Thoughts on mystery lameness

I have just quickly looked at your recent posts about her change since she has been home, this is not really about her lameness as such but was she in a barn with grills between horses, I had a mare that hated being looked at by the boys, she did not seem to be really bothered but something was not quite right, I moved her to an outside stable where she could be more private and she was a changed horse, so much more relaxed. Just a thought.
 
As for taking the shoes off, I HAVE to let myself be lead by the professionals that have seen her, as much as I value and appreciate your suggestions I can't be paying hundreds out to people and then just go against what they suggest? Otherwise there is very little point in asking OR indeed paying them anything?
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I think you'll find, if you go on to the UKNHCP forum, that this is exactly where a lot of us got to. The "professionals" only have a number of tools in their bag - nail things on, cut bits off, stick drugs in. Beyond that there isn't much they can do.

Kind of the same as your doctor - cut bits off, or stick chemicals in. :)

So those of us with horses that just were not getting any better under the vet and farrier interventions chose to walk a different path and went down a conservative route and set things up so nature could work as intended.

The pics you posted showed a long foot, slightly stretched white line, under run, a new angle struggling to come down.....all the kind of things that just getting the shoes off and giving a supportive diet and environment can sort out.
 
Christmassy_Clover said:
Well no admittedly my farrier told me he was not taking it all off in one fell swoop, so they are not perfect by any means via one shoeing.
I think a change of yard may be in order when she goes back to livery also, as happy as I am with the yard the change in the horses mental outlook since she's been home has been phenomenal.
I have been thinking about soaking her hay down and bringing the weight off her, she has coped outstandingly well being out (better than perhaps I'd thought) so she could do with losing some now.
As for taking the shoes off, I HAVE to let myself be lead by the professionals that have seen her, as much as I value and appreciate your suggestions I can't be paying hundreds out to people and then just go against what they suggest? Otherwise there is very little point in asking OR indeed paying them anything? :confused:
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I'm not intending to rain on your bonfire or make you feel bullied into ignoring your vet or farrier:)

You're farrier is absolutely correct in making small improvements over time.

My point is just that, even though there is some improvements to the hooves, they're still not great and not to take your eye off the ball.

Lots of owners will just carry on as normal and start ignoring the hooves once a new farrier is engaged.

You're already on top of it, so the point is mute really:)

A lot of owners are faced with ongoing lameness and hoof pathology and have nowhere to turn, so they have to chose another path than the vets or farriers offer, or PTS.

You're clever mare gave you a warning that she wasn't happy on her hooves before anything major 'blew'. So you have time.

If the shoes are working for her - then great...but if they don't and your vet and farrier can't help and you need another way, we'll be here to help.
 
be positive said:
I have just quickly looked at your recent posts about her change since she has been home, this is not really about her lameness as such but was she in a barn with grills between horses, I had a mare that hated being looked at by the boys, she did not seem to be really bothered but something was not quite right, I moved her to an outside stable where she could be more private and she was a changed horse, so much more relaxed. Just a thought.
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No but at livery she's alone in a barn of 7 stables, with only another horse in the next outdoor barn to "hear". At home she's on 24/7 turnout with her two welshie friends :)
 
Re: low starch and sugars diet - can anyone recommend me a feeding plan?
I don't actually feed her much, she doesn't need it - however if feeding will genuinely help her feet then I can work it in somehow!
She has been on, Naf pink powder, hi-fi lite, cool mix, biotin and apple cider vinegar.
 
Hi CC, just to let you know, many of us barefooters have gone against the professionals when our gut instinct told us there was a better way. My thin soled flat tender footed TB was dx with navicular at age 12 so was remedial shod for the next eight years and was told the shoes would slow down the progression/deterioration. Six years ago I went against my vet and farrier and had his shoes removed. It does take courage and determination to do the right thing for your horse. Now he is nearly 24 and his feet have never looked better - it was the best decision I made for my horse - he wouldn't be here now if I'd have followed the vets and farriers advice.
Good luck and be brave.
 
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