Horse tripped/fallen

[PapaverFollis]

Ouch. It's so hard to see when the foot goes bad slowly and you've chosen to trust your professional. It just shouldn't happen and it makes me so bloody cross! I had a lovely farrier who I thought was doing a decent job but she started getting a bit trippy and I just had these alarm bells going that I was trying to ignore because my professional seemed so lovely and competent... Now barefoot and trimming them ourselves! And no more trips thus far.

It annoys me no end that people can't rely on the profession!

 

[ycbm]

Barefoot trimmers are not necessarily any better though, even qualified ones...

Didn't say they were? But surely it's a shocking that it's been illegal for anyone but a register farrier to shoe for several decades, and yet no independent, effective, complaints procedure?
.

 

[Rowreach]

Didn't say they were? But surely it's a shocking that it's been illegal for anyone but a register farrier to shoe for several decades, and yet no independent, effective, complaints procedure?
.

Not in NI or the RoI, anyone can call themselves a farrier and whack shoes on a horse

 

[ycbm]

Not in NI or the RoI, anyone can call themselves a farrier and whack shoes on a horse

Bloody hell!
.

 

[Rowreach]

Bloody hell!
.

I've taught lower limb anatomy to farriers on an upskilling course who've been shoeing for years and have bugger all idea about what's inside

 

[Tiddlypom]

Well, that farriery is so shocking that you’d expect the Farriers Registration Council to want to know about it, and to want to take suitable action to deal with the farrier who let the feet get like that.

However, as we know from previous threads, the farriery complaints procedure is weak and flawed.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

My farrier is about 70 and has been shoeing/trimming our horses for 40 plus years. If anything he has improved because he has taken the trouble to learn. Our ponies now mainly self trim but he comes out a couple of times a year just to keep them on track. Dread the day he finally retires. He is doing a lot of trimming now as a lot are going barefoot and he says for him it is more cost effective as he can do more trims per day than sets and there is less outlay as less shoes to buy. Current cost of a trim is £25 which I think is good value.

 

[Gloi]

My farrier forever said that my pony just had bad feet and I believed him until the day they were so broken up he could no longer find hoof to nail to and I was forced to resort to boots. Always thought of him as a good farrier as he trained others but he failed my pony. I started trimming him myself and using boots and his feet recovered a lot but never enough to ride bare for long distances. Farrier has now retired but still does blacksmithing which he is very good at and no horses are harmed. Current pony has never been shod. It's just about impossible to hold a farrier to task.

 

[HappyHollyDays]

I have two farriers for my two ponies. One is fully qualified but prefers the barefoot route which suits one of mine perfectly. He is probably the most knowledgable person I know with regards to feet but he doesn’t shoe in steel and it doesn’t suit my other one who wears through shoes in a month. My second Farrier is also very knowledgeable and I trust him implicitly. He does a fantastic job at shoeing but I wouldn’t let him touch the barefoot pony. I also dread the day MJ retires.

 

[Quigleyandme]

Not in NI or the RoI, anyone can call themselves a farrier and whack shoes on a horse

Yes, you can buy horse shoes at any country store and presumably whack them on yourself.

 

[Marigold4]

Didn't say they were? But surely it's a shocking that it's been illegal for anyone but a register farrier to shoe for several decades, and yet no independent, effective, complaints procedure?
.

Has anyone done a Freedom of Information request to see how many complaints made, upheld etc? Or would they not be seen as a public body?

 

[w1bbler]

Op, I've recently gone barefoot after a seriously bad farrier job. The ability of a hoof to heal itself (with a skilled guiding hand) is amazing.
Get those shoes off, sit back & enjoy the transformation.
I used to get annoyed by the 'evangelical barefoot brigade', but suddenly realise why they have been so vocal about the subject. Loving seeing the hooves transform & my poor pony finally being sound & pain free.
I'm sure there are good farriers with well shod horses, but the number of farriers doing a rubbish job is huge, with many of us poor owners not realising as we are trusting our expert.

 

[fleabag]

Seriously debating taking shoes off. I worry about keeping him in work enough that he doesn’t get even more enormous (already restricted grazing). I treat him as though pssm has had tying up episodes in the past... I wonder if this type of horse can cope barefoot? Had a chat with another livery today who uses duplo shoes fitted by Mark Johnson also debating this route but finances might not allow at £160 a set every 4 weeks.

 

[PapaverFollis]

My horse that has had previous tying up episodes is currently barefoot. She does have quite sensitive feet I think but she wears hoof boots to work and is doing well this time. We previously went back to shoes because she struggled and I struggled but we had to try again due to farriers! She's also the one that was getting trippy in shoes.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Does Mark Johnson come to your yard? I believe that he is very well regarded.

 

[Dexter]

Seriously debating taking shoes off. I worry about keeping him in work enough that he doesn’t get even more enormous (already restricted grazing). I treat him as though pssm has had tying up episodes in the past... I wonder if this type of horse can cope barefoot? Had a chat with another livery today who uses duplo shoes fitted by Mark Johnson also debating this route but finances might not allow at £160 a set every 4 weeks.

My big gelding is type 1 and barefoot. So long as you have boots so you can keep the work up while the feet adjust then it will be fine.

 

[Gloi]

My big gelding is type 1 and barefoot. So long as you have boots so you can keep the work up while the feet adjust then it will be fine.

Boots are so good now there are bound to be some that will suit the OPs horse

 

[fleabag]

Does Mark Johnson come to your yard? I believe that he is very well regarded.

yes he does and travels quite a way to do so. Though I hear he is very busy so not sure if he would take on clients. Lady is checking for me.

 

[HappyHollyDays]

Does Mark Johnson come to your yard? I believe that he is very well regarded.

He is excellent, I won’t let anyone else touch DP’s feet.

 

[fleabag]

Update for anyone interested! Shoes are off, pone is surprisingly okayish on hinds obviously uncomfortable on fores. I have him in on box rest until I can sort some boots. Pics taken and sent to hoof boutique and urban horse, just waiting on their feedback. Started Equimins advance and treating feet with red horse products. Surprised at the thrush under where shoe sat?! Will post pictures of said feet. Would appreciate any hoof boot recommendations/tips!

 

[paddy555]

even whilst waiting for boots I would turn your horse out (presuming he doesn't have a grass problem) he needs to walk on his feet. If he is sore walking across the yard try a roll of carpet to make it easier. I would leave him out (or in at night whatever you do) for 2 weeks to let him just get used to things.
His feet are going to change size considerably and whatever boots you get will not fit for long.
What do you want boots for? is it to get to the field or to ride in?

You will be limited by size ATM, your measurements appear to be around 160W and 165 long. That will reduce as the hoof grows down.
For boots NOT to get then scoots will have too thin a sole. Renegades won't fit and will be a very expensive choice ATM although in the long term are a good boot.

Gloves won't fit but would be a good choice in the future.
I would consider probably the cheapest available. Cavallos. They would do for getting to the field, walking in hand and riding around the block although I realise others do more than that in them.

I haven't read all your posts so don't know who is trimming him or how often but I would get a sanding block (£5 B & Q) and keep running it around the edges (like an emery board) especially on the NF to preserve the split and avoid any further pressure on it. (I'm assuming you don't have a rasp)

 

[Tiddlypom]

Do keep him in for now if he’s sore, it will do him no good to hobble about. I kept mine in for 2 weeks on a deep shavings bed when her shoes were first removed after crap farriery, she was initially very sore indeed. I didn’t have hoof boots on those days, though.

You could pad up his fronts with nappy, duct tape and vet wrap as per an abscess and that might help pending arrival of any boots.

His feet will change shape a lot, so you could be getting through a few different sizes/types of boots in the interim.

 

[fleabag]

A further update. Horse is doing ok, boots have been a nightmare but we are getting there feet externally look a lot better. I’m very pleased with the progress his cracked foot is making. Physio due soon and I’m interested to see what she thinks as I can see a huge chance in his stance!