*Tin hat* What would make an unshod horse wear toes down....

[Millthorn]

I think everyone is right in saying the older horse has more going on re joints etc.

Surely a horse that has been shod for that length of time and his joints/limbs have been made to work in a certain way would suffer from no longer having that support ? I know myself with my own joint problems that if I wear the wrong boots ( that don't support where I need it ) I can barely walk and it has a knock on effect else where including my back,wouldn't that be the same for a horse ?

 

[amandap]

Sadly stony tracks don't necessarily have the same effect as deep pea gravel. Pea gravel massages (for want of a better description) and helps exfoliate and support the under side of the hoof.

ps. Pea gravel is by no means essential. lol

 

[Meowy Catkin]

I think you missed the point that no Farrier THERE advocates leaving them unshod.You can't change a Country's attitude to horse care over night on a forum and isn't answering the original question about why it is happening ( even if you are right in what you say ) ...

IME there aren't many Farriers here that advocate unshod/BF.

I never expected to change a whole country's attitude with a couple of posts on a forum... why did you think I thought that?

I did answer the original question - I think the horses are wearing their toes back to the breakover point.

I think everyone is right in saying the older horse has more going on re joints etc.

Surely a horse that has been shod for that length of time and his joints/limbs have been made to work in a certain way would suffer from no longer having that support ? I know myself with my own joint problems that if I wear the wrong boots ( that don't support where I need it ) I can barely walk and it has a knock on effect else where including my back,wouldn't that be the same for a horse ?

Sorry but you are wrong. Taking the shoes off will allow the contracted heels to decontract. This is a slow process, so will not mess up the joints. The reduced concussion, due to not having shoes on will be a good thing for his possibly arthritic joints.

Look at the Rockley Blog and see how horses, some on the verge of PTS are given a new lease of life. http://rockleyfarm.blogspot.co.uk/

Bad Farriers can do so much damage.

I do understand that they are not my horses (I'm not that nutty ) and the owner is, of course, welcome to ignore everything I have written and do what they feel is best for their horses.

 

[PapaFrita]

I think everyone is right in saying the older horse has more going on re joints etc.

Surely a horse that has been shod for that length of time and his joints/limbs have been made to work in a certain way would suffer from no longer having that support ? I know myself with my own joint problems that if I wear the wrong boots ( that don't support where I need it ) I can barely walk and it has a knock on effect else where including my back,wouldn't that be the same for a horse ?

This was what I was thinking and it was my understanding that being shod, in particular if badly shod can cause permanent 'damage' making it impossible for a horse to go unshod.

 

[PapaFrita]

IME there aren't many Farriers here that advocate unshod/BF.

I must've lucked out; my farriers were incredibly supportive. In fact it was my first farrier's suggestion
I never expected to change a whole country's attitude with a couple of posts on a forum... why did you think I thought that?

I did answer the original question - I think the horses are wearing their toes back to the breakover point.

It's not all that clear in the photos, but India shows bruising, although she's sound. Is this normal after 9 months unshod (I checked; had dates wrong ) Does that mean that her very upright feet are just how they're meant to be?

Sorry but you are wrong. Taking the shoes off will allow the contracted heels to decontract. This is a slow process, so will not mess up the joints. The reduced concussion, due to not having shoes on will be a good thing for his possibly arthritic joints.

Why would he be starting to be sore now? Although this might be arthritis, or his old shoulder injury.

Bad Farriers can do so much damage.

And we have some SHOCKERS over here, believe me!

I do understand that they are not my horses (I'm not that nutty ) and the owner is, of course, welcome to ignore everything I have written and do what they feel is best for their horses.

I shall pass on the info Thanks

 

[Gloi]

I think that if the older horse was shod now he would start stumbling. His wear pattern is different to the younger horse's and I think it is due to him not picking his front feet up very well which is wearing the breakover back further than normal. In my opinion these feet are a symptom of another problem, not a problem in themselves and he should have the vet look at him and pinpoint the problem. It may just be arthritis due to wear and tear that being on bute or similar would help. IMHO that is. We have an old pony who wears his feet like this when his knees are giving him trouble.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

RE India - you said that he hooves were congenitally boxy IIRC? Really she needs a good Farrier (if you can get hold of one) to look at her an see if lowering her heels would be a good or bad thing. It's not something that I have the experience to judge from photos. If the problem is a congenital one, then you can cause trouble by fighting against their natural conformation and forcing the hooves into a more normal, pleasing or aesthetic shape, so caution is wise. If she slowly wore the heels down a bit herself, that would be the ideal, but from what you've said - isn't happening.

RE Hercules - He does seem likely that something else going on, so I agree that it should be investigated. Again a good Farrier would be such a help.

PF - can't you train as a trimmer? As an artistic person you'll have a head start being good with shape and form.

 

[PapaFrita]

RE India - you said that he hooves were congenitally boxy IIRC? Really she needs a good Farrier (if you can get hold of one) to look at her an see if lowering her heels would be a good or bad thing. It's not something that I have the experience to judge from photos. If the problem is a congenital one, then you can cause trouble by fighting against their natural conformation and forcing the hooves into a more normal, pleasing or aesthetic shape, so caution is wise. If she slowly wore the heels down a bit herself, that would be the ideal, but from what you've said - isn't happening.

Yes, the owner told me that her hinds were very upright when she was born. I agree that it's probably inadvisable to 'force' her heels down. I'll suggest a good farrier (I know ONE!)

PF - can't you train as a trimmer? As an artistic person you'll have a head start being good with shape and form.

Would love to. Not in the UK until next year though and I don't trust any farrier courses I've come across here. A very good farrier in the UK taught me how to look after my own horse's feet, but they're so straightforward compared to these.