Farrier question " keep feet balanced" - normal or remedial?

[scoobydoo]

Hi, our pony has just returned from hospital with pasturn injury - he is normally shod all 4 feet. However, he has had his back shoes off and my discharge letter says " keep feet balanced but hind to be left unshod unless foot sore".

not sure if i just tell this to my normal farrier or i need remedial as i want to give my pony best chance of recovery.

any advice?

 

[Mo-Jo]

Normally they err on the side of caution with remedial shoeing so if they haven't recommended it then the probably think it won't make any difference.

But if you're not sure then bring it up with either your vet, the clinic vet or your farrier!

 

[fjordhorsefan]

I thought feet should be balanced for all horses, no matter if they are undergoing vet treatment or not? I would ask your farrier, let him see the discharge notes x

 

[Tiffany]

I thought feet should be balanced for all horses, no matter if they are undergoing vet treatment or not? I would ask your farrier, let him see the discharge notes x

^^^this^^^

 

[TwoStroke]

It's impossible to keep feet completely balanced all the time in shoes - after 10 days of the shoe going on the hoof will have grown sufficiently to alter the balance that the farrier set. Barefoot horses that self trim are the only horses who's feet remain balanced at all times.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

If the horse is on box rest (was this mentioned?) - he wont be able to self trim, so may need weekly/fortnightly trims to keep everything balanced. You wouldn't want to be shoeing and reshoeing that frequently - so shoes off during the recovery all round seems logical. Of course the horse must be comfortable too.