Toe down first

[Birker2020]

Ok before we start I don't want any nasty comments please. This is heartbreaking enough finding myself in the position I'm in with an unrideable missold horse.

I had Lari's shoes taken off on 23rd November as the conditions were great for the barefoot transition and my farrier agreed saying his feet were in the best shape he'd seen him - he'd been working hard over 11 shoeings at 5 week intervals to remedy the large crack on the inside of his off fore.

So as not to drip feed Lari is hopefully going to the bloodbank in April so I given him plenty of time to get used to being barefoot. He's coped amazingly well and still gallops off every morning when staff turn him out and plays with the others over the fence as b4.

He's not ridden, hence the bloodbank and he's not been on the walker since he transitiined to BF.

However although he's walking well on a variety of surfaces: concrete, dirt track and grass I've noticed this last few days he's quite toe down when walking. I initially thought it was conditions had got icy so he had changed his way of walking to prevent slipping but now wondering if he's a bit sore at the back of his heel.

Should I monitor him and think about hoof boots? Can they stay in hoof boots overnight in readiness for turnout the next day?

Should i just keep going as he is. He's not pottery or lame or even short and doesnt appear to favour grass to concrete or track but it's just the toe down I've suddenly noticed more since the frost. I do get that they may sometimes alter the way the foot hits the ground initially after transitioning to cope withthe ground conditions. Am I worrying needlessly? I love this horse and just worry about him.

Thanks.

 

[Goldenstar]

First you check again thrush even the smallest amount will derail a horse new to being with out shoes they often feel it more when you get frozen ground .
Personally I would not use hoof boots in slippy conditions and no you would not use them over night they need to be put on in the morning then the horse moves about a bit and you adjust the fit when they have bedded in .
Is he toe first landing with all four feet ?

 

[Highmileagecob]

It may be worth checking if your farrier has taken the heels down a bit low for Lari's liking. Take a look at the Cavallo barefoot trim video on line, and try to compare the back third of the hoof with Lari's. Hoof wall should not be at sole level on the back third, it should be a little proud of the sole and balanced with the bars in order to support the heel. Simple remedy, but may take six weeks or so to grow in if that is the reason. If all looks good, has he bruised a heel in the cold weather by leaping around on hard ground? Lastly, he may brewing up an abscess because his feet are changing shape internally. All fixable, but not really what you want after all the work you have put into him. Hope he comes good soon.

 

[nutjob]

One of mine had a bit of a strange action at the front and in RL or normal speed videos looked like he was landing toe first. In slo mo the toe flipped up just before the hoof touched the ground and the heel hit the ground first.

Good idea to find out which feet are definitely affected if not all 4.

 

[Birker2020]

UPDATE: spoke to my friend who is a vet physio last night and she looked at him walk and said he didn't appear to be doing it now, he looks like he is slightly toe down but as you said Nutjob just before the hoof touches the ground he changes the action so the heel is hitting the ground first. She thought I'd probably spotted it because it was the adjustment to the ice conditions that we've had since about last Monday which would correlate with when I noticed him walking toe first but he certainly wasn't doing it last night, so that's put my mind at rest.

A couple of liveries have complimented his feet, no cracks or anything so hopefully we can continue, I put frog oil on once or twice a week to prevent thrush after treating daily in the one hoof for about a week before he had his shoes removed.

Thank you for your comments, I'm obviously worrying for nothing but just wanted to make sure.

 

[Highmileagecob]

Brilliant news.

 

[AntiPuck]

You can use hoof boots for 24/7 turnout (as long as they're a brand designed for this, and many of them are now and will say as such on their websites) - mine has been out in flex boots, as the rutted, frosty ground was causing her problems, and they have really helped.

I was watching her walk about in them in the snow today as well and was impressed with how stable she looked - I guess the designers of them, being that they are from Finland, are well-used to dealing with this kind of weather.

 

[Fieldlife]

UPDATE: spoke to my friend who is a vet physio last night and she looked at him walk and said he didn't appear to be doing it now, he looks like he is slightly toe down but as you said Nutjob just before the hoof touches the ground he changes the action so the heel is hitting the ground first. She thought I'd probably spotted it because it was the adjustment to the ice conditions that we've had since about last Monday which would correlate with when I noticed him walking toe first but he certainly wasn't doing it last night, so that's put my mind at rest.

A couple of liveries have complimented his feet, no cracks or anything so hopefully we can continue, I put frog oil on once or twice a week to prevent thrush after treating daily in the one hoof for about a week before he had his shoes removed.

Thank you for your comments, I'm obviously worrying for nothing but just wanted to make sure.

IME best way to judge landings is with slow motion video taken from ground level. My iPhone has a slow motion video option.

I can’t judge reliably at normal speed.

Also walking has to be briskly forwards if lazy walking tends to be more likely to be toe first.