Getting unbalanced hoof back in balance...

[wench]

Hoping someone may be able to help me here. My horse had an accident as a yearling, which I think involved some wire, and definatley her hoof. No major damage to hoof, just a cosmetic crack. Hoof is a slightly different size to other front hoof, but this is not of any concern.

Hoof was x-rayed in November, and shown to be out of balance (horse was slightly lame). Farrier came, readjusted, another x-ray showed hoof more in balance, but still a little way to go. Farrier said it wouldnt get any more balanced due to hoof growing at different rates.

Horse was then moved yards, had shoes taken off, and had a gait analysis done. Was sound without shoes, and analysis showed she was landing heel first.

Horse has now moved to another yard for re-schooling, and they wanted shoes putting back on her, which their farrier duly did. Sent copies of all old x-rays off for farrier if required. Horse then reported to be slightly lame on cracked hoof leg. Slightly odd I thought, so had hoof x-rayed again. Back to the same imbalance that it had in November.

Horse is due to move yards again, to bring her schooling on more, in a couple of weeks time. I have specifically requested that NO shoes should be put on the horse any more; as I am hoping that this will help the hoof to grow itself back into balance.

Any comments, or suggestions about how or if there is any way of stopping a hoof constantly being unbalanced would help... I am aware using as many different farriers as she has had is far from ideal, however the yard changes have been necessary.

 

[TwoStroke]

There are two general schools of thought on this. The first is that regular trimming should help to keep the hoof in balance. The other is that the horse ought to be left to rebalance it's own hoof according to it's needs. If you were to try this the horse would need to be doing enough work over abrasive surfaces to maintain it's own feet.

I have some experience of each, but neither of the horses were lame as a result of the original imbalance. So far I'm happier with the horse which I left to sort it's own feet.

 

[Leg_end]

I think you've answered your own question.. The horse is lame and unbalanced in shoes but sound and balanced without. Personally I'd keep the shoes off and see if you can self trim so you have the horse doing all the hard work.