Sore after trim for how long?

[Hormonal Filly]

Equine podiatrist trimmed my horses feet 2 weeks ago. They hadn’t been trimmed for 8 weeks and just needed a tidy. She was walking out across stones, tarmac absolutely fine. The trimmer took her bars and flare off.

The next morning (in over night) she was footy, and has been ever since. She has been on some summer grass in the last 7 days but prior to this was being kept in, so cant blame grass/sugar for the original footiness.

She had X-rays taken in January (because we xrayed elsewhere) and no issues found. Perfect X-rays.

How long does it usually take for them to become less footy?

I’m trying to get her fit, I do have boots but we have tarmac into fields where the boots slip. She also walks in from the field slowly now. Could be napping to, but she picks her way. Tempted to put some fronts on her, just so I’m able to get her fit in time for camp in June but not sure if that’s the wrong decision.

 

[stangs]

My boy's been trimmed by an EP before and has never gone footy afterwards. I'd contact them ASAP with a video of her moving, ask their thoughts, and ask why they did what they did.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

My boy's been trimmed by an EP before and has never gone footy afterwards. I'd contact them ASAP with a video of her moving, ask their thoughts, and ask why they did what they did.

Sorry, I forgot to add I did contact the EP. She said because her feet have been trimmed and having less foot, she’s more likely to be sore after a trim. She said she didn’t take any height or sole off, just tidied the flare up. She said most likely spring grass and the trim pushed her over the edge, but as said, she had been in for several days and was instantly sore the next morning after the trim so it doesn’t make sense to me it was grass.

 

[Goldenstar]

Just speak to your vet .
She has had pain for two weeks and that’s too long .

 

[Gloi]

This is the main reason nobody else touches mines feet.

 

[sassandbells]

2 weeks is a very long time to be sore from a trim.

The only time mine have ever been sore after was when we’ve had to remove quite a lot of hoof (one summer we had ridiculous growth and my 6 week cycle was too long) but it’s never lasted more than a day or two.

I’d probably be ringing my vet for some advice and to see if they think something else could be going on.

 

[Bellalily]

Hmmmm, personally I’d be dubious about having the trimmer back. I’ve only had this happen once with a trimmer, but every time with various farriers.

 

[Bellalily]

Is there any digital pulse?

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Just speak to your vet .
She has had pain for two weeks and that’s too long .

I’ll call him today, but he did visit us last week to sign her off. (All went well, but lunged on surface) Stupidly I forgot to mention it.. but I know he’ll most probably say (due to conversations before) she’s probably sore due to being trimmed, and to shoe her.

Will see what his thoughts are

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Is there any digital pulse?

No digital pulse

 

[Goldenstar]

At the very least she needs some pain relief it’s not reasonable to have her sore for so long .

 

[Hormonal Filly]

At the very least she needs some pain relief it’s not reasonable to have her sore for so long .

She was on bute for the first few days, I could start giving her some again. EP also said it could be related to moving yards (but that was a month ago)

 

[Arzada]

Sorry, I forgot to add I did contact the EP. She said because her feet have been trimmed and having less foot, she’s more likely to be sore after a trim.

So here we have the EP saying she trimmed to 'less foot' and therefore the horse is more likely to be sore after a trim. So you have to wonder why she hasn't learned the consequences of 'less foot' and trim accordingly. She would not revisit my horse.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

So here we have the EP saying she trimmed to 'less foot' and therefore the horse is more likely to be sore after a trim. So you have to wonder why she hasn't learned the consequences of 'less foot' and trim accordingly. She would not revisit my horse.

Forgot to add. EP ‘that said, I still don’t expect them to be sore after a trim’

I feel guilty she went from confidently rock crunching to choosing where to step. I will boot to ride tomorrow and see what my vets thoughts are.

 

[Bellalily]

So here we have the EP saying she trimmed to 'less foot' and therefore the horse is more likely to be sore after a trim. So you have to wonder why she hasn't learned the consequences of 'less foot' and trim accordingly. She would not revisit my horse.

I’m glad someone else has been brutally honest. I’d be giving her a wide berth too. What area are you in, only I do know one other EP who said the same to me four years ago, and never returned.

 

[IrishMilo]

After two weeks of sore feet I really wouldn't be riding, especially when you don't actually know what's wrong.

 

[Tiddlypom]

If the EP is a member of the Equine Podiatry Association you *should* have some comeback and back up if you have issues that cannot satisfactorily be resolved with your EP.

No names, no pack drill, but this is a list of EPA members.

Our Members - The Equine Podiatry Association

Register of Members The Association maintains a list of all members. Members are recorded according to class of membership. The Association publishes the section of the register which lists full members - those that are qualified as Equine Podiatrists and have met the association's requirements...

www.epauk.org

Those using or intending to use an Equine Podiatrist are encouraged to check that their EP is listed in the published list. EPs listed here are backed by the association’s rules and will be subject to disciplinary action where those rules are broken. Professionals not listed here do not come with that backing.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Thank you @Tiddlypom, the EP is on the list.

At the very least she needs some pain relief it’s not reasonable to have her sore for so long .

Spoke to my vet this morning, he said to start her on bute twice a day for 2 days then one a day.. and see if she improves. If no pulses he highly doubts laminitis having seen her last week. He suspects she is just sore after a trim and might need front shoes.

 

[Goldenstar]

After two weeks of sore feet I really wouldn't be riding, especially when you don't actually know what's wrong.

I have to agree getting the horse fit for camp would be a low priority atm .
The horse needs to made comfortable .
A vet needs to assess what’s causing the pain , it’s extreme probable to be related to the that it’s related to the trim but it may not be, particularly as it’s a fortnight now , a straight forward foot soreness .
It may be that interfering with the flares has adjusted the balance and something that the horse was saving now hurts .
This is exactly what would happen to my horse H who has a chronic DDFT issue .
It could something else entirely .
Horse who change their gait due to foot soreness are a risk of setting off achain of events where all sorts of bad things can happen.
A vet needs a look I think .

PS just seen your last post, good do what the vet says and keep her comfy give her time to rest every day on a deep bEd and yes shoes might be what’s needed but you need to get her through the next fortnight and see where you are .

 

[Polos Mum]

As above - I would be mortified if mine was sore after a trim as would my EP

 

[MuddyMonster]

Personally, if I had any concerns about laminitis (and it would always be my immediate go to for foot sore horses in the Spring-Autumn ) or an undiagnosed lameness no matter how minor I wouldn't be rushing to put shoes on until fully sound (if at all) as it will mask the subtleties in my experience.

Unfortunately, clean X rays in January don't mean an awful lot now as there may haven't been changes since.

I'm not suggesting shoes are wrong and if a horse is struggling barefoot then shoes can help but I would only do it knowing there is no underlying issues.

The problem I find is that there are still some professionals (including, worryingly, some vets) that don't recognise the signs of sub clinical or low grade laminitis.

With the weather we've been having, it's the perfect storm for low grade laminitis even just a few hours too long can be too much for some horses and can make them footsore, especially if they've been ridden through it.

Mine has just had a minor flare up of LGL and he went from everyone (including barefoot trimmer & vet) have been telling me how well he looked and was moving amazingly to choosing his way through stony or gritty tracks, a touch less bouncy on concrete and looked a touch short on a circle if you squinted in about 24 hours. There was no heat in the feet, no digital pulses, he isn't overweight but he was immediately stopped all work, box rested, bute given & 100% sound off bute within 3 days. I'd put hoof boots on in the stable if necessary to offer more support too.

Then we've re-introduce grass slowly when fully sound, as if they have been off it, some are more sensitive to it and a questionable trim could really affect this on top.

Longterm, I wouldn't be using an EP or farrier that made my horse footy after a time and couldn't advise how they can help prevent it next time but you don't necessarily need to jump straight to shoes if you don't want to shoe. A sympathetic trimmer and boots can make a big difference.

I must admit, after 2 weeks I'd be getting a vet out ASAP to assess and re-x ray as a minimum and start a work up if not LGL.

 

[ycbm]

Spoke to my vet this morning, he said to start her on bute twice a day for 2 days then one a day.. and see if she improves. If no pulses he highly doubts laminitis having seen her last week. He suspects she is just sore after a trim and might need front shoes.

Why would she need shoes if she was fine before the trim? What she needs, surely, is not to repeat that trim. And then to work out, if it's not the trim, why she is now sore when she wasn't before. The most likely culprit for that at this time of year is grass, and the foot soreness only a symptom of a whole body problem.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Why would she need shoes if she was fine before the trim? What she needs, surely, is not to repeat that trim. And then to work out, if it's not the trim, why she is now sore when she wasn't before. The most likely culprit for that at this time of year is grass, and the foot soreness only a symptom of a whole body problem.

Hoping she won’t need them. My vet is quite pro shoe I’ve realised.

I’ve got some bute on the way.. but after 4 hours being in today she walked absolutely fine to the field. No soreness even on the uneven tarmac and stony bits. Confidently walked out. Wondering if some of it is napping coming in from the field. She is paddocked with ad-lib hay.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

This is why I would never use a barefoot trimmer they are talking absolute crap no horse should ever be sore after a trim.

I certainly wouldn't be using them again they have caused you to have to get a vet and use bute, I would be half inclined to be asking for the trim money back at the very least.

I would use boots and pads while she is still sore and possibly bute 2 weeks is a long time.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

This is why I would never use a barefoot trimmer they are talking absolute crap no horse should ever be sore after a trim.

I certainly wouldn't be using them again they have caused you to have to get a vet and use bute, I would be half inclined to be asking for the trim money back at the very least.

I would use boots and pads while she is still sore and possibly bute 2 weeks is a long time.

I’ve told the trimmer I’m taking my vets advice and she’s on bute. No reply as of yet.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I’ve told the trimmer I’m taking my vets advice and she’s on bute. No reply as of yet.

God I would be furious I hope she is better soon.

 

[Tiddlypom]

My former trimmer is also still on that EPA member's list. When he made my younger mare footsore (she strode in to her stable and hobbled out) his only suggestion was 'That'll be the grass'.

He didn't even watch her move after the trim, I found out when I went to put her out after he'd left. She is not a grass sensitive horse, it was a cr@p trim.

 

[ponyparty]

The EP that crippled my horse in 2018 is on that list still too. Bloody woman. I don’t know how these charlatans get away with it.

Hope your horse is feeling better soon… Can you boot in the meantime? Priority is getting her comfortable.

I remember the struggle well. It’s so hard to know what to do for the best when various professionals are saying the opposite thing. Really feel for you.

 

[Gloi]

The farrier made mine sensitive on stones by chopping back the frog and sole callous last time I foolishly let him trim mine because I was ill so I hadn't done them. Never again, even if I have to get out of my sick bed to do them.

 

[Bonnie Allie]

Before you bag the EP and place the blame on them, you said your horse hadn’t been trimmed for 8 weeks? And the EP dealt with the flares and overgrown bars?

8 weeks is too long to go before trimming. The trimmer would have wanted to leave the hooves neat and tidy but probably had to change angles, bring the toe right back, bring the heels back as well as deal with flares and overgrown bars. This is a lot and will change the way the hoof lands significantly as well as most likely have compensatory changes right up the limb.

Trim every 3-4 weeks if you want to maintain quality barefoot hooves. Find out what is causing the flares. Do a course yourself so you at least have some knowledge. Maybe even get confident enough to rasp in between trims if you are having flare issues.

If nothing else - there is an excellent FB group named Hoof Rehabilitation that has EP and farriers that post great insights that you can learn from.