Shoes on or off?

W

Woodrock

Member
Joined
23 February 2008
Messages
27
Visit site
Hi, just wondered if when you turn a horse out due to injury (SFT tendon damaged) you should remove shoes? My boy is 7wks post injury & no longer being bandaged or cold hosed & have been advised to turn out & give him up to 1yr to recover. Farrier came today and after shoeing suggested I may want to leave them off next time he comes to trim. I thought that by keeping him shod it would minimise any changes to the angle of his foot and therefore his tendon. If i leave the feet bare next time is it likely to put any more or less strain on the healing tendon? Any advice gratefully received!
 
My ISH damaged its tendon sheath and i took its shoes off when it was still on box rest and left them off when it was turned away for a few months. Its coped fine, I think it depends on the horse, if your farrier suggests taking them off then i think it would be ok.
 
By taking the shoes off, you will reduce concussion and stimulate circulation, both of which will be beneficial. It will also benefit the feet to have a break from shoes if you aren't needing them for work. Your farrier will be mindful of foot balance and your horse's history, it's very unlikely he would be making changes to any angles in the initial stages.

I would talk it over with your vet, but I'm sure he would agree with the logic in removing the shoes for a period of field rest.
 
It does depend on the horse. My 2 year old is currently shod on the front (even though he does nothing), he also has white line disease so farrier recommends the shoeing.
 
My vet & farrier recommended shoes off for all the reasons Tamster gave and because they feel bare foot horses are less likely to hoon about
shocked.gif
 
Best thing I did was take my mare's shoes off, she had barely any horn growth and was very foot sore as well as lame from her tendon, but she's now much better and I'm sure some of it must be becuase she has spent eight months putting her feet on the ground how she wants them, rather than how is dictated by her shoes. Can't wait to get them back on in six weeks though!!
grin.gif
 
Agree with tamster too, my pony had his shoes off after injuring his Suspensory Ligament last May, he was very footy for about four days, but has gone from strength to strength, he is now back at work, walking 20 mins a day with short trots and is still shoeless! His feet are good and strong, and for a laminitic too he is doing very well
smile.gif
 
Shoes off definatly but you should make sure the feet are given a barefoot trim not trimmed by the regular farrier (unless he does a proper barefoot trim). My horse has been barefoot 4 4 years now and she has only been lame once- when the farrier trimmed them as if he was going to shoe. Dad has now done a course on baerfoot trimming and taught me too, her feet are perfect now!
 
Absolute tosh. Any GOOD farrier is perfectly capable and QUALIFIED to trim a horse and leave the shoes off.

Dont waste your money, just ask your regular farrier to do it.
 
It isn't necessary to have a barefoot trim. A good farrier will give the horse a pasture trim and take note of the injury the horse has suffered so wouldn't do any altering of angles, etc.

As for barefoot trimmers - a trimmer undertaking work for clients is properly trained, and has insurance.

There is a myth that a barefoot trimmer has a weekend's training - this is tosh. They have a great deal of in depth training, over months/years. What they don't have to learn is how to work metal or nail a shoe onto a foot. They concentrate of foot fall, foot balance, hoof growth, internal structures, diet, environment.

My trimmer sees my horse in walk and trot both before and afer a trim. How many farriers do that?
 
Would also say shoes off. I'm very fortunate to have a farrier who trims well, but believe me he's the first one I've come across in 8 years of horse ownership and I've fired a few for one reason or another! It's like the NHS postcode lottery, for horse feet! So, if your farrier is a good one, keep him (as they are cheaper!).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top