Farrier recommendations in North Devon?

[PrincessPeach]

Not sure I'm happy with a farrier I have, switched to him as he's recommended & old farrier was v expensive & had put bars shoes on for year & bit to fix an older farriers awful work but was unsure if they were doing good anymore.
My pony doesn't quite seem comfy now, unsure if it's farrier change, or as bar shoes are slightly different (was straight at back, now heart shaped slightly at back)

Looking to see who's recommended & what I should do now

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

You might do better with this one OP if you post in the Regional board as more people from the SW would see it.

If you're in doubt as to whether your own farrier is doing a good job on your horse then I would firstly have a chat rather than tell him to go up the road in the first instance as there may well be some very good reasons as to why he is carrying out the work.

From what you say, it looks like there is a problem to solve, and that your farrier is maybe trying something different to see whether it makes an improvement or not; and so this is why you need to contact him in the first instance and have a chat.

Am just wondering why your pony needed "remedial" shoeing in the first place however? Was this as a result of a veterinary recommendation? If so, then were any investigations/X-rays/scans etc made to ascertain if heart-bars were necessary?? Was there any condition like laminitis which necessitated long-term remedial shoeing?

If you are worried, and these particular shoes which your farrier has currently fitted do not seem to be helping and indeed the opposite is happening, I would be inclined to also involve your vet at this stage and ask him to come and have a look, WITH your farrier also present. If it were me, I'd be wanting some answers to questions, and my past experience is that getting the vet AND the farrier together to discuss a situation and agree on solutions, is the best way forward.

Good luck.

 

[PrincessPeach]

Thanks for your reply. New so didn't quite think of the regional part.

A farrier I had (3rd back to current) put natural balance on him & destroyed the sides of his hooves in the process as he is pidgeon toed, confirmational. So my 2nd to last farrier & I agreed that straight bar shoes would be good to help his hooves recover.

However he then suggested to keep them & said the extra support may benefit him as his legs & joints weren't in fab condition from us wear & tear, & his SI issues.

After reading about the use for bar shoes I'm not convinced they're needed.
However my new farrier says if it isn't broke don't fix it..but even physio says she's not sure why he has them.

I have asked my current farrier why he's done his feet as they are (one looked longer than the other) & he said the feet are shaped different so should be treated individually.

Am I right in thinking a change to normal shoes, maybe even with a lateral extension to support were he's pidgeon toed could be the way forward?