Help with share horse hooves

[JGC]

Yard has recently changed farrier and I am not at all happy with shoeing, I'd appreciate advice so I can pass on something a bit knowledgeable. Ashamed to say despite years with horses, I've always relied on the amazing farriers I've had and have a distinct lack of knowledge in this area. Photos were taken on flat ground, phone on the ground and as parallel to feet as I could make them, although the one from the front is wonky - I was trying to be a bit discreet ...

 

[BurntontheoutsideTurkey]

How many times has the new farrier shod these feet? They are yikes! but on the other hand it looks as though the farrier has provided heel support and is attempting to start moving the toe back, so he may be aware of how yikes they are. If you can, more photos (from underneath as well) are always helpful.

 

[JGC]

This is their third time. The owners took him to their place over the summer just before he was due to be shoed so he went for about 12 weeks before the last reshoeing by the old farrier but I don't think anything like this - he seems to have gone down a size over three shoeing for a start. He did have an abscess on his near fore in November after first shoeing by new farrier.

I will try to get more photos over the weekend. His heels are looking bad too, I'm concerned.

Below are two photos from 18 September - just before the new farrier - not exactly close-up as I didn't know I'd need to take comparison photos at that point, but I think they do give an idea it wasn't so bad. Or at least I didn't think so.

 

[BurntontheoutsideTurkey]

They are also not great in the earlier photos, but not really possible to draw conclusions from those, as you've acknowledged. It might be worth if you can asking the farrier (in diplomatic terms, and particularly now, while they're still relatively new) if they have any concerns and what they're aiming for. What does the owner think? Do they have any concerns?

 

[JGC]

Tried to get a lot today!

 

[JGC]

The blue are for the snow - we do need these, we had snow over Christmas for three weeks and will likely have the same a few times over winter.

 

[JGC]

The more I look, the more stressed I am about them

 

[BurntontheoutsideTurkey]

The whole foot is too tall/long and the heels are going in the direction of contracting but it looks like you don't yet have a bad central sulcus split visible on any of the solar views (I could be wrong). They need to be reduced in height so the frog can receive stimulation so the whole foot needs to gradually be made shorter - this would be easier/better done barefoot but I appreciate that's not your choice. Can you suggest it? Do you have barefoot trimmers in your area, or would the farrier be supportive of such a change? I'd also treat religiously for thrush particularly if there are any deep/split sulci so the horse is comfortable in the caudal foot.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I know this thread probably doesn't deserve this rant, but I've f*cking had it with some farriers. How some of them are allowed to literally butcher hooves and still maintain employment is infuriating. It blows my mind that some (farriers) think that this type of work is "good" or "ok" or even suitable for the horse at all.

I will worship the ground that a good farrier walks on and go out of my way to show appreciation. It's a hard job, but my tolerance for doing the job poorly seems to be getting lower and lower.

I just don't get who is teaching this crap, why they think it's ok, and it just goes into animal welfare territory. I get that this farrier is new to the horse, but still. I'm not impressed.

This isn't your fault OP, and one should be able to rely on a professional, but sadly, especially in this industry, you just can't sometimes good on you for taking notice of something being not quite right.

There's just a lot of height, toe, heel, and heels running forward. There's a deep central sulcus forming there too.

I agree with what Burnttoast has said. I had a horse of mine with similar issues, and barefoot worked wonders for him. He did so well that he was never shod again. A barefoot rehab is not a bad idea with this one. A good trimmer along with good nutrition (just mentioning that because it really matters to a barefoot horse) might be a good path to take. It'd definitely be something that I'd consider, if possible.

 

[Reacher]

Agree they look very long and underrun. Are the owners aware of what a good versus bad hoof looks like? If they left him 12 weeks between farrier visits it doesn’t sound like they are very clued up and the September photos don’t look great either. How does he stand - over at the knee?
What are the other horses on the yard feet like?
You need the owners on side to understand these feet need rehab and he is probably very uncomfortable (without getting them on the defensive … ) good luck and please let us know how you get on

 

[Zoeypxo]

Those feet are a mess unfortunately.

What does the owner think? Is owner open to discussion on the horses care?

 

[JGC]

Thanks, all for giving me specific points on what's wrong to feed back.

Owners are a non-horsey family with only a youngish teenager who rides. They are mostly guided by the YO but she's been off on training courses, various problems so really hasn't been on the ball about this.

About half the horses on the yard are barefoot and the trimmer is brilliant but doesn't want to take on new clients cause she's so busy. I might be able to persuade her if she saw how bad it is, but I'd also need the permission of the owners and YO.

I think the others who are shod aren't very happy, but the new person has been able to "follow" the work of the previous farrier whereas share pony's feet were already going off the rails.

I'm not afraid of pushing on this issue, just want to be the most informed about it as possible.

My last gasp effort will be to offer to transport him to my old farrier - who is absolutely amazing - for a couple of shoeings at least but I'd need to take half a day's leave so not exactly ideal ...

 

[Exasperated]

The blue are for the snow - we do need these, we had snow over Christmas for three weeks and will likely have the same a few times over winter.

? What exactly is it supposed to achieve? Apart from it’s been fitted with what looks like plastic edges protruding outside, tbh, if you’ve got decent snow to turn out or ride in, then that cleans out all the hoof grooves and crevices very nicely - and this horse looks like he could easily develop thrush, given the high heels, length, and the rest.
Studs / spikes prevent slipping on ice; snow balling will just knock out (altho sometimes feels like temporary stilts!); but probably better taking those shoes off, getting a decent, regular trimmer, and maybe some hoof boots while you’re rehabbing his feet.
If going to keep him shod, you really do need another farrier because those feet are a ‘proper pig’s ear’, sorry to say.

 

[Reacher]

The horse is lucky to have you OP. 12 years or so ago I was the owner who didn’t know better who allowed a farrier to let a horse get long under run feet. (Annoyingly it was because I’d ditched the previous farrier who was unreliable!*) As the heels were unsupported the horse used to shift its weight back and forwards between the front legs to ease the discomfort caused by trying to balance on his feet and was diagnosed lame by the vet. I’d not be surprised if your share horse was lame fit the same reason. I think you need to get the owners to understand how bad they are and how uncomfortable the horse will be ( lame?) . Depends on whether they just don’t have the knowledge or whether they don’t care either.

I agree barefoot would be the best way forward as really the horse needs trimming little and often to get it back into balance.
I might have a book with diagrams that clearly demonstrate to someone non horsey why it is so bad for the horse (it was comparing it to a chair with too short base of support)

You’re in a difficult position, I really wish you luck and would like it if you could let us know how you get on.


(*Nowadays I’ve given up on our local farriers and trim them myself, with oversight by a trimmer, at least as the owner I have this option)

 

[Nocturnal]

They’re far too long. If they were left 12 weeks once, I wouldnt be surprised if they’d been left too long before, and that’s half your issue, at least. Sadly the farrier can’t force people to get their horses cared for in a timely fashion, so the farrier isn’t the only one at fault here.

 

[anglo]

? What exactly is it supposed to achieve? Apart from it’s been fitted with what looks like plastic edges protruding outside, tbh, if you’ve got decent snow to turn out or ride in, then that cleans out all the hoof grooves and crevices very nicely - and this horse looks like he could easily develop thrush, given the high heels, length, and the rest.
Studs / spikes prevent slipping on ice; snow balling will just knock out (altho sometimes feels like temporary stilts!); but probably better taking those shoes off, getting a decent, regular trimmer, and maybe some hoof boots while you’re rehabbing his feet.
If going to keep him shod, you really do need another farrier because those feet are a ‘proper pig’s ear’, sorry to say.

Snow in my horses hooves balls up , it makes him uncomfortable , and its not easy to remove . The blue snow rim pads ensure the snow doesnt ball up in their feet .