Horse box rest/shoeing

Flying_Form

Well-Known Member
Joined
19 January 2022
Messages
131
Visit site
Hi everyone,

Just a question re: shoeing on boxrest. My horse hasn’t got the best feet, is a little over halfway through his box rest (1.5 months done, 1.5 to go) and his shoes would be due around now. He could probably go another two weeks with it looking okay and not too long, but just wondering is it okay to shoe a horse who is on boxrest for a broken split bone? Obviously one for my vet/farrier but I wanted to ask here first to hear people’s opinions. Would just be worried with the horse putting weight on the sore leg while other leg is being done, and potentially the concussion when the pins are being banged in on the sore leg. Other option is to just wait it out I guess. We had tried him barefoot in the past and he was very sore, so taking off shoes wasn’t too much of an option as he was already quite lame and didn’t want to inflict any more soreness on him.
 
Definitely a question for your vet. Different situation but I had a horse trimmed by our usual farrier when she was on post-op box rest. We just took an exceptionally slow approach and totally let her guide us with what she was comfortable doing.

If your vet is happy with your horse being re-shod, maybe just ask your farrier to come as last appointment of the day so they have extra time as to allow your horse to take breaks etc.

Is your horse happy stood on the injured leg when you pick the other feet out?

Good luck!
 
I would pull the shoes when they are due, and rasp but not nail on. It is the nailing on that would worry me as it is a sharp concussive force.

Besides, I can't see that shoes would be necessary for in a box or for the initial walking afterwards. You may even come out of it with better feet.
 
Definitely a question for your vet. Different situation but I had a horse trimmed by our usual farrier when she was on post-op box rest. We just took an exceptionally slow approach and totally let her guide us with what she was comfortable doing.

If your vet is happy with your horse being re-shod, maybe just ask your farrier to come as last appointment of the day so they have extra time as to allow your horse to take breaks etc.

Is your horse happy stood on the injured leg when you pick the other feet out?

Good luck!
Vet has said another two weeks should be well into the safe zone, but similar to what you have said - farrier needs to take it easy! He knows about the injury anyway, so will have a conversation with him about when would best suit to take it slow. Thanks :)
 
Top