Flash update

harrihjc

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The vet came last night for a second opinion and had a really good look at him. He has a continual lameness in his right foreleg, but also an occasional lameness in his left foreleg.

He has collapsed heels as his feet have got so long, which I knew and have been furious about for a long time, we have been let down so many times by farriers
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and although I'm kicking myself thinking maybe I could have done more, realisitically when you've phoned over 20 farriers begging them to come out and none will, there's not a lot more you can do
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Although this is a problem, it's not the only problem, but there's nothing obvious, so he's been referred to a specialist and will be moved to the equine hospital for further investigation.

Words cannot describe how worried I am, I keep blaming myself
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Aw hon, fingers crossed its is something than can be resolved with corrective shoeing. Have you tried the Farriers website thingy for a decent farrier?
 
If you can't get a farrier, could you look at one of those people who does foot trimming, jsut as an emergency measure until you can get hold of a decent farrier?

Poor Flash, I am sure he will be OK. How are things with you?
 
Yes Kat, I tried the farriers website and phoned every single one who covered our area.

I changed farrier after our last one didn't turn up, wouldn't answer his phone, didn't return my calls or messages then wouldn't come out for 3 months, we phoned every single farrier but nobody would take anyone on, we phoned some begging several times. We've had bad luck with our new farrier, he's not local but was the only one that would take us, and his car broke down on one occasion, and there was an emergency with his child last time, so it could not be helped, and now he's away on holiday.

The vet is trying to sort out a farrier now as it's a welfare issue which just sounds horrible, it has only been 7 or 8 weeks but his feet grow so fast, and also when he has his shoes taken off and what is done depends on when the hospital can take him, as they're concerned that it will be impossible to do the nerve blocks conclusively if the lameness is so slight
 
my desk at work is absolutely littered with info about horses legs, MRI and nerve blocking, I'm one of those annoying people that has to know and understand everything thats going on. Just thinking about it all brings on the tears and makes me feel sick, it's just horrible worrying about him so much
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your vet must have a farrier they use... ask your vet to use his/her influence.
trimming isn't difficult at all, i was taught by a farrier and do my own if their feet need a tidy up between farrier visits. i'd get the kit and have a few lessons, tbh. long toes/collapsed heels take a long time to happen, and that's not your fault, that's farriers not doing their job properly over a year or two imho.
 
kerilli, the farrier the vet uses is our usual farrier, and he's away, so she's looking for an alternative. As he was shod I couldn't trim or tidy up his feet even if I knew how, and didn't feel comfortable taking his shoes off myself. TBH he did have long feet when I bought him, but was due for shoeing anyway so didn't think much of it
 
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too busy apparently

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Hmmm now DO NOT TAKE THIS THE WRONG WAY but knowing farriers (and I know several, my best friends brother is a farrier, and I have several in my social circle) ...but is 20 farriers are telling you they are all too busy I would think that perhaps, even unwhittingly (sp) you have done something to gain yourself a reputation - eg not paying, naughty horses and no dicipline etc, or you are not trying hard enough to find a farrier that is free. What about others at your yard, and you book in at the same time as them?

Farriers (or at least the ones I know) are very money orientated and I have not known one to turn someone down umless it was for good reason (not paying,messing around, generally being a pain in the arse) yet.
 
FF, I understand where your thoughts are coming from as I'd be inclined to think the same, but we always pay upfront, are always on time and stay with the horses to make sure they behave, we've never fallen out with anybody! There is nobody else at the yard. My farrier from my old yard now lives in Wales, but he shod my mare for 5 years and never complained, and has even tried to help us find another farrier.
 
I've just spoken to the vet, and Flash is going next wednesday, and the vet is trying to get a farrier to come and take off Flash's shoes, so hopefully with her influence we'll have more luck!
 
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