Lame now barefoot?

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Sjb1

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Hi all
I have had my horse 4 weeks now - i had his front shoes taken off about a week and half ago. He was a bit hobbly to start with but seemed to get better.
Now he is lame in trot but looks absolutley fine in walk, - when he trots it's like a little skip and struggles. i am wondering if he is struggling to cope without front shoes on - maybe its caused from bruising from treading on stones around the field. His front hooves do feel slightly warm and his backs are cooler.
I only took the shoes off as i didn't want him skidding round the yard in winter.
I am obviosuly going to seek professional advise but just wondered whats peoples thoughts are in the mean time.
Thanks :-) :-)
 
Sounds like he wasn't ready to have his shoes off.

Did you do anything to get him ready for barefoot? What's his diet like? Do you have boots for him?
 
Lame in trot suggests its the concussive motion that is causing the problem. Shoes cover up so many evils sometimes we get a surprise when we take them off.

Id suggest he needs boots and pads to exercise in - once he has come sound obviously, he may need some time to allow bruising to settle. Pics of the feet from the side and of the sole would be helpful too.
 
Does anyone think i should put the shoes back on?
I did limit his grass and feed was low cal balancer, small amount of happy hoof and linseed oil.
I shall get some pics later
Thanks all for responses :-)
 
On what sort of ground is he lame? all?

I wouldn't rush to put shoes back on until at least having an idea what was causing the problem.
 
He is lame on all ground in trot - but fine in walk everywhere apart from where the field is quite gravely near the gate.
My farrier is coming soon so will get him to check him out but can't help but worry in the mean time
 
You need him to be comfortable and if he's lame in trot on all surfaces, then he's definitely not comfortable.

I would want to know what the cause is but I would also consider getting shoes back on in the meantime if he's not coping and boots aren't an option.

What's his weight like? Does he need hard feed? I'm not sure but I don't think Happy Hoof is as barefoot friendly as the name suggests.

I'm not an expert by any means, I'm still tweaking my boys management to get him 100% comfortable without boots so I may not be qualified to comment much further.
 
He is actually overweight - i've not had him long so working on the weight loss - i only give a small amount of hard feed just for vits and minerals.
I can't wait for the farrier to come and see what he thinks now :-)
 
Happy hoof is full of sugar so wont be helping! Perhaps you've tried to do too much too soon after his shoes came off?
 
If he's really overweight try a bit of speedibeet to put his supplements in. If he's fussy, try a bit of grated carrot in his tea (although I know carrots are controversial!) or you may have something better to make it more palatable.

It could be a combination of things making him uncomfortable at the moment. If he was mine, from what you have said I would put shoes back on, work on getting his weight down, get his diet right and then try again with boots. You're going to struggle to get his weight down if you can't work him.
 
is it baileys lo cal + happy hoof? Neither is any good frankly. You need a decent mineral supplement such as Pro Hoof - actually has 20% off at the mo, or Forage Plus.

You also need to do some reading and learning about hooves and barefoot tbh. Be careful you farrier doesn't slap shoes back on - pointless as banging nails into a concussed foot is only going to make it worse and you are covering a gaping hole with a sticking plaster. If he's lame without shoes he's lame with - just has a local anaesthetic on them.

Boots and pads to get you going - thoroughly recommend the equine podiatry supplies shop she's v helpful re boots. Leave the farrier as they're going to advise shoes (££££) and or carve the frog/sole looking for an abscess which doesn't sound like its there.
 
Thanks!!! I was looking at the cavallo boots until the feet are better.
I am getting the vet to me hopefully this week just be on safe side
 
Thanks!!! I was looking at the cavallo boots until the feet are better.
I am getting the vet to me hopefully this week just be on safe side
 
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