Misbehaving for farrier

[Marnie]

My 5 year old cob mare is shod in front and trimmed behind. My farrier is great, very calm and patient, but she has misbehaved the last few times. She has not been great to be trimmed behind the last twice, pulling her feet away - particularly from the tripod. Today though, she was bad in front - constantly pulling her feet away. We ended up not putting the shoes on.

She doesn't do anything quickly or violently, it was just constant. I can't tell if she is uncomfortable or just being awkward. I've been working on picking her feet up since it started being a problem and she has been fine generally. She is usually very amenable - foe example she had her teeth done this morning with no sedation and just stood there.

I did notice some swelling on her hocks, it is similar both sides but could only get decent pictures of one side.

Anyone any ideas - on why she could be suddenly doing this and how to get over it? I did wonder about getting a vet check but didn't know if that was jumping ahead a bit quickly.

Thanks for any help.

 

[ester]

If she has been ok previously I'd start with the vet.

 

[AmyMay]

I’d get a vet check too. She looks to have thoroughpins, which don’t often cause an issue, being more a cosmetic issue. But it could be indicative of a general issue with the hocks.

 

[milliepops]

If she has been ok previously I'd start with the vet.

agree with this, always worth involving a vet at an early stage if you have a change in behaviour like that.

 

[meleeka]

They look like thoroughpins to me too. They are harmless, but those are quite sizeable so might feel odd when she lifts a leg.

If you have some bute you could do a trial and see if there’s a difference. Personally I’d just get the vet. To put your mind at rest is probably worth a call out fee.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Another vote for getting the vet out, even if you only end up with bute to administer immediately before the farrier visits again.

 

[Marnie]

Thanks everyone... had a feeling that a vet check may be the way to go and trally just wanted a sense check.

 

[splashgirl45]

when you pick her feet up do you put them straight down or hold them up as high as the farrier needs to? i would think if this is unusual for her the vet needs to come, maybe get him to pick her feet up so he can see what she does....

 

[JillA]

I had a livery years ago with very short cannon bones - he found it difficult to lift his feet as the farrier tried to get him to do. Does your farrier have an adjustable stand he can lower to get her more comfortable

 

[Marnie]

Just to update... had a vet check on Wednesday and could find no reason for her misbehaving, she isn't lame and although it looks as though she has thoroughpins, they don't appear to be causing her issues at the moment. So, it looks as though she is just being naughty so am now working with her picking and holding her feet up.

Thanks for all the ideas, will just have to see how things go!

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Can I suggest OP that when you get the vet out you get her back checked as well?

Reason being: when I got my project mare almost exactly a year ago now, it was obvious there was a pain issue with her as she wouldn't stand up at the mounting block as she was obviously associating being ridden with pain, but the other thing that was immediately noticeable was that she wouldn't pick up one of her hind feet as well as.

When I got the vet/physio out to do investigations, we discovered a sacro-iliac problem with her which after treatment and rest, was sorted OK. But the physio and vet both said that this is a common thing with horses that have problems with their backs.

Get your mare's checked is what I'd advise; she's obviously not comfy.