Should I have done more?

[Waxwing]

Hi the person who has taken my former horse on has had the horse seen by their farrier who has advised she needs remedial farriery to correct hoof imbalance. This wasn't suggested she she had the initial investigations in her lameness/ issues and wasn't suggested by either of the farrier who have were previously shoeing her. I am assuming the hoof imbalance is linked the SI issues and the pelvic tilt. I am now feeling guilty that I didn't investigate this as an option, and if I had done whether it would have lead to a different outcome for us. I am very please if the new farrier can make her more comfortable, but now wonder if I could or should have done more.

 

[Amymay Again]

You went over and beyond, and have nothing to feel guilty about.

Other professionals will have different opinions, and that's fine. It doesn't mean that yours, or you, were wrong.

 

[eahotson]

In short,no.

 

[Waxwing]

Thank you I suppose I was wondering if she had had remedial shoeing would that have meant I kept her. In reality that I do know what while remedial shoeing will hopefully make her more comfortable it will not suddenly mean she will have been fit to do everything I wanted to do. It will hopefully mean that alongside the SI treatment and physio she will be comfortable in her new intended role as a gentle happy hacker.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

You were guided by your vet. I have known vets recommend a particular remedial farrier in some cases, so I don't think your vet felt that hoof balance was a factor in your horse's case, or they would have said so.

The new farrier is looking at the horse post-treatment remember. And the new farrier might not be right, who knows?

 

[TheMule]

Does the new farrier have x-ray vision? Because without a good quality set of foot x-rays, I really don’t think hoof balance can be fully assessed

 

[Tiddlypom]

Farrier wants to big themselves up by stating THEY can see issues that need addressing that the vets and previous farrier/hoof care provider couldn’t.

New farrier might make things worse, not better.

Sorry, OP, see this too often with farriers. If you have passed her on it is best not to worry about it.

 

[bonnysmum]

Farrier wants to big themselves up by stating THEY can see issues that need addressing that the vets and previous farrier/hoof care provider couldn’t.

New farrier might make things worse, not better.

Sorry, OP, see this too often with farriers. If you have passed her on it is best not to worry about it.

This. Our farrier is great and my mare's hooves have improved a lot, plus he works closely with my vet, BUT when he first started re-balancing the fronts it exacerbated a slight lameness which turned out to be ringbone. I don't think there is ever a perfect answer.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Does the new farrier have x-ray vision? Because without a good quality set of foot x-rays, I really don’t think hoof balance can be fully assessed

I agree I would take your vets opinion on this over a farrier who doesn’t have the full picture. Don’t worry you did everything you could for her and more than a lot of people would have!

 

[Peglo]

Thank you I suppose I was wondering if she had had remedial shoeing would that have meant I kept her. In reality that I do know what while remedial shoeing will hopefully make her more comfortable it will not suddenly mean she will have been fit to do everything I wanted to do. It will hopefully mean that alongside the SI treatment and physio she will be comfortable in her new intended role as a gentle happy hacker.

Even if it might have helped her, the mares spooking and feeling of explosiveness made you lose confidence in her. Horses will always react to something. When you have the right horse for you their spooking just won’t worry you like that. It’ll just be one of those things.

You made the right decision for you and the horse and you really couldn’t have done any more for her.

 

[limestonelil]

What everyone else has said.Absolutely. Don't beat yourself up about it WW,easier said than done probably. It sounds like you're unnecessarily blaming yourself for things,not just considering/musing on the what if's.

 

[canteron]

No, you did the best with the information you could find - and you worked hard to educate yourself.
But the point with horses is we are always learning, and you will learn from this, and if this works for the horse wouldnt that be great

 

[eahotson]

I think Waxwing now is the time to move on.Your horse has and so should you.You did your best.Start looking forward now.

 

[Waxwing]

Thank you for all your messages; I fully agree that I need to move on and look forward. This is not something I am great at, in general I do too much revisiting of events in my mind and thing what if.

I invested so much time and emotion into the horse, never mind finances, that it is has been difficult to let go. However in looking back through some of the stuff related to her rehab I found a message from the physio specifically stating she had spoken to the vet about whether any change in shoeing was required and they were clear they did not feel it would be helpful. (This was the vet who had done the full workup including scans and x rays.) I obviously hope the new owner's farrier can help but I am reassured I didn't miss anything.

Anyway moving on now. . Thank you everyone for your support I do find the forum very helpful.

My daughter has just taken on a share for three days a week of a lovely pony. The owners are happy for her to take it out and about a bit in the summer once they get going together. The pony is on a yard with good hacking and a ménage, instructor available for lessons and other teenagers she can ride with if she wants to. That has been a real positive this week.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Thank you for all your messages; I fully agree that I need to move on and look forward. This is not something I am great at, in general I do too much revisiting of events in my mind and thing what if.

I invested so much time and emotion into the horse, never mind finances, that it is has been difficult to let go. However in looking back through some of the stuff related to her rehab I found a message from the physio specifically stating she had spoken to the vet about whether any change in shoeing was required and they were clear they did not feel it would be helpful. (This was the vet who had done the full workup including scans and x rays.) I obviously hope the new owner's farrier can help but I am reassured I didn't miss anything.

Anyway moving on now. . Thank you everyone for your support I do find the forum very helpful.

My daughter has just taken on a share for three days a week of a lovely pony. The owners are happy for her to take it out and about a bit in the summer once they get going together. The pony is on a yard with good hacking and a ménage, instructor available for lessons and other teenagers she can ride with if she wants to. That has been a real positive this week.

that sounds so great for your daughter and just what she needs to rebuild her confidence! Wishing you a summer of fun filled horsey days together once you've found something suitable!

 

[Alibear]

agree with the others. You did all you could and followed the professionals advise. New professional has new ideas but it doesn’t mean there’ll be a miracle cure.