sore flat footed pony

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kiz0806

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We bought our son his first pony(16yr old 12.2 welsh x) last summer who developed laminits so didn't get much done with him last year. Are trying to crack on with him this year and get out and about a bit more as my son is more confident but the pony has very flat feet(possibly due to being a laminitic, not sure!) and when we ride out of the field on hard or stony ground he goes lame and seems very uncomfortable, as soon as he is on soft ground he is fine again. He is currently unshod, wonderingif anybody knows whether shoeing him would solve the problem or if there is anything that we can put on his feet that would 'harden' them up. If possible we would like to keep him barefoot as he is just being ridden at home at the moment. No competing yet! Any ideas would be great. Sorry this is so long!!!
 
I have the same issue.....although my horse is now shod in front
The problem I have is that he has no heels so he still gets foot sore even with shoes ..........i have started to continue riding him through it and actually I think his feet are hardening. I am also feeding D & H safe and sound ( laminitis safe, also has biotin etc within feed) and applying some Kevin Bacon hoof paste.
farrier is going to concentrate on allowing his heels to grow, I am hoping to see a full improvement in the next 6-9 months

Tobysmum does you pony apply most of his weight to his toes...?
 
Definetly say to your vet/farrier- I think shoes would help...

Have a look in the new lounge forum- there is a post there about a horse with collapsed heels (+flat feet). Not sure if it'll apply to you but may help!
smile.gif
 
thats my post, flat feet and collapsed heels big on my mind at the mo. Maybe see how he goes with shoes, just in front to start. After seeing xrays of my horses feet today his pedal bone had rotated like a laminitic but not due to laminitis - he was due to the fact his heels have collapsed due to poor confirmation excerrabated by poor shoeing resulting in very unbalanced feet. the change in his foot confirmation made him 3/10ths lame - maybe this has happened with yours but only xrays would determine that

If your pony is a native type he should have good strong feet so 'should' be able to go barefoot with ease but I am no expert !!!! I would speak to your farrier first .....
 
My old mare has odd feet and one flat foot in front. She has been shod with pads (plasticy rubbbery things??) and she has been great for the last few years. She has been far less 'footy' and much more comfortable with them. I pay around £10 per shoeing for a pair. I have them replaced every other (6 week) shoeing. She is on very light exercise with little or no road work at present.
 
If you want to keep him unshod you could use hoof boots as an alternative. They'll protect the whole of his sole and prevent wear on his walls.
 
i would say go and try to fronts see if they help. if you want to keep him un shot you can get track boots witch you put on for when he is working and just take them off again they are about 100 pounds. another way of getting your horses feet hard is apply eucolyptus oil all over hoofa nd sole that will help harden them up!
 
he doesn't seem to put weight on his toes, when on hard or stony ground he seems to lean back a little bit and try not to put weight on his feet, almost like when he did have lami.
 
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