heartbars - how long can he have them on for?

[seoirse]

My horse has heartbars on following his first ever attack of laminitis 12 weeks ago. He's had the shoes on 5 weeks now so is due a visit from the farrier next week I would say. He is coming on really well and is now sound in walk on concrete, though still a bit reluctant to trot on concrete, he will happily trot and canter on the school surface, though he is still a way from being the exuberant horse he was. He is still on 'box' rest, he is in at night and out in a small pen during the day as he was box walking when he was in during the day. Should I have the heartbars refitted when the farrier comes next week or should I go back to 'normal' shoes? I know its not wise to use heartbars for long periods as they can cause the frog to atrophy, and it is already looking pretty withered. I have left a voicemail for the vet thats been treating him but he's away for the next 2 weeks so I won't get an answer from him. I could try and speak to another vet at the practise. Does anyone have any experience of this?

 

[amage]

If he is meant to be on boxrest why are you trotting/cantering in the school?!? Ask the farrier re the heartbars...you pay him for his expertise!

 

[seoirse]

Because the vet told me to turn him out in the arena once a week to see how he is progressing/ how much he is willing to move about, otherwise it's blimming well impossible to see how much he is improving if he is only ever in the stable or in a 20 x 20 pen. The farrier wants to put regular shoes back on him, but is happy to put the heart bars back on if the vet recommends that, which he probably will. I was just wondering what other peoples experiences of heartbars short/long term were really as luckily for me I've never had to use them til now. Thanks.

 

[Kellys Heroes]

TBH our girl has had heart bars on now for nearly 12 months and we wouldn't dream of thinking about changing them at this current time...she's had them before for a few months then back to normal shoes for a few years until she started with Cushings and lami.
Our farrier said she's doing really well on them and her feet are recovering very impressively! (she had rotated pedal bones which are now apparently getting back to a more normal position). She's got her spirit back and is walking out in hand and trotting (in field) sound now for the first time in months.
K x

 

[seoirse]

TBH our girl has had heart bars on now for nearly 12 months and we wouldn't dream of thinking about changing them at this current time...she's had them before for a few months then back to normal shoes for a few years until she started with Cushings and lami.
Our farrier said she's doing really well on them and her feet are recovering very impressively! (she had rotated pedal bones which are now apparently getting back to a more normal position). She's got her spirit back and is walking out in hand and trotting (in field) sound now for the first time in months.
K x

Great to hear the heartbars are working well for your girl too. G's only had them on for 5 weeks, but the vet called me back last night and he wants them back on for another 6 weeks when the farrier comes, after that he said he can go back into normal shoes and we'll see how he goes from there. My farrier is great but he's very young and likes to have approval from the vet before he proceeds. It's good to know you are using them longer term though and she is happy and comfortable. Long may that continue!