Hoof wall changes

[SuperCat007]

Hello,

Anyone got any thoughts or advice?

Horse is fine, but he was shod last week and the farrier reported that the inside of one of his fore feet is very straight which means the shoe overhangs the hoof wall. Talked about what could be the cause and he said bony changes “probably the pedal bone has dropped”

Now predictably 3 days later Horse stood on shoe and shoe came off so I’m waiting for the farrier to come back (this was in the stable).

Horse is 26 but still in full work, workload has been increased but not changed drastically since he was last shod. Feed the same. He is on pellet bedding which is put in unsoaked and I have had hoof issues when he was previously on wood pellets. No history of laminitis.

Vet will be doing his annual EMS test in the next couple of weeks. But he’s not lame, barely even seems uncomfortable without the shoe.

Has anyone else seen this? Any advice for what I should be asking the vet/farrier (or new farrier?) or looking out for?

I will put him back on a hoof supplement as well.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I would firstly change my bedding and see if that makes any difference. Start with the simplistic things and go from there I hope it isnt serious

 

[ycbm]

In a 26 year old I would be almost certain that is due to bone changes making him alter the balance of his foot to avoid causing pain. I would want x rays of the foot, the fetlock and the knee.
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[ycbm]

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[Gloi]

I can't see how a shoe that sticks out from the hoof wall on the inside is ever going to stay on. It will get stood on by the other foot as this one has.

 

[SuperCat007]

I would firstly change my bedding and see if that makes any difference. Start with the simplistic things and go from there I hope it isnt serious

Thank you. Me too. It’s on the list, he’s on a yard which all uses the same bedding so am going to have to figure the best way to do it.

 

[SuperCat007]

In a 26 year old I would be almost certain that is due to bone changes making him alter the balance of his foot to avoid causing pain. I would want x rays of the foot, the fetlock and the knee.
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Yep, my thoughts too. However, as he had a good exam by the vet at the end of January and has been shod every 6 weeks it seems quite a drastic change without him showing signs of pain…

 

[SuperCat007]

I can't see how a shoe that sticks out from the hoof wall on the inside is ever going to stay on. It will get stood on by the other foot as this one has.

I know right?! Would you consult another farrier as well? He can’t wear over reach boots 24/7!

 

[ycbm]

Yep, my thoughts too. However, as he had a good exam by the vet at the end of January and has been shod every 6 weeks it seems quite a drastic change without him showing signs of pain…

I knew that was something wrong with mine for 3 years before we could get him to show pain, I'm afraid. The hoof change will probably be to avoid pain, as well.
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[Barton Bounty]

Thank you. Me too. It’s on the list, he’s on a yard which all uses the same bedding so am going to have to figure the best way to do it.

Possibly try sawdust?

 

[SuperCat007]

I knew that was something wrong with mine for 3 years before we could get him to show pain, I'm afraid. The hoof change will probably be to avoid pain, as well.
.

Ah interesting it took that long until he showed pain. My boy is totally not ready for a slower life and is an absolute monster when not in work so I’m just praying his body keeps him going (for both our sakes) for a while longer.

Am speaking with vet today and see what they suggest and he already has his appointment in a couple of weeks for his bloods.

 

[Maxidoodle]

Could he go without shoes? It sounds as though he’s going to keep pulling them. I’d be tempted to try boots. Might be worth seeing if there’s another farrier to get a second opinion, obviously x-rays will be the only definitive way to find out what is really happening. I’ve found all of mine are far better on shavings, I absolutely love wood pellets but I found they seemed to soak the moisture out of the hoof.

 

[SuperCat007]

Could he go without shoes? It sounds as though he’s going to keep pulling them. I’d be tempted to try boots. Might be worth seeing if there’s another farrier to get a second opinion, obviously x-rays will be the only definitive way to find out what is really happening. I’ve found all of mine are far better on shavings, I absolutely love wood pellets but I found they seemed to soak the moisture out of the hoof.

I wish he could. Have tried but as he has arthritic changes (obviously at his age) he’s never been able to cope and hooves don’t cope. He always used to be barefoot in winter & cope fine until he turned about 20/21 and he stopped coping so well.