Ive been advised - put front shoes on "back-to-front!!"

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JEZA

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Today my pony has been diagnosed with a pulled knee. She is slightly catching the toe of the affected leg. One thing the vet suggested was to put her front shoes on "back-to-front" to allow the toe more room when she is moving.
I'm not keen on this at all but wondered if anyone has any experience of this??
Many thanks.
 
The vet called it extensor carpi radialis damage. Im happy with the diagnosis, I just wondered about the shoeing bit?!!
 
I know a couple of (older) vets that still swear by backwards shoes. Not something I would do personally, can you have a chat with your farrier and see what he suggests?
 
Agree with Rhino!

Yes - I have heard of this. If your vet recommends it, and you have faith in him/her, then I would have a good chat with your farrier. It may well be worth trying for one or two shoeings if your farrier agrees with your vet.
 
personally, i am a massive subscriber to the robin hood school of veterinary. why not just stick em all on backwards to really confuse pony and his feet :)
 
It's becoming more popular to do at the moment.

I think the reasoning is to support the back of the hoof whilst easing the break over, so the horse doesn't have to work as hard when walking (toes tend to be too long in most horses).

I think there is an element of easing forces on the toe area in the cases of lami horses too.

TBH, removing the shoes and giving a trim with a good break over would do the job. Encouraging a heel first landing to take away any concussion from the toe area may be beneficial too. But then, I WOULD say that;)

If it's your vet's advice then fine. But perhaps ask him to talk to your farrier too?
 
One of my ponies had front shoes on backwards for about a year (not the same pair obviously :rolleyes: :D ) He had v.bad laminitis, he was out of work for the better part of 2 years. He had imprints for quite a while but when he was improving and it was time for those to come off there was much discussion between vet and farrier about the benefits of heart bars vs ordinary shoes on backwards, the latter won. He ended up coming back into full work with his fronts on the wrong way round, which was most fun when he did tack and turnout at shows and the judge picked his foot up to see how clean it was :D After 12 months or so we turned them back round the right way and touch wood he has been fine since :)
 
I've seen it on horse and country tv ages ago. Think it was an ilph programme. Think it was something to do with the way the pony stood
 
Never heard of it but if your happy with the diagnosis go with the shoeing but discuss with your farrier first.

Maybe get a second opinion by another vet... I only say this from an experience I had with a mis-diagnosis from a vet.
 
It is something which was done in the past (and by the sound of it is being revived), as an alternative to heartbar/eggbar shoes. The shoe supports the heel, if it is on backwards. Talk to your farrier who will have the best advice for feet/way of going.
 
Saw it quite recently on a lami' pony. I didn't talk to the farrier, but I assumed it was to support the heel.
It worked and the pony is sound now.
Kx
 
Mine has back shoes all round :) she had a chunk missing from her toe when I bought her though so front shoe wouldn't attach.

It's your horse - do what you feel is best. If you don't agree with the vet then ask them to explain.
 
My boy had his front shoes put on backwards for a couple of shoeings quite afew years ago.
Which afterwards I was told was dangerous and that farriery was doing his exams at the time and failed on shoeing laminitic horses.
I change to a more reliable farrier and I wouldn't change him for the world. He changed his hoof axis to accomodate the changes seen in the x-ray, and now I've never had a problem.
So I'd say if you trust your farrier talk to them!
Hope all goes well!
 
Lami pony at my old yard had his fronts shod like this for a long time - was worked daily in riding school and died from completely non foot related issue some 8 or so years later at the age of 34

Was done by excellent remedial farrier who never had an apprentice fail
 
My old chap was shod a couple of times with 'reverse shoes' on the front. He was a tripper and had previously been wearing egg bars. I was sceptical at first, but it worked well with no detriment to the horse, who even hunted with them. It helped a little with the tripping.
 
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