shoeing problems

[shannonandtay]

Hi everyone, im hoping someone might be able to give me some ideas as to why my pony has started playing up for the farrier. So he is nearly 13 has front shoes and barefoot behind, has always been good to be shod although can be nervous ecspecially with men. At the last yard the one of the yard workers would stand with the horses if needed but our lad has always been fine but the last two times he was shod he apparently kept trying to jump forward when the nails were being put in. I wasn't told until after the second time which I was annoyed about as I could've come to the yard to be with him. Anyway I've since moved yards thought I'd try a new farrier and I made sure I was there for the shoeing. Farrier was very patient but the lad was like a coiled spring and as soon as the nails were being banged in he started the leaping forwards, I got some treats and fed him those and it seemed to take his mind off it a bit and we got the shoeing done. Farrier said to see how he goes the next time but its possible that changes (i.e arthrities) could be going on inside and that if things get worse maybe x rays to see if there is anything going on inside, but he said not to worry and see how he goes. Now im obviously worried!! anyone had anything similiar happen. Sorry its long.

 

[amandap]

As it's new I would suspect pain when nails banged in. I would look at getting sugars lower in his diet first.

 

[pines of rome]

I also think this is most probably pain related, my boy used to flinch as the nails were driven in! He is now barefoot

 

[Marydoll]

I would be wondering if somethings happened when you werent there if he's like a coiled spring, could be anything from fear to pain

 

[shannonandtay]

As it's new I would suspect pain when nails banged in. I would look at getting sugars lower in his diet first.

I have changed his feed to Hi Fi lite a couple of weeks ago and he has hay. He is still turned out in winter fields at the moment with not much grass.

Thanks, just worried if its pain related what it could be.

 

[LucyPriory]

Nail prick and nail bind are surprisingly common

 

[unbalanced]

Agree with Lucy. When my pony had her last set of shoes off we found five nails through the white line in just one hind foot. No wonder the poor creature hated having her back shoes on (had to be buted) and was so hesitant walking downhill. This was by an award winning farrier who you will be unsurprised to learn I no longer use.