My Horse Drags His Feet...

Hedges

Hedges

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Hi
My gelding isn't shod at the moment as I haven't had the time for the farrier to come out. I hacked him out the other day and I noticed that he drags his front feet which meant that, by the time we got home, he'd slightly flattened the front of his hoof. When I get him shod, will this sort itself out?
 
I would get the vet to check this out, even just ring the practice for advice ? Also ask the farrier too. It doesn't sound right. Let us know what happens ? sm xx
 
Ok, will do. The farrier is coming out sometime this week/next so I'll ask him. My boy does have long pasterns which is why I now have him. Could that have anything to do with it?
The foot dragging isn't major, just annoying and it doesn't stop him being ridden. It's almost like he's lazy and can't be bothered to pick his feet up that little bit further...
 
It may well depend on when you had him shod last. If the farrier hasn't been for a while the hoof may just be too long and is naturally wearing where it needs to.
 
abi31 said:
It may well depend on when you had him shod last. If the farrier hasn't been for a while the hoof may just be too long and is naturally wearing where it needs to.
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I dont think its just natural wear as his hoof is actually straight at the front... I'll take a pic I go up tonight to show you what I mean
 
You need to make time! Lack of time is not an excuse not to have the farrier out. Your horses feet could be very long, so he cant move his legs as well and the toes drag. The feet could also be unbalanced. Or there could be a physical problem there. Whether shoeing would sort the problem out depends on whats causing it.

You need to get the farrier out asap. Then the vet if the problem is still there
 
teddyt said:
You need to make time! Lack of time is not an excuse not to have the farrier out. Your horses feet could be very long, so he cant move his legs as well and the toes drag. The feet could also be unbalanced. Or there could be a physical problem there. Whether shoeing would sort the problem out depends on whats causing it.

You need to get the farrier out asap. Then the vet if the problem is still there
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It's lack of time for me and the farrier. When I'm free to be there, he's not and vice versa because I'm still at school and I work to make money to keep my horses. As I'm not on a livery yard, there's no-one else who can be there to let him in and catch the horses for him.
His hooves are definately not too long. I would've MADE time if they were that bad. They are a good, normal length.
 
Book the farrier further in advance! I book mine for the next visit when he is there.

If his feet are ok then it is highly likely he has a physical problem. Horses dont naturally drag their feet, even lazy ones. Perhaps you should get the vet out to look at him
 
Are you asking him to walk quite forward? My horse is an absolute git for tripping up and dragging his feet, he's really lazy so I have to be on his case to get him to pay attention and pick his feet up. It is his backs that he usually does it with though. I had a lesson on him yesterday and he must have tripped up several times in 45 minutes because he couldn't be bothered to work properly.

I agree that you should probably get a vet to have a look though.
 
sarah0786 said:
Are you asking him to walk quite forward? My horse is an absolute git for tripping up and dragging his feet, he's really lazy so I have to be on his case to get him to pay attention and pick his feet up. It is his backs that he usually does it with though. I had a lesson on him yesterday and he must have tripped up several times in 45 minutes because he couldn't be bothered to work properly.

I agree that you should probably get a vet to have a look though.
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He's never tripped and it doesn't cause a problem. It was just something my friend and I noticed when hacking him
 
Hedges said:
He's never tripped and it doesn't cause a problem. It was just something my friend and I noticed when hacking him
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In that case, I have side clip shoes on my horse too and I get his toes rolled, that is supposed to prevent them from tripping up/dragging feet too.
 
I dont have any pictures of him in walk but I do have a trotting one...

107B3471.jpg
 
sarah0786 said:
When you say he isn't shod, how long is it since he had his feet trimmed?
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At least a month but I don't know for sure as I haven't owned him long and he came without shoes. His feet are in good condition though so I presume it hasn't been that long
 
Hedges said:
At least a month but I don't know for sure as I haven't owned him long and he came without shoes. His feet are in good condition though so I presume it hasn't been that long
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It would be worth getting the farrier out asap if you aren't sure, can you try a different one if your usual one is too busy? I recently opted for a newly qualified farrier, he was an apprentice to a very reputable farrier in the area that is difficult to get hold of, he's slightly cheaper as he's trying to build his client base but I was really pleased with him and the advice he offered, he will come out at all hours too.
 
my boy old by was terible for toe dragging and tripping and was also very long is his pasten had one farrier out who put normal shoes on on to be honest it made him worst made his toe long making him sit on his heals only very slightly but this made the break (roll) over point off the hoffe wrong so was dragging them wearing the front down had a different farrier out who decided 1/4 clips where the way 4 ward for him and what a difference never looked back:) sold on now you ma find some farriers are just shoeing horses and not considering what is going on have found from speaking to mine he say what he is doing it and y and he takes his time and horse stays sound ( dosnt with out shoes due to old pelvis ingury )

but would def get farrier out to have a look and if you carnt get usally one find a diffrent one
and get her seen i would get farrier out befor vet :)

good luck
 
Well, just an update for anyone who's interested. I had the farrier out yesterday and he told me the toe dragging was just out of laziness and also, that he doesn't need shoes and can be ridden barefoot because his feet are that strong. Yay! £70 saved for me!
 
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