Recurring Abscesses

[Halfpass]

Since her last set of shoes (about 6 weeks ago) Elsa has had 3!!!
2 in one foot and 1 in another.

I have only ridden twice since she was last shod.

She appeared very foot sore after the shoeing and farrier advised to rest her for a few days which I did. She was still sore so he came back out and took her fronts off and there was no abscesses there then.

When he replaced one of the fronts he was preparing her foot and took too much off and made her bleed. After a few days she was fine on her fronts but then got an abscess on one back. We cleared this one up only to find another in a different place on the same foot.Now that one is gone we have an abscess on the front one which he made bleed right at the start!!

My question is how or what can I do to stop this from happening?

I already use cornucresin (sp) daily and she will not eat any kind of feed supplement.

We have talked about pads under the shoes but these cost the earth and I am unsure how healthy for the hoof this is long term.

We tried barefoot when I first got her and this didn't work either.

Any suggestions much appreciated.

 

[soloequestrian]

What was it that didn't work when you tried barefoot?

 

[Clava]

I would be looking for a new farrier for sure!

 

[celia]

I'd be getting an opinion from another farrier...

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I should find a different farrier.

 

[Maesfen]

I'm sorry, I would be looking for a better farrier, yours doesn't sound much cop unless your horse is such a bad fidget that he took too much off in a struggle.

Look at the diet, make sure it's totally balanced. If she won't take a supplement like brewers yeast which is great for foot and skin condition, will she take linseed or maybe black sunflower seeds as both are excellent for foot growth and condition? If not, what about Formula4Feet which is a small pellet and will give her the best chance to grow some healthy feet. I'd also give her a break from shoes for a month at least to help them start toughening up. If you're by the coast, any chance you can take her for regular paddles in the sea, that's meant to help too.

 

[Halfpass]

What was it that didn't work when you tried barefoot?

She was extremely foot sore and remaind so for months. It just never seemed to improve. She had been shoeless for at least 4 months prior to me buying her and I left her like this in a bid to go barefoot.

 

[soloequestrian]

It might be a good idea to get a recommended barefoot trimmer to come and have a chat with you. You needn't have them do anything, or take the horse out of shoes, just get them to come and have a look at the horse and its environment and see what they say.
There are things called 'hoofcasts' now, which are a sort of halfway house between shoes and bare, but unlike boots you leave them in place for several weeks at a time. They might give her the relief from shoes that she sounds like she needs without being sore.