Pull shoes or not?

[HappyHollyDays]

Bit of a dilemma with my Connie. 13 years old, hock arthritis and has possibly done his suspensory again. He stumbled being ridden on Thursday took 4 or 5 lame steps then appeared sound. Been in due to the heat during the day and out for a few hours when it’s been cooler. Came in after 4 hours yesterday sound but very slow and this morning he is most defiantly lame in walk.

Obviously I will phone the vet first thing tomorrow but in the meantime I will cold hose and keep him in until he can be seen. I will be guided by my vet as she knows him well but just wanted to ask people’s opinions on taking shoes off with a suspensory injury if he has to go on several month box rest.

 

[PapaverFollis]

I don't really know but would lean towards taking shoes off myself.

I'm so sorry he's hurt himself. ?

 

[HappyHollyDays]

Thanks PF, I have a feeling with everything going on I might have to retire him

 

[paddy555]

does Mark Johnson have a view? presumably if in the worst case scenario he has to be box rested and then retired his shoes will be coming off at some stage. I would get all the info I could from the vet and then all the info from MJ and see what comes up. Hope you can get it sorted, good luck.

 

[HappyHollyDays]

Thanks Paddy, MJ doesn’t look after him, he only does DP who is bf, B is my other pony who has always worn shoes. You are right though if I am to retire him they will come off anyway. My concern is would removing shoes inhibit the healing of a suspensory injury or would it actually help it. Don’t want to do anything that’s going to knacker him him even more.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

My horse did a hind suspensory some years ago and had 6 months box rest so I took his shoes off and he was fine.

I am guessing your horse has done a front suspensory? So in that situation I would check with your vet first as the shoes may offer support in the healing and you obviously don't want that to be affected.

 

[HappyHollyDays]

Yes it’s the front. He kept hem on last time but will definitely talk to the vet and Farrier together and make a decision then.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I would find out what is wrong first. My old lad ( now retired for many years) went lame. I wanted to pull shoes but farrier pointed out that the change of angle from shoe to no shoe would make him much worse. I clarified this with vet. Shoes were left on and he came sound.