Shoes taken off today

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be positive

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One of my livery horses was x rayed a while ago, he was not lame but was just not quite right, despite his feet looking good and balanced, he was shod every 4-5 weeks, my farrier was struggling to keep the toes back.
The x rays showed a slight reverse rotation, my vet was surprised as he felt the feet looked good, vet and farrier then had a disagreement regarding treatment, vet wanted bar shoes and wedges, farrier wanted bar shoes or no shoes!!
We went for the middle ground of bar shoes so that the horse could continue to compete, which has gone well, he is now having a break so today my happy farrier took his shoes off.

We were a little concerned that he would be sore, the ground was frozen so not ideal for first day without shoes, the horse was not bothered, he towed me across the yard, over the stones, skipped on the rutted icy mud and galloped off:) He came in just as well so hoping he will come out in the morning the same way and that his feet can continue to improve, the vet is not sure about this barefoot idea;) but at least my farrier is confident it is what the horse needs.
 
It does baffle me why vets don't agree with barefoot. I would love to see the logic behind the reluctance.
 
tallyhohoho! said:
It does baffle me why vets don't agree with barefoot. I would love to see the logic behind the reluctance.
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I think they feel that it is that they are not doing anything, my vet and farrier had quite a row over treatment, or lack of it:rolleyes:

I just hope we are proved right, although judging by how the horse moved today he thinks we are doing the right thing, at least the b**** over reach boots can be put away;)
 
I had the opposite problem. Vet was pro, farrier was anti. I just ended up doing my own research and decided I would part ways with the farrier...

I guess it's different for everyone.

Do hope all goes well for you boy. You could always get a set of hoof boots for him if he got a bit footy. They last for ages and are a good investment.

Sounds mike he has good healthy hooves. You must be feeding him a good diet and he's thriving on whatever he's on :)
 
I have just realised that my farrier is now only going to be trimming, just one horse on the yard is shod by another farrier, all the rest are unshod:eek:
 
be positive said:
I have just realised that my farrier is now only going to be trimming, just one horse on the yard is shod by another farrier, all the rest are unshod:eek:
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Sounds like he's a farrier that does what's best for the horse. I've heard of them but never met one :D

Sounds like you are in good hands :)
 
Mine came off today too (horse's that is!) Backs off been off for a while and they are doing great, but as far as I can tell this will be the first time he has been without fronts for 18 years. Eek. Hope he copes as well as yours OP tomorrow.
 
be positive said:
One of my livery horses was x rayed a while ago, he was not lame but was just not quite right, despite his feet looking good and balanced, he was shod every 4-5 weeks, my farrier was struggling to keep the toes back.
The x rays showed a slight reverse rotation, my vet was surprised as he felt the feet looked good, vet and farrier then had a disagreement regarding treatment, vet wanted bar shoes and wedges, farrier wanted bar shoes or no shoes!!
We went for the middle ground of bar shoes so that the horse could continue to compete, which has gone well, he is now having a break so today my happy farrier took his shoes off.

We were a little concerned that he would be sore, the ground was frozen so not ideal for first day without shoes, the horse was not bothered, he towed me across the yard, over the stones, skipped on the rutted icy mud and galloped off:) He came in just as well so hoping he will come out in the morning the same way and that his feet can continue to improve, the vet is not sure about this barefoot idea;) but at least my farrier is confident it is what the horse needs.
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Great news, Positive :)

My current rehab had negative coffin bone angle in the front feet and was shod with wedges due to lameness. It only worked for a few months. He went jumping for the first time yesterday on a 5 mile farm ride and is lovely and sound today. Three years unsound. One year "retired". And fingers crossed, now sound.

Don't be disappointed if this horse of yours goes footie in a couple of weeks time. It's a very common thing to happen, almost as if "stuff" inside the feet "wakes up". It will pass.

Bad luck with the timing!
 
BWa said:
Mine came off today too (horse's that is!) Backs off been off for a while and they are doing great, but as far as I can tell this will be the first time he has been without fronts for 18 years. Eek. Hope he copes as well as yours OP tomorrow.
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Good luck with yours, my oldie says 18 years is nothing:p, his came off after 28!! took them off last year and he has been fine having been shod since he was 4.
 
cptrayes said:
Great news, Positive :)

My current rehab had negative coffin bone angle in the front feet and was shod with wedges due to lameness. It only worked for a few months. He went jumping for the first time yesterday on a 5 mile farm ride and is lovely and sound today. Three years unsound. One year "retired". And fingers crossed, now sound.

Don't be disappointed if this horse of yours goes footie in a couple of weeks time. It's a very common thing to happen, almost as if "stuff" inside the feet "wakes up". It will pass.

Bad luck with the timing!
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Thanks for the support, pleased your horse is doing so well.

I am half expecting a set back but he will be having 4 weeks or so off work before starting walking out, boots can be bought if required, for the owners it will still be cheaper than wedges and possibly laming him properly.
 
Another thought is eBay or Phoenix forum for 2nd hand boots... :)

The mare I took bf 6 months ago was sound when we took shoes off but growth did not keep up with wear and so we had to boot last week. She was on a strict exercise regime (tendon rehab) so walked for up to 45mins a day on fairly rough stuff. Don't underestimate the boot!
 
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I am perhaps a little over cautious, but I usually advise people to be careful for the first two weeks post de-shoeing and stick to softer or level surfaces - even when the horse feels fine.

Often the sole is thin and can be at risk of bruising or even worse - sub-solar abscessing.

After two weeks you should expect most horses to have enough padding to protect their coffin bone adequately.
 
fabulous news, but i agree with others re be careful, even if he feels goo take it steady for a while, if he has been shod and in heart bars the cadual hoof will be mush and will take some time to recover... but recover it will and your horse will have years of soundness ahead of him :) well done!!!
 
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