heel support

[Shavings]

unsure if her eis the right place for this but lets try

in s hort chance did check ligament in febuary, did 12 weeks box rest then been out on field rest since with vet checking in

due to issues with vets needed a second option

got it yesterday was vet which insurance approved of who did scans then and there and took x-rays then and there (doesnt happen really with our local vets)

any way after 2 hour of fine tooth combing him, back end is fine just need muscling back up, front end turns out he did both check ligaments (left and right) at about the same time!)
left is still rather enlarged and after xraying feet (no signs of lami, or any issues) how ever the shoe lacked heel support which the vet feels he needs

so phoned farrier today had a little chat and have emailed oevr the xray, as well as asking/telling farrier if he wished to contact the vet for more/better detail on the matter he is free to do so (some times they need permission)

any way where lies the issue chance is well known for pulling shoes of (he only wears fronts) but stepping on them so currently has "short shoes" on according to the farrier who really doesnt want to put longer, or heart bars on

so where does that leave me?

what have you guys done?

am i mad to think bare foot might be better?

for the record he only started wearing shoes roughly a year ago and it was due to pressure from a high member of staff wanting his feet to "look tidy" (yes i am a push over and hate conflict!)

 

[Red-1]

I replied about this on another thread, but will go again...

Short shoes does temporarily help the problem, as the shoes don't be pulled off as easily. However, as they are shod short, the heels soon become underrun and toes get longer, the balance become off and the foot breakover is delayed... sooo... the foot takes longer to leave the floor, so soon even short heels isn't helpful to stop the shoe being pulled off and now the balance is wrong!

Yes, I think barefoot is often better. The heel can function and therefor become stronger. The toe tends to then naturally come back. Besides, no shoes to pull off!!!

However, I also believe it is better to trim them every week, the farrier/trimmer can show you how. Then they check your work (and correct it LOL) every 5 or 6 weeks.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Had a very similar issue and just did a long post about it just now!

My farrier did the same and now my horse is lame x rays just show the balance is off but even after shoeing to the x rays his still not right, so they want to scan the lower legs now so it's looking like soft tissue thing and chances are they will want remedial shoes on him.

So I was basically asking about just doing a barefoot rehab which I have done on this horse before but it wasn't easy.

I hope you get some help it's hard to know what to do for the best isn't it!

 

[Shavings]

thank you both for being so kind and helpful with your replies, i am leaning to going back bare foot he was at happier and so was i if i am being honest.

think half of my problems are from not wanting to upset others but i cant see him uncomfortable to please them

 

[nagblagger]

I ride mine barefoot, upset the others rather than your horse!

 

[ycbm]

for the record he only started wearing shoes roughly a year ago and it was due to pressure from a high member of staff wanting his feet to "look tidy"

I've never heard of a worse reason to put shoes on a horse than this one.

A barefoot rehab should sort out the lack of heel that your farrier shoeing short has left you with.
.

 

[ester]

Frank was short shod before he went lame. I'd avoid it at all costs.

 

[spotty_pony]

Barefoot or if the horse cannot go barefoot then find a farrier who will shoe with heel support… sounds like your farrier is doing this to make his job easier - so your horse doesn’t pull off shoes so easily - and not for the good of the horse. I learnt this the hard way with my boy who was shod like this for the same reason and I sadly lost him in February to Navicular. I now believe a great deal of his problems stemmed from the way he was shod and I wish I knew back then what I know now. Shod with heel support and a good pair of over reach Boots and your horse will be fine.

 

[Ceriann]

Mine is shod longer for heel support and will have a shoe break over winter to help keep on top of her foot issues. My farrier works with me to keep on top of her feet - he even persuaded my vet that taking her barefoot wasn’t a terrible idea! Find a farrier that can adapt to your horse’s needs not just consider their own.