navicular and barefoot rehab

Emilieu

Emilieu

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Following my post about Deano's recent behaviour change I've had him checked by the vet - he'll be going into horspital next week for xrays to confirm the vet's suspicion of navicular changes.
I know the route my instincts will tell me to take should the tests come back with that diagnosis but I have two questions - the first is can I do it? I'm not sure what factors I would need to consider and think that I have heard that the west of Scotland is not a good place to go barefoot. The second is - how do I broach the subject with the vet who I like and trust but who is talking about special shoeing and medications.
I know I'm jumping the gun here without a diagnosis but I want to feel ready to fight my corner if I need to. Thanks - and sorry, I know this subject has been done to death, I've spent all afternoon reading previous posts.
 
Speak to Oberon and Cyprates and also I think that the progressive earth people are up top if Scotland. They do very good supplements to help feed the hoof. Might be worth asking if they know of anyone near you.
 
You're probably aware of Rockley Farm. Even if you can't send your horse there, it's worth dropping Nic a line. She's really helpful and should be able to give you some good tips on managing the rehab, and also handling your vet.
 
Thank you, just having a look at both of their sites. Quite overwhelming, maybe it is a good thing that I jumped the gun, looks like I have a lot of reading to do!
 
Progressive earth are in Scotland, and I think one of them is a trimmer so it would be worth contacting them. I think sometimes insurance will fund a referral to rockley too.......
 
If you have a look on the Rockley blog my horse Buddy arrived 12 days ago. He was diagnosed with navicular changes, pedal oestitis and vet suspected soft tissue damage but we didn't MRI so don't know for sure. We tried remedial shoes and injected the coffin joint but it didn't make much difference so I decided pretty early on to try the barefoot route.

After doing loads of research I'm not sure why I didn't try it before and have no idea why I've ever shod my horses but I just want a sound health happy horse so am doing what Buddy needs to get better.

Nic is awesome and will definitely point you in the right direction.
 
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I took my TB mare barefoot as soon as navicular was diagnosed. She was diagnosed with spavin, hind limb PSLD and arthritis of the fetlock at the same time. I rehabbed her myself - the shoes were taken off in November last year and she was off work until beginning of April this year due to the PSLD, so had limited turnout time and was in the box the rest of the time. I started off walking her in hand on the roads for 10 minutes, then increasing the time and did a lot of long-reining. Hoof boots are invaluable and you can fit pads into them which make the feet more comfortable but stimulate the foot at the same time. I long-reined her on the roads in boots for a few weeks, then long-reined her without boots, then started riding her with boots and then riding without boots. She was fantastic all summer, even with lush grazing. I've got a setback at the moment as she is lame with either bruise/abscess - vet came out today but all in all it's going well.

In fact the vet who came today commented on how hard her feet are and how good her feet look.
 
Spavin was actually the diagnosis I was expecting - so this has knocked me for six a bit!
Holly hocks that's great that you managed it at home, rockley sounds fabulous but the very thought of him being away so long upsets me, not sure I would cope really although of course he will get what is best for him and I will just have to lump it!
Thank you for sharing your experiences - will watch buddy's progress on the blog with interest!
 
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