Ongoing rehab for laminitics

[JillA]

You might remember my post about farrier who won't take on board my input. He states that my horse will need to be in steel heart bar shoes for life, and for a horse who only spends time in field, stable or manege, I suspect this is slightly overkill. I would rather his feet had the freedom to flex and move and get a good blood supply to get much more healthy. And his care is my responsibility, not farriers.

Okay, so he might need pedal bone support for a while longer - I am going to get more x rays in a few weeks time, 9 months on from the original acute episode - so am happy for his shoes to go on at least once more.

But other than that, what are my options? A good friend who has studied and trims her own, including one seriously metabolically challenged horse who has had major foot issues, says I could get boots with pads for the necessary support. And I could do that now, in preparation for if and when he ever needs that support in future. When would he need to wear them? Regularly or just if he got "footy" again (he is now on Prascend so fingers crossed)

Thoughts from both sides of the shoes/barefoot divide please, and suggestions on which boots/pads and how to fit them. I don't want to burn bridges or embark on a course which will risk his future, but am hearing long term heart bars can atrophy heels? (serenityjane I will call the one you mentioned and see if I can get chance to discuss with him, after I have discussed with my vet who is a big advocate of my current chap)

 

[Nari]

How bad is your horse in terms of rotation, sinking & hoof quality? And how comfortable is he in heartbars? I'm not an expert & can't give you answers wouldn't without seeing horse & x-rays even if I was, but if he was mine those are things I'd be looking at.

When you say he won't take on board your input do you mean he won't do as you want, or he won't discuss it with you? If the latter I'd want a new farrier, but if it's the former then I'd arrange time to talk to him because it may be that he believes his approach is best for your horse based on the information he has & past experience. Sorry I haven't seen your other post so I may be asking questions you've already answered.