Not right 3.5w post trim - is this normal?

[KEK]

My 4yo Connie had his 1st proper trim 3.5w ago, by a master farrier. He took quite a bit off, apparently (he didn't tell me this at the time) esp on his LH as the angles were not correct. He was ridden 2 days afterwards but was very unhappy to go forwards so we stopped and I contacted the farrier who then told me he shouldn't be ridden for a week. We left him 2w and then took him XC on nice soft ground (very low) and a short session and he seemed fine. Then took him in the school 4d later (sand, not as soft) and he is clearly still unhappy, bucking and throwing his LH out high in the air. So stopped again. He has not looked lame at any stage.
Farrier came out to check him yesterday whilst I was having my wisdom teeth out and apparently said his hooves are fine, but his joints are adjusting to the new angles, and to feed him bicarb.
Does this all sound normal? Have had zero issues with his soundness before this
Thanks for any thoughts!

 

[laura_nash]

Its not normal at all, no.

If big changes are needed they should be done gradually.

No horse should be sore one hour after a trim let alone 3wks, with the possible exception of LGL or thrush being exposed by more sole/frog contact.

No idea why feeding him bicarb will help with "joints adjusting".

I think you need a vet, for pain relief if nothing else, and a new farrier/trimmer.

And thanks for reminding me why I now trim my own, even if it is hard on the back.

 

[Goldenstar]

You need to consult a vet .

 

[Michen]

If he wasn’t lame at any stage then it seems odd that it could be the feet, and it could just have been coincidence with the timing.

Sounds like he’s pretty unhappy so my first port of call would be the vet given it’s nearing a month on now.

 

[Northern]

KEK, did you get those big rains a few weeks ago?
Did he stay out on the grass? It could be the trim but the timing makes me think he may be reacting to the sugars in the grass coming up as well (that's if you did get that rain!).

I would probably get a vet out to be safe, he may not appear lame to you but if he's acting up he probably is not happy somewhere.
I've had horses sore after trims, but not for that long. I have always informed my trimmers and they've always paid attention and taken less off next time. From what you've written, I may be tempted to try someone else (especially the bicarb bit, sounds a bit old fashioned).

 

[ycbm]

The bicarb suggestion sounds like the farrier thinks he has hind gut acidosis which is pretty common with fresh grass growth in spring and can cause behavioral issues. The joint comment is odd, he should not have taken so much off in one go that it would cause any serious disturbance to the joints.
.

 

[KEK]

Thanks all. I didn't think it was normal either.
Yep, Northern, we did get some rain (not a lot) but the grass is just coming up now, they are still mostly on hay. I remember how difficult he was last year with the new grass and that could explain it, except the timing isn't quite right.
My gut feeling was a vet work up, he's been on intermittent pain relief (flunixin) after his rides but id like an actual horse vet to look at him. Definitely has not been lame.
Thanks for your comment re the bicarb YCBM, I couldn't think how that would help joints, just have vague memories of racehorsesbeing fed "milkshakes " to prevent metabolic acidosis!
Thinking of giving him the next couple of months off as well as super busy with dogs and dont have a rider.