thin soles & stoney going

[mrsbloggett]

My mare has always been sensitive to stoney ground, however she has got alot worse following a bad attack of laminitis last year and the pedal bone rotated in one of her feet. The farrier has been trimming her to help re-align the angle of the pedal bone and the latest xrays look pretty good.

Both the vet & farrier agree that she should always be shod, which I agree with, because she is very uncomfortable without.

I am hoping to get her back into work soon, but am concerned over her discomfort on gravelly/ stoney going. Has anyone used boots such as Old Macs with a shod horse? Can it be done or do metal shoes wear them out too quickly?

Any other suggestions would be appreciated too. Thanks in anticipation

 

[zizz]

Have used old macs and always used to keep a pair for my ex racer who had feet as you describe, as he used to like pulling front shoes off and they were great for keeping him sound until the farrier came out. I wouldn't use them every day though i don't think they are designed for particularly heavy use either.
Have you tried moulded plastic pads under the shoes? my horse had these on all year round and was turned out for 10 hours a day minimum and never suffered with thrush as some people claim these cause. I think you can also get similar leather pads that perhaps are more breathable though not as hard wearing.

 

[MillionDollar]

Old macs are supposed to be quite good. But i have leather pads put on under my mares shoes. They cost just £5 extra and last 2 shoeings. My mare went lame and the vet couldn't work out why. I had my farrier out who suggested these pads, so I thought why not. Touch wood she hasn't been the slightest bit lame since!

 

[brightmount]

Old Macs aren't designed to be used with shod feet, except for loading as some horses who react to hoof clatter on the ramp are calmer being loaded in boots which also give better traction.

I would agree with the pads suggestion. One of my horses had equithane pads - an injectable rubber stuff like shower sealant that goes hard. It also helped to keep shoes on as he had virtually no wall to nail on to at the time. The only drawback is you can get small stones stuck under the pads, and it's quite expensive, but it would probably solve your immediate problem.

 

[custard]

Tried pads and everything under the sun! Ask your farrier to fit a wide web seated out shoe if all else fails.

 

[foraday]

Ask your farrier to use equiform-the gel does into the hoof and hardens and provides a cushion between the sole and the floor

good luck