Hoof Imbalance

[Hollybushlizzie]

Is there anybody that’s in the same position as myself
Mare diagnosed with hoof imbalance in June 19, got a new farrier and things seemed to be going well, started to trip, thought I’d take my mare to the vets where I could have an appointment with a top farriers, he was excellent addressed the imbalance with a spiral shoe, all good and we came home with notes for my farrier to continue etc, unfortunately that didn’t happen!!
so now I have another carrier who was recommended by the top farrier and we are now feeling a lot more confident.
Obviously I know that through compensating she can be sore through her neck and shoulders so we have physio sessions and work on fascia release, just wondering who else is or has been in this situation
How many shoeing cycles did it take before you felt you had your horse back in top order?
She’s fresh comfortable and happy within herself, but I know her stride my just take a little extra time to be back 100%
We have our second set from our new carrier on the 9th March, we are doing her every 5 weeks.
She was landing outside first, then in the last moment inside.
So obviously this was compromising her joints
She’s turning 7 and I’m just so angry and disappointed that we have had these issues, and I don’t quite understand why there’s so many stories where people have had similar issues, surely every farrier should be able to balance a hoof?!
But to look on the positive side of things she’s a lot happier within herself than she was
And walked off far better this time rather than previously with the old farrier
Last time she was actually tender, this time she was perfect.
Do you spend more time doing rd work? Or do you spend time in an arena while the process is ongoing?
Thank you
Sorry if I’ve rambled
It’s been such a pain thinking you find the issue, find the right person, only to realise it wasn’t correct and you have to find another farrier
But as I said earlier this chap has spoken identically as the top farrier did at the vets with what we are to do. So I’m feeling better

 

[ycbm]

I've resolved several horses with foot imbalances barefoot. Have you thought about, or has anyone suggested, taking her shoes off and letting her find her true balance for herself?


.
.

 

[AdorableAlice]

Been there and got the T shirt, lovely young horse ruined. Thankfully the new farrier working alongside the vets have patched the horse up. Probably 4 sets of shoes (every 5 weeks to prevent flare) got him comfortable. We are 16 months on now and he is sound but has to be managed very carefully weight wise and no trotting on the road. He is a very big horse.

The future is unknown, hard ground will never be in his favour but hopefully he can have a happy life.

 

[HappyHollyDays]

Try him barefoot. I’ve had my 10 yr old since he was 3 and he also has a foot imbalance and can’t wear shoes. He self trims most of the time and my BF Farrier just checks his balance and tidies up and rolls the toes if they need it. For hacking he wears boots all round.

 

[Hollybushlizzie]

I've resolved several horses with foot imbalances barefoot. Have you thought about, or has anyone suggested, taking her shoes off and letting her find her true balance for herself?


.
.[/QUOTE

Been there and got the T shirt, lovely young horse ruined. Thankfully the new farrier working alongside the vets have patched the horse up. Probably 4 sets of shoes (every 5 weeks to prevent flare) got him comfortable. We are 16 months on now and he is sound but has to be managed very carefully weight wise and no trotting on the road. He is a very big horse.

The future is unknown, hard ground will never be in his favour but hopefully he can have a happy life.

its shocking that farriers are messing our horses up isn’t it
So very frustrating

 

[Hollybushlizzie]

I've resolved several horses with foot imbalances barefoot. Have you thought about, or has anyone suggested, taking her shoes off and letting her find her true balance for herself?


.
.

The farrier I saw at the vets was confident that his way would help 100% and I could feel she was so much better, but obviously towards the end of the cycle my farrier on my yard went back to his way with me thinking he was following instructions
My vet and the farrier both thought I’d be too restricted barefoot
It was something I was thinking about when she walked away from the last set tender, but since I’ve changed farrier her first set of the remedial shoe she walked and trotted up happily

 

[ycbm]

Do you compete at cross country? There shouldn't be any restrictions for anything else after a hopefully brief transition period. You can hack in boots, compete dressage in boots for a few months with a letter from your vet, showjump on surfaces or soft ground.

.

 

[Hollybushlizzie]

We haven’t done any Xc yet I’ve friends who compete barefoot I’m not against it at all, I’m just going with what the farrier at the vets suggested and the farrier I’m using now who was recommended by Jim Ferrie as they both are singing from the same hymn sheet.

 

[ycbm]

Wish I had a tenner for every vet and farrier I've heard advise against getting the shoes off horses that did just fine without (some saved from a bullet).

I'd be rich.

.

 

[Hollybushlizzie]

Wish I had a tenner for every vet and farrier I've heard advise against getting the shoes off horses that did just fine without (some saved from a bullet).

I'd be rich.

.

The farrier that saw her is one of the best he holds the highest qualifications I know where you are coming from But I do feel confident now I have the right team
I just posted as wondered how others were getting on in similar circumstances

 

[ycbm]

He doesn't hold any qualifications in working barefoot horses, it's not in the syllabus. All his training is to put metal on horses feet.

If you are happy with your farrier, then carry on. My own experience with extremely experienced farriers is that the horse knows better where foot balance is concerned.

.

 

[Hollybushlizzie]

He doesn't hold any qualifications in working barefoot horses, it's not in the syllabus. All his training is to put metal on horses feet.

.

All?

 

[Michen]

I *think* what has kept my Connemara sound in front so far is letting him wear his own feet and following his pattern when being shod. It means I try to make sure he has a decent stint out of them so we can see what he really wants to to (interesting last time he wore them level, having always needed them “unlevel” to land level if that makes sense).

I do shoe for various reasons but both vet and farrier are sympathetic in their approach I guess, we work on a level landing rather than a perfectly level looking hoof.

 

[JFTDWS]

I'd lose the shoes too, tbh. But I do understand it's hard to go against the received wisdom from the experts you're engaging with - but when people suggest a [normal, not high level xc / similar] horse will be "limited" barefoot, I do wonder if they're really on board and aware of everything that can be achieved without shoes.

 

[ycbm]

All?

Yup. All. Nothing in the syllabus whatsoever about keeping horses working barefoot. Some get training, but only if they are apprenticed to a farrier with working barefoot horses on their books.

Farriers without that are taught to trim for a shoe, but not to trim for working without them. And so those have no idea what work barefoot horses are capable of.

It's absolutely amazing to take the shoes off a horse with unbalanced feet (and many don't look unbalanced at the time) and watch them untwist.

 

[Hollybushlizzie]

I'd lose the shoes too, tbh. But I do understand it's hard to go against the received wisdom from the experts you're engaging with - but when people suggest a [normal, not high level xc / similar] horse will be "limited" barefoot, I do wonder if they're really on board and aware of everything that can be achieved without shoes.

Why would you loose the shoes tho? The trimming that previous farriers have done has caused the imbalance?

 

[JFTDWS]

Why would you loose the shoes tho? The trimming that previous farriers have done has caused the imbalance?

Because feet are very good at correcting themselves, when allowed to do so. Putting shoes on, unless you have an exceptional system (and I think Michen's is probably that), tends to prevent that sort of self-correction.

(fwiw, one of mine went rather peculiar due to a shoeing / hoof balance issue, and has dramatically improved without them)

 

[Hollybushlizzie]

Yup. All. Nothing in the syllabus whatsoever about keeping horses working barefoot. Some get training, but only if they are apprenticed to a farrier with working barefoot horses on their books.

Farriers without that are taught to trim for a shoe, but not to trim for working without them. And so those have no idea what work barefoot horses are capable of.

It's absolutely amazing to take the shoes off a horse with unbalanced feet (and many don't look unbalanced at the time) and watch them untwist.

My mare was landing outside first without her shoes on? I actually had a BF chap out to see her

 

[ycbm]

My mare was landing outside first without her shoes on? I actually had a BF chap out to see her

There are so many factors which could be involved with that, that it would be pointless to comment.

But as a barefoot advocate, the last thing I'd be doing with a horse landing unlevel would be to shoe it.

.

 

[be positive]

I'd lose the shoes too, tbh. But I do understand it's hard to go against the received wisdom from the experts you're engaging with - but when people suggest a [normal, not high level xc / similar] horse will be "limited" barefoot, I do wonder if they're really on board and aware of everything that can be achieved without shoes.

We took one into the vets a few months ago she had a tight annular ligament on one front, both had thickened tendon sheaths and an op was being considered but as she also had mild KS we went in for her to be looked at by a visiting surgeon to see where he would start, his first comment on seeing we had taken the front shoes off in preparation for whatever was going to happen, was 'well she will be sore without shoes so not much to look at with the fronts until she has them back on' he did decide to leave the KS and to inject her hocks before moving on to the rest if and when required.
The shoes have stayed off, gut instinct was that it would help, the legs have gradually improved, she is now back in relatively full work, her feet may well have been causing the issues further up, she does not wear them evenly but is totally rock crunching and always has been so they will stay off as it seems to have fixed her without her going through a fairly serious op, loads of box rest all because the vet was not on board with working horses barefoot and certainly would not have suggested it as an option.

 

[Goldenstar]

What did the horses xrays show ?
Your horse is young I would be getting the shoes off and giving a decent shoeing break before getting Jim to shoe it for twice and then get back to your regular farrier
These problems are complicated and it’s two simple just to say why could my original farrier not do it .
I have never ever seen a farrier who can balance a foot by eye like Jim can , however you will a series of xrays to be sure you are getting this sorted .
Spiral shoes are very hard to get right and they are Jim’s specialty you will need to get on top of this and train your eye so you are very sensitive to noticing change .
if you are worried then get the horse back to Jim to check .
I cannot stress strongly enough that if you want your horse to get to ten you need to get this right .

 

[Gloi]

My mare was landing outside first without her shoes on? I actually had a BF chap out to see her

The problems with horses landing unevenly start higher up the limb but show in hoof wear and balance. The horse will wear the foot towards a balance it needs itself. Take some video of her from the front and look how she is moving.

 

[soloequestrian]

Have a look at this blog post http://rockleyfarm.blogspot.com/2012/01/hoof-imbalance-how-it-affects-parts-you.html
There are plenty others on that site if you find it interesting (http://rockleyfarm.blogspot.com/p/key-blog-posts.html)

 

[Wheels]

My horse had poorly balanced feet last year resulting in a soft tissue strain. I changed farriers which started to improve things but decided the only way to really sort it out was to remove the shoes. We are nearly 5 months in now and his feet are looking so much better and the balance improving all the time. We actually have the beginnings of a heel buttress. So exciting!

And we are back in work and doing well although haven't started jumping again yet, will leave that another couple of months just to be sure in terms of the strain.

Still not rock crunching yet but I dont think that's too far away yet.

I would agree with the others re. Farriers, they are trained to shoe and they can get tunnel vision on the subject. Some of course are more open to and more proficient with barefoot. My own farrier was dubious but said he would support me and he has done his own research into different types of trim and is doing a great job. I also had to go on a steep learning curve to be able to look after my horses feet in between trims, get the right feed and provide the right type of exercise. I certainly have a happier and sounder horse for it.

Good luck