Shoeing for spavin

Penny Less

Penny Less

Joined
10 March 2009
Messages
7,682
Visit site
This probably should be in vet forum but more people come on here. There seem to be two different opinions re shoeing for hock spavin, i.e. raised heels or lateral extensions.One vet says one thing, farrier says he usually does the other! How do lateral extensions work, as opposed to raised heels? My unshod behind cob has hock problems and Im wondering which is the best option . Any advice welcomed. Ta
 
The lateral extension restores capsule symmetry, so if the capsule is still symmetrical it isn,t required. Indeed if fitted to wide can cause further problems.
Raised heels just increase the height of the flight of arc. Neither shoe will particularly fix your horse.
 
Think it really depends on the individual horse, how there baring the weight and their own movement which will change through the process of the spavin developing and healing, along with how it effects the rest of the horse. Personally Id go with the farrier rather than what is the 'norm' with vet as they will know more about the changes in your horses gait and wear on the feet if your farrier is thorough.
Personally I think unsold is best as usually the farrier wishes to leave them unshod for a certain period to see exactly what is happening with the hoof as well as reducing concussion, before deciding if remedial shoeing will help or not.
 
Thats interesting Oberon, it mentions raised heels to make foot slide, and calkins (which are road nails are they?) another horse on yard has raised heel shoes but with road pins in.
This sounds as if the two things are working against each other? Im confused now, mine doesnt need shoes behind normally (according to farrier) as he has really good hooves and he only does a couple of hours hacking a week. Dont know what to do for the best now !
Thanks everyone for replies
 
alma said:
Thats interesting Oberon, it mentions raised heels to make foot slide, and calkins (which are road nails are they?) another horse on yard has raised heel shoes but with road pins in.
This sounds as if the two things are working against each other? Im confused now, mine doesnt need shoes behind normally (according to farrier) as he has really good hooves and he only does a couple of hours hacking a week. Dont know what to do for the best now !
Thanks everyone for replies
Click to expand...

Should add that they're American - so some terminology may be different than here.

If he is happy unshod - if it ain't broke, don't fix it ;)
 
keep barefoot really so much better for the horsey to be able to move naturally esp if on a bad day feeling a bit sore or tight, road studs/nails not good for horses with spavin as they can cause a sharp jerking to the joint if stud gets snagged on the road.
 
I found it on a US site - so was concerned some of the terminology may have been altered for that audience.
 
Oberon said:
I found it on a US site - so was concerned some of the terminology may have been altered for that audience.
Click to expand...

Yep they wrote there uk website for the Americans. The shoes you were looking at are probably Paul's shoe board for his Degree and the rationale that goes with them.
 
My farrier also advised against road nails (he's always had them in the past) now he has some LE depending on how he's loading his hinds and moving.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top