Horse foot sore after pads removed

[Myotto]

Hi. My EMS horse has been in leather pads and gels on his front feet for the last 18 months. This was because he could get footy and my farrier at the time said he has thin soles and bruises easily. He’d also had a couple of abscesses.

He has had no front lameness in that 18 month period, apart from an abscess which burst out of the coronary band in August.

However, as my horse has lost a few shoes lately, when he was last shod about 4 weeks ago the farrier suggested trying him without pads and gels. I was reluctant particularly as he had Arthramid in his hocks in November and is having problems with his hindgut. I didnt want to change too much too soon. However, I said I would try it.

Anyway, since the pads came off he has been getting more tentative on his fronts. He started to feel lame on them a few days ago. I have got the vet coming tomorrow to check him out and X-ray to check foot balance etc.

It’s seems a coincidence that this has happened when his pads came off but equally his medicated hocks might be showing up problems in front? I also wonder if he is sore or got an abscess from when he pulled a front shoe off a couple of weeks ago. It was a few days before it was put back on.

Any thoughts anyone?

 

[meleeka]

Are his soles in better shape than they were last year? If you are having x-rays you’ll be able to measure how thick his
soles are. It’s quite possible they are still thin and he’s bruised already.

 

[Pinkvboots]

How old is the horse have you considered cushings?

I would be wary of low grade laminitis as well because he has ems and had reoccurring abscesses, hopefully the xrays tomorrow will give you some answers.

 

[spotty_pony2]

I would be guessing his soles are still thin. My boy is the same - he has the plastic type pads now but started in the leather ones and then progressed to these as they are a bit firmer and more hard wearing but only need replacing about once every 6 months.

 

[Bellalily]

I’d be using boots as needed, but the more time he’s barefoot, the harder his soles will become. It’s a long journey, but his feet will definitely benefit, especially with the EMS, which can be challenging for their feet.

 

[Zoeypxo]

Hi. My EMS horse has been in leather pads and gels on his front feet for the last 18 months. This was because he could get footy and my farrier at the time said he has thin soles and bruises easily. He’d also had a couple of abscesses.

He has had no front lameness in that 18 month period, apart from an abscess which burst out of the coronary band in August.

However, as my horse has lost a few shoes lately, when he was last shod about 4 weeks ago the farrier suggested trying him without pads and gels. I was reluctant particularly as he had Arthramid in his hocks in November and is having problems with his hindgut. I didnt want to change too much too soon. However, I said I would try it.

Anyway, since the pads came off he has been getting more tentative on his fronts. He started to feel lame on them a few days ago. I have got the vet coming tomorrow to check him out and X-ray to check foot balance etc.

It’s seems a coincidence that this has happened when his pads came off but equally his medicated hocks might be showing up problems in front? I also wonder if he is sore or got an abscess from when he pulled a front shoe off a couple of weeks ago. It was a few days before it was put back on.

Any thoughts anyone?

Second a Cushings test, how was the hoof balance on your x rays yesterday?

 

[Myotto]

Second a Cushings test, how was the hoof balance on your x rays yesterday?

His feet were out of balance on the X-rays so he was loading the insides of his feet. That said, it was 5 weeks since his last shoeing and was due. The X-rays also showed he has thin soles and is slightly broken back. The farrier has shod him differently. Vet took some blood to test his Adopinectin levels and to do a Cushings test. I suspect we may need to to inject him coffins with Arthramid once we have ruled out an abscess. He has shoes, pads and gels on as of today and is walking out much better and was better on the lunge but I suspect he may still be a bit sore.

 

[Bellalily]

His feet were out of balance on the X-rays so he was loading the insides of his feet. That said, it was 5 weeks since his last shoeing and was due. The X-rays also showed he has thin soles and is slightly broken back. The farrier has shod him differently. Vet took some blood to test his Adopinectin levels and to do a Cushings test. I suspect we may need to to inject him coffins with Arthramid once we have ruled out an abscess. He has shoes, pads and gels on as of today and is walking out much better and was better on the lunge but I suspect he may still be a bit sore.

I’d speak to a trimmer about all this. They can advise and his feet would benefit enormously being shoeless. If he’s a bit sore, then hoof boots are the answer. You can buy pads for them as well if needed. Shoes damage the feet as has been proven over and over again. If you want to see progress and have a sound horse, speak to a trimmer. They will also advise on any other issues that they may find as they are holistic, therefore a much, much better option.

 

[Bellalily]

Hi. My EMS horse has been in leather pads and gels on his front feet for the last 18 months. This was because he could get footy and my farrier at the time said he has thin soles and bruises easily. He’d also had a couple of abscesses.

He has had no front lameness in that 18 month period, apart from an abscess which burst out of the coronary band in August.

However, as my horse has lost a few shoes lately, when he was last shod about 4 weeks ago the farrier suggested trying him without pads and gels. I was reluctant particularly as he had Arthramid in his hocks in November and is having problems with his hindgut. I didnt want to change too much too soon. However, I said I would try it.

Anyway, since the pads came off he has been getting more tentative on his fronts. He started to feel lame on them a few days ago. I have got the vet coming tomorrow to check him out and X-ray to check foot balance etc.

It’s seems a coincidence that this has happened when his pads came off but equally his medicated hocks might be showing up problems in front? I also wonder if he is sore or got an abscess from when he pulled a front shoe off a couple of weeks ago. It was a few days before it was put back on.

Any thoughts anyone?

It’s not footy, it’s lame. Maybe 1/10 or 2/10, but it’s lame. Sounds like you need to find yourself a decent barefoot trimmer who will correct his feet, advise on correct diet (nearly always the cause of lameness is too much sugar) and if needed will fit hoof boots for him. Shoes are not the answer, you need to address the source of the problem, not just cover it up with a plaster (shoe).

 

[Myotto]

It’s not footy, it’s lame. Maybe 1/10 or 2/10, but it’s lame. Sounds like you need to find yourself a decent barefoot trimmer who will correct his feet, advise on correct diet (nearly always the cause of lameness is too much sugar) and if needed will fit hoof boots for him. Shoes are not the answer, you need to address the source of the problem, not just cover it up with a plaster (shoe).

I’m a caring owner and not covering it up. I’m working with the vet and the farrier. There may be some arthritis. He has a really natural diet already with minimal sugar and starch. He is in a full Thunderbrook diet and has soaked hay. I have already had a discussion with a barefoot specialist and it’s a possibility.

 

[Bellalily]

By having shoes on, yes the issue is being covered up like a plaster. Once the source of the problem is found, which will be obviously easier without it being covered up with shoes, he’ll be fine. I would have a consultation with a barefoot trimmer who will assist you much more so than a farrier. Would also suggest finding a vet who supports the shoeless route as otherwise they are not going to be looking for the source, they’ll just say to shoe him which doesn’t help.

 

[AmyMay]

By having shoes on, yes the issue is being covered up like a plaster. Once the source of the problem is found, which will be obviously easier without it being covered up with shoes, he’ll be fine. I would have a consultation with a barefoot trimmer who will assist you much more so than a farrier. Would also suggest finding a vet who supports the shoeless route as otherwise they are not going to be looking for the source, they’ll just say to shoe him which doesn’t help.

Not all horses can go barefoot. Not all owners want a barefoot horse.

Good luck OP. Wishing you a good outcome.

 

[Bellalily]

Not all horses can go barefoot. Not all owners want a barefoot horse.

Good luck OP. Wishing you a good outcome.

It’s the owners who can’t go barefoot, not the horses. 99.9999% of horses can and would go shoeless. Why would you not want a shoeless horse? They are healthier and have less injuries. Saying owners don’t want shoeless horses is a bit weird.

 

[meleeka]

It’s the owners who can’t go barefoot, not the horses. 99.9999% of horses can and would go shoeless. Why would you not want a shoeless horse? They are healthier and have less injuries. Saying owners don’t want shoeless horses is a bit weird.

Because some people like the convenience of shoes. That doesn’t make them bad people, or uncaring owners. Shoes aren’t the work of the devil! Some people want the instant comfort that shoes bring and don’t want their horse to be in pain while it’s transitioning, or have to faff about putting boots on each time the horse leaves the stable and I think we should respect everyone’s right choose.

I don’t have a shod horse anymore, but I have done and it makes life a lot easier, which is why they were invented probably.

 

[HelenBack]

Because some people like the convenience of shoes. That doesn’t make them bad people, or uncaring owners. Shoes aren’t the work of the devil! Some people want the instant comfort that shoes bring and don’t want their horse to be in pain while it’s transitioning, or have to faff about putting boots on each time the horse leaves the stable and I think we should respect everyone’s right choose.

I don’t have a shod horse anymore, but I have done and it makes life a lot easier, which is why they were invented probably.

I don't usually wade in on these arguments but I agree with this and find the argument that all horses can go barefoot but it's the owners that can't very frustrating. For me it's about finding the solution that works best for the individual horse in their specific circumstances. I have one horse who is barefoot and will never be shod again unless for medical needs and I have one horse who is shod (with pads) who will most likely stay that way. That's what works for them.

I am very, very pro barefoot and there are definitely situations in which I would urge owners to consider trying it but not all the time as a solution for all problems. I agree that there is evidence that traditional open heeled shoes can contribute to caudal failure, but there are also shoe packages coming out now that far from being a "sticking plaster" have been demonstrated to help improve the health of the hoof, sometimes where progress barefoot would be much slower and/or challenging. There's a lot of really good work going on in this area and most of the people doing it have barefoot as the ideal but realise that for many reasons that isn't always the best answer.

As for the farrier vs trimmer debate, there are good and bad in both. Personally I've tried a few trimmers and have not been impressed with any of them yet there are many farriers in my area who do a good barefoot trim and would rather keep horses barefoot wherever possible.

That's my rant over and I'll bow out now. OP it sounds like you're taking a sensible approach to this and I hope things work out for you.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I would have a consultation with a barefoot trimmer who will assist you much more so than a farrier.

Whereas after my experience with a fully registered and trained EPA trimmer, plus my vet’s observations that she can tell whether a horse’s feet have been trimmed by a barefoot trimmer simply by noting the poor long toe/low heel foot balance , I would say avoid barefoot trimmers. The lack of knowledge that mine displayed was jaw dropping.

Shoes have their place. Rabid barefooters do not.

Btw, none of mine are in shoes.

 

[AmyMay]

It’s the owners who can’t go barefoot, not the horses. 99.9999% of horses can and would go shoeless. Why would you not want a shoeless horse? They are healthier and have less injuries. Saying owners don’t want shoeless horses is a bit weird.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong in putting shoes on a horse, and shaming any owner to feel otherwise is very poor form.

 

[Pinkvboots]

By having shoes on, yes the issue is being covered up like a plaster. Once the source of the problem is found, which will be obviously easier without it being covered up with shoes, he’ll be fine. I would have a consultation with a barefoot trimmer who will assist you much more so than a farrier. Would also suggest finding a vet who supports the shoeless route as otherwise they are not going to be looking for the source, they’ll just say to shoe him which doesn’t help.

Both my horses are barefoot but I have had them shod and previous horses in the past.

I wouldn't ever use a barefoot trimmer seen too many horses absolutely crippled by them and what some charge is ridiculous.

A good farrier is quite capable of doing a decent trim and at least they have done the years of training that is required to do so.

Not all vets and farriers are against having no shoes either.

 

[meleeka]

Not all vets and farriers are against having no shoes either.

I saw yesterday that a local farrier is branching out into offering a hoof boot fitting service, which I thought an excellent idea. He’s at the yards anyway and as long as he’s got a good level of knowledge and can keep the stock, it sounds like a winner and something I’d consider if I was looking for a new farrier.

Trimming barefoot horses is probably quite a lot of a farrier’s work, so the thought that they can only apply shoes is outdated imo.

 

[Pinkvboots]

I saw yesterday that a local farrier is branching out into offering a hoof boot fitting service, which I thought an excellent idea. He’s at the yards anyway and as long as he’s got a good level of knowledge and can keep the stock, it sounds like a winner and something I’d consider if I was looking for a new farrier.

Trimming barefoot horses is probably quite a lot of a farrier’s work, so the thought that they can only apply shoes is outdated imo.

Such a good idea

 

[Landcruiser]

It’s the owners who can’t go barefoot, not the horses. 99.9999% of horses can and would go shoeless. Why would you not want a shoeless horse? They are healthier and have less injuries. Saying owners don’t want shoeless horses is a bit weird.

While this may be true, I think it's counter productive as an argument on threads like this. To go barefoot and continue to work a horse needs a lot of knowledge and commitment as well as a suitable environment. - Barefoot acceptance is growing all the time, but it really isn't for everyone, yet.
Softly softly catchee monkey...

 

[Myotto]

Thank you all for your support. I genuinely am trying to find out what is best for my boy. He was diagnosed with EMS a couple of years ago and due to good management his levels have just come back within normal range. There has been a lot of heartache, stress and cost along the way. That’s why I get upset when people judge me for my management. He had his hocks injected with Arthramid a few months ago and was feeling fantastic but I guess it’s possible that his new back end has compromised his front end somehow. His X-rays the other day showed he was ‘broken back’ and not laterally balanced. Hopefully he will improve but I will probably put Arthramid in to the fronts as well to give him more relief. I do not exercise my horses if I think they are uncomfortable.