Hind limb problems! Barefoot vs Shod

Lucky Lad

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My horse has been barefoot just over a year due to Collateral Ligament Damage in his right fore. He is doing really well, appears almost sound upfront but it was on the hard, on a circle the lameness was worse and I have not lunged him on the hard to compare. I've noticed some very positive changes in his movement too but it has been hard as he's also super sensitive to sugar/ starch.

Anyway, he's cow hocked, moves a little close behind and possibly has stifle problems/ spavin which is what I'll probably investigate next. I was wondering what people's thoughts are on barefoot or shod for these problems? He's a bit weak behind at the mo as we've taken it easy through the transition to barefoot so the plan is to get out hacking for 8 weeks before we investigate to see where we are. My farrier shod him in a particular way to help his hind limb conformation and way of going, undoubtedly the length of the toes are better barefoot. I'm just wondering if by fixing his front end I've compromised his back end? He's also had KS.
 
My horse has an old hind leg injury from 12 years ago which affects his gait a bit. If I shoe him behind, it becomes more and more pronounced, when he is barefoot and self-trimming behind, it is barely noticeable.
My feeling is that if a horse is compromised in any way, allowing him to grow hooves that help to compensate can only be a good thing. It's certainly been true for my horse.
 
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