For the barefoot geeks please....

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Laura1812

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Help!!

I have inadvertantly just taken on a Strassered horse - he is a new horse on a yard that I already trim on and when I went to trim other horses he was flat out in the field with an abscess - leg blown up the whole schebang...

I was asked my opinion on what I would do - so basically the horse was brought in (could barely walk), hot tubbed in epsom salts, poulticed, and given bute. I know the whole bute thing, but this actually was in so much pain it wasn't fair to not give pain relief. Vet is coming today.

Soles are paper thin -flexible to me just pushing with my thumbs - is walking on heels (slightly underrun) and toe callous - no wall, outer or inner any where near the ground. Quarters have previously been scooped, but horse has not had a trim for 8 weeks (to look at it basically has no foot - looks like its foot was hacked away yesterday and this is after 8 weeks growth), toes dumped, although flaring at the front.

The most odd thing is that there are quarter cracks (large ones) running from the ground to the coronary band on the lateral side of every hoof, front and back. There is not excessive flaring, or a clover shaped hoof that you would normally expect with quarter cracks.

Have any of you seen anything like this before? Any ideas on cause?

My main theory ATM is that they are due to just general complete lack of structure in the foot - virtually no inner wall - thin outer wall that has been dumped away at the toe. The toe can't be functioning correctly becuse of this so i'm guessing the quarters have taken most of the impact and they cant cope either?

The strasser trimmer used to trim every 5 weeks and heavily scooped the quarters which kept the cracks under control although they were always there. This horse always abscessed on more than one foot after every trim.

Poor owner was told that it was because the foot was so unhealthy before Strasser lady took it on - she is just uncovering abscesses that were waiting to come out?!!

Anyway, ideas on the cracks would be appreciated and this horse is esentially lame on all 4 feet.
 
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Boots and pads now so the horse can hopefully move in a more normal manner which in turn will stimulate proper hoof growth. Maybe even continue with the bute so the horse can move!! Can this trimmer be reported for animal cruelty?
 
he has a boot and pad on the non abscessed front foot - a pad taped on the bottom of the poulticed one.

Hoof wraps (perfect hoof wear) on order, but cant use them until the abscess has done its thing.

Hadn't even thought about reporting trimmer - might have a quiet word with the vet - owner is terrified that the vet will take the horse away because its been 'strassered'! Reassured them that this won't happen.

The thing is that owner also has another horse that was trimmed by the same strasser trimmer and its feet don't look too bad - it can walk and is sound and in work. Its just this horse, who's feet were already in crisis I believe when strasser trimmer took over....
 
This just makes me livid. I honestly thought that all Strasser Trimmers had been eradicated from this pleasant land. Please take copious photos and have a formal discussion with the vet before moving any further forward with this horse to protect your own reputation.

Have you ever looked at "HorseMocs"? For extremely sore cases like this one sounds I have found these theraputic boots extremely useful. The inside is soft and spongey and fully supports the whole bottom of the foot evenly (like solemates but softer) and would be my first boot of choice on a foot like this. Wraps might be a bit too much for such a delicate foot (with the amount of abscessing that's like to occur).

I'll PM you to discuss further but wish you luck with this patient. There is no excuse for cruelty like that and I would report any such trimmer in a heartbeat.
 
Another that didn't realise there were still Strasser trimmers out there. :(

Poor horse is all I have to add, assume that the diet is correct? If not already on it get him on mag-px, seaweed etc to encourage new growth, b*gger that we're at the wrong end of summer for turbo hoof growth.

I would get the trimmer (Strimmer more like it) reported. Not only are they cruel they give the rest of the barefoots a bad name.
 
Actually, I don't think all Trimmers who have studied Strasser methods trim invasively, and many have learned from others too...

Also we mustn't forget that Strasser has contributed a lot to understanding horses feet as well as some of the very negative stuff which is what I expect she will be remembered for.
 
I don't think there are any invasive trimmers in my area - although there are other horsey professionals who get a bit knife happy at times.

Obviously your priority has to be pain relief and restoration of comfortable movement. The suggestions regarding boots/pads et al are all the sort of thing I would consider - some of which can't be determined unless you are on the spot because every horse is so individual.

Once that has been sorted I would review diet because this horse has some serious repair and growing to do. I have seen horses (not badly trimmed) struggle to put out either quality and/or quantity because the diet was lacking.

I also use a lot of 'hedgerow' therapy to support the gut.

Good luck with that one - and definitely take before during and after photos because otherwise the next thing you know is that you will be blamed for it
 
The thin soles are a worry. Consider the possibility that this horse has serious metabolic issues. Does it have dimpled fat at the crest or tail? Does it eat like a maniac even when it's just been fed? Does it have sweet itch?

I don't doubt that it's been appallingly trimmed, by the way, but even so you shouldn't be able to bend its soles with your fingers :0

Good luck!
 
This horse always abscessed on more than one foot after every trim.
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Shouldn't happen. Absolutely not.

If you are trimming this horse then you should take plenty of pics to protect yourself.

Need to make sure that you get the feeding right and minerals right -without that the horse will continue to struggle. No sugars, no mollasses. Potentially restrict grass and use hay/hage

Just my own opinion from observation that molasses = greater afinity for abscesses and tougher time getting rid of them.

Sadly no way to fix this except to get comfortable and feed the hoof for growth.
 
amandap said:
Also we mustn't forget that Strasser has contributed a lot to understanding horses feet as well as some of the very negative stuff which is what I expect she will be remembered for.
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I'm sorry I beg to differ, she's done more harm to the barefoot movement than any angry farrier or vet. Did you know she was a small animal vet before her diversification??? Sorry she just makes my blood boil.
 
Some Trimmers as well as Strasser herself have to take responsibility for pain and suffering of some horses and I hope lessons have been well and truly learned. I have a feeling though there are still many who know better than the horses themselves.
 
cptrayes said:
The thin soles are a worry. Consider the possibility that this horse has serious metabolic issues. Does it have dimpled fat at the crest or tail? Does it eat like a maniac even when it's just been fed? Does it have sweet itch?

I don't doubt that it's been appallingly trimmed, by the way, but even so you shouldn't be able to bend its soles with your fingers :0

Good luck!
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No signs of metabolic issues whatsoever - he is a normal healthy animal at a perfect (not show condition) weight. He is a TB, not that that means anything.

Went again last night - hot tubbing and poulticing has helped - now have pus coming out of the large 1/4 crack - he is still being poulticed, buted and is now back in the field with boots and pads on. He is definitely a more comfortable horse. Still looks lame on the hinds too and has a very sore back but that is no suprise.
 
Laura1812 said:
Help!!
Soles are paper thin -flexible to me just pushing with my thumbs - is walking on heels (slightly underrun) and toe callous - no wall, outer or inner any where near the ground.

but horse has not had a trim for 8 weeks (to look at it basically has no foot - looks like its foot was hacked away yesterday and this is after 8 weeks growth), toes dumped, although flaring at the front.

The most odd thing is that there are quarter cracks (large ones) running from the ground to the coronary band on the lateral side of every hoof, front and back. There is not excessive flaring, or a clover shaped hoof that you would normally expect with quarter cracks.

Have any of you seen anything like this before? Any ideas on cause?

My main theory ATM is that they are due to just general complete lack of structure in the foot - virtually no inner wall - thin outer wall that has been dumped away at the toe. The toe can't be functioning correctly becuse of this so i'm guessing the quarters have taken most of the impact and they cant cope either?


Anyway, ideas on the cracks would be appreciated and this horse is esentially lame on all 4 feet.
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I was just rereading this post. Putting to one side how the horse has been trimmed - in other respects I have seen a similar horse.

thin soles - bending to finger pressure
heavy, infected cracking at quarters
two abscesses (at outside quarters in fronts)
thin outer walls
poor to nil water line
heaps of flare (which I would call deviation)

All of these had been caused by the application of NB shoes which were too big and fitted incorrectly.

Diet changed, comfort restored and in hand walking on soft surfaces and it got a lot better quite quickly. 3 months later and we have a fab water line, thicker soles which no longer bend, the deviation is growing out and the horse is sound to hack out on grass and soft surfaces.
 
Thats really interesting...

This horse has worn shoes, but a long time ago - he has been Strasser trimmed from the age of 6 and is now 15 and in that time has been in work for about 6 months - he has been lame on and off and abscessing for most of that time. He also has a back problem which I suspect will improve once he is comfortable and moving properly again.

His feet are quite flared particulalry on the currently abscessing foot - in fact his whole hoof loks like its starting to wander in the wrong direction!
 
Lucy - did your NB shod horse have lots of bruising at the tip of P3? I took shoes off a NB shod horse of a friends and the poor animal had huge bruising, very flat, thin soles and lots of flare....
 
Yes appalling and totally unacceptable but I have to ask didn't the owner suspect something was wrong? I'm lothe to think that there are owners who think regular absessing, lameness etc. is normal or acceptable!

I'm not defending the Trimmer or their methods btw. I have only the information provided on this thread.

There are bad Trimmers as well as 'bad' in any other profession but as an owner I'm the one who employs these people and the one who must take the ultimate responsibility for the care of my horses.
 
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I think they must go on a brain washing course for the owners.... they are told to just 'stick with it' its a process every horse has to go through and it will be worth it when they come out the other side.

Apprently owner was given short shrift oneday when the trimmer turned up in the rain and the horses were wearing rugs....

Poulticing, bute, stabling, rugs, boots all big no,no's!!
 
You're right Amanda, ultimately the owner is the decision maker and it is vital that each owner remains proactive and questioning in the care that they choose for their horses.

Unfortunately not all owners are confident to step away from something they've been taught to believe....otherwise religious cults wouldn't be successful either eh?
 
True but 'blind' following is a danger in all aspects of life and there are many cult features in the horseworld full stop imo! lol
I'm getting all millitant and us owners must educate ourselves a bit more so we can made better decisions for our horses and have more confidence to question. We mustn't forget our gut feeling too when something is nagging away at us...

We learn all we can about riding, gaits, correct ouline, best rugs, bits, bridles etc. but what about learning more about the horse itself. I find it fascinating myself but for me it's essential that I know the basics of what it is to 'be a horse', what a horse actually needs as opposed to what I think he must like, or what a healthy hoof looks like and how to encourage the development of one etc.
Ooops I'm off preaching again! lol
 
Laura1812 said:
Lucy - did your NB shod horse have lots of bruising at the tip of P3? I took shoes off a NB shod horse of a friends and the poor animal had huge bruising, very flat, thin soles and lots of flare....
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There was so much rot and infection it was kind of hard to tell because of the general discolouration. There was a big pit of grot at the toe of every foot, particularly the hinds.

The biggest surprise is how quickly the foot has come back, although there is a way to go yet.
 
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