Lameness locator update

[Ceriann]

having had one nerve blocked and worked up when actually it was a very simple problem I would recommend before you stick needles in the joints you ask the vet to use the good old fashioned hoof tester.... I'd be pretty peeved they hadn't tested for hoof pain already tbh given the nerve block blocking the foot

I absolutely get you being peeved - one of the reasons I went to this vet was because my usual vet came out (junior vet sent) to check a near fore lameness (she was lame on that leg to ride the day before), did all usual checks and she presented fine BUT that vet still wanted my mare into hospital for a full work up. Last time I did that with another mare I lost all control of the work being done, spent a fortune and never really got an answer. I changed vet to this one not just because of the locator but because they send a partner out and work with you on site.

Do you mind me asking what your simple problem was in the end. I'll be honest I still can't get beyond fact that this may well be related to her being shod quite differently (to start to try and address an inherited long toe, underrun heel flsggedin her vetting as an issue that wasn't dire but needed to be corrected with good trimming etc). The price of the X-rays is making me wince but before we do that we will be taking the shoes off and having a proper look at hooves. I am getting tempted to take her out of shoes and go from there.

 

[ycbm]

Shoes off is certainly the way I would choose to go with this. If I can help with moral support and a pair of eyes, let me know, we can't be too far apart.

 

[SusieT]

bruising! very simple, resolved with a change of shoeing/farrier, which fitted the symptoms perfectly tbh ! At the end of the day if you trust this vet that's all that matters - if you feel they are looking in the right place that's all they and you can do.

 

[Ceriann]

Shoes off is certainly the way I would choose to go with this. If I can help with moral support and a pair of eyes, let me know, we can't be too far apart.

Thank you so much really appreciated and I am very likely to take you up on that - this place is fantastic and everyone is so helpful - I'm driving my OH nuts with it as is. I've just taken better pics of her to put on the vet forum (last pics I put on weren't the best angle) to get some updated views of her feet (which I know aren't perfect). I've mess my farrier but not heard back so may well get another farrier to come and have a look at her. I always think with feet the farrier should want to know what's going on and mine isn't showing that much interest at the minute.

I'm not convinced about the X-Ray yet - it's a lot of money with her lameness shifting from one front to the other and this all happening post being shod differently. I'm tracking her digital pulse and day vet came it was fairly strong in the offside fore she was lame on (it was also strong on the near fore the days she was lame on that). Today I could barely feel it in either leg. I'm not shy of spending but it might just be a bit hasty. Where are you based?

 

[Ceriann]

bruising! very simple, resolved with a change of shoeing/farrier, which fitted the symptoms perfectly tbh ! At the end of the day if you trust this vet that's all that matters - if you feel they are looking in the right place that's all they and you can do.

Ahh ok - bruising is still on my list of possibles (though no obvious bruising to the eye). She can turn herself inside out in the field and the ground has been hard (plus one of my fields which I've taken her off) has some hard standing in it with rough ground. I am currently debating the X-rays given her near fore lameness (which triggered all of this) appears to have gone completely. I'm waiting to hear from my farrier but have an alternative if he doesn't appear willing to look at this and work with me.

 

[ester]

I think for some farriers, whether long or short term saying your horse has a hoof problem feels a bit personal.

I suspect yours will say that it is because he is trying to improve the current job, which is fine but the horse has to be able to take it and if it isn't and you are told it isn't you have to think again. It certainly won't be the first or last horse that struggles with a change of farrier when moving homes. I only mentioned xrays not to look for anything degenerative per se, just so that you could have some agreement to what you were trimming/shoeing too. Bruising can be pretty deep and not noticeable for a good while.

 

[ycbm]

. Where are you based?

Macclesfield. PM me if you like.

 

[Ceriann]

I think for some farriers, whether long or short term saying your horse has a hoof problem feels a bit personal.

I suspect yours will say that it is because he is trying to improve the current job, which is fine but the horse has to be able to take it and if it isn't and you are told it isn't you have to think again. It certainly won't be the first or last horse that struggles with a change of farrier when moving homes. I only mentioned xrays not to look for anything degenerative per se, just so that you could have some agreement to what you were trimming/shoeing too. Bruising can be pretty deep and not noticeable for a good while.

Thanks and yes he had reacted a bit like that already - tbf he came out the day after she was first lame. Even though it was only 4 days he was pretty clear though that it couldn't be the shoes (yet nail bind often shows days later). When he came out he did acknowledge there was heat in the foot and it looked like a foot issue (but pointed me to a likely abscess). I know (from vetting) that shoeing to date hasn't been great (owners OH) and she came with tiny shoes that gave no support at all.

She's booked for X-ray Wed but will have another chat with vet I think. Part of me thinks I'm jumping the gun as a week or so ago we would have been investigating near fore, now it's offside fore. Then again part of me thinks get the X-rays (we'd be doing both fronts) and then we have the best possible picture to work from.

I think on balance I will see how she is on the same trot up next Wed and if still lame I'll get the x-rays. She's only just turned 9 so the health of her feet is pretty important!