have a 16.1 3 year old WBxTB filly with significant bilateral offset knee conformation.
She was last x-rayed 18 months ago and on the vets recommendation at the time, we chaged farrier to one who shod her with normal shoes in front but left a flare on the outer sides - up until recently......
In January her front feet were cut back in the conventional way before she was shod (the outer flare removed) because her feet were splitting due to the flare and her shoes were coming off almost daily. Her shoes stay on now, but since early March I have noticed her pidgeon toed conformation deteriorating, and she is intermittently lame in front now (once briefly in April, again briefly in May and again this week). A couple of days box rest and she will be sound again, but the underlying problem persists and obviously needs to be addressed. Initially I assumed she'd hurt herself frolicking about in the field, but now I'm convinced it's not just that.
She is not backed, nor in any type of work. Merely out at grass with other youngesters. Her ns front is more badly pidgeon toed than the os, and it is this pastern and lower fetlock joint causing the most problem.
She was sound on Sunday but very uncomfortable bilaterally in-front by Monday afternoon. There was warmth and a digital pulse on both fronts. I called the farrier that day to remove her front shoes. He felt the digital pulse in both legs but couldn't see or find any problem in the feet. He said keep her in and see how she goes - call the vet if she's still lame in a few days. The filly is presently box resting and more comfortable, although the ns remains warm around the pastern and lower fetlock.
The original vet treating the filly has now retired, although I have asked for a copy of the x-rays taken 18 months ago to be emailed to me. I am going to call out my alternative equine vet to look at her tomorrow (once the x-rays have been emailed through from the other practice.) I pretty sure the front lamness will be due to her limb conformation and her current shoeing.
Is there any method of trimming/shoeing which will assist this filly? She is big and heavy (600+kg) and the 'leaving a flare' method of shoeing is simply not viable any longer. The farriers I have spoken to locally just shrug and say what a shame it is, as she's an other wise lovely animal. None I have spoken to are into 'alternative' methods of shoeing and I am left feeling there must be something more that could be done to help the problem.
She's a big horse, breedy and fine skinned, cannot be used as a broodmare so if she cannot be kept sound at grass - I'm dreading the only alternative.
Is there any farrier or veterinary practice anyone knows where this problem could be treated to the best effect? I'd like to give her the best chance I can but just don't feel I'm getting the specialist advice I really need from anyone local. I just feel a bit lost
Sorry this is long.
She was last x-rayed 18 months ago and on the vets recommendation at the time, we chaged farrier to one who shod her with normal shoes in front but left a flare on the outer sides - up until recently......
In January her front feet were cut back in the conventional way before she was shod (the outer flare removed) because her feet were splitting due to the flare and her shoes were coming off almost daily. Her shoes stay on now, but since early March I have noticed her pidgeon toed conformation deteriorating, and she is intermittently lame in front now (once briefly in April, again briefly in May and again this week). A couple of days box rest and she will be sound again, but the underlying problem persists and obviously needs to be addressed. Initially I assumed she'd hurt herself frolicking about in the field, but now I'm convinced it's not just that.
She is not backed, nor in any type of work. Merely out at grass with other youngesters. Her ns front is more badly pidgeon toed than the os, and it is this pastern and lower fetlock joint causing the most problem.
She was sound on Sunday but very uncomfortable bilaterally in-front by Monday afternoon. There was warmth and a digital pulse on both fronts. I called the farrier that day to remove her front shoes. He felt the digital pulse in both legs but couldn't see or find any problem in the feet. He said keep her in and see how she goes - call the vet if she's still lame in a few days. The filly is presently box resting and more comfortable, although the ns remains warm around the pastern and lower fetlock.
The original vet treating the filly has now retired, although I have asked for a copy of the x-rays taken 18 months ago to be emailed to me. I am going to call out my alternative equine vet to look at her tomorrow (once the x-rays have been emailed through from the other practice.) I pretty sure the front lamness will be due to her limb conformation and her current shoeing.
Is there any method of trimming/shoeing which will assist this filly? She is big and heavy (600+kg) and the 'leaving a flare' method of shoeing is simply not viable any longer. The farriers I have spoken to locally just shrug and say what a shame it is, as she's an other wise lovely animal. None I have spoken to are into 'alternative' methods of shoeing and I am left feeling there must be something more that could be done to help the problem.
She's a big horse, breedy and fine skinned, cannot be used as a broodmare so if she cannot be kept sound at grass - I'm dreading the only alternative.
Is there any farrier or veterinary practice anyone knows where this problem could be treated to the best effect? I'd like to give her the best chance I can but just don't feel I'm getting the specialist advice I really need from anyone local. I just feel a bit lost
Sorry this is long.
