Uncomfortable after remedial shoeing?

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_jetset_

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My mare had her heart bars and equi pak fitted this morning and when I went back at 4pm she was pawing her bed a little (something she does when she is in discomfort) and looked pottery on her fronts
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I had to walk her under saddle for 20 minutes, so I got her out and as I got on I could feel her back was right up and she felt very unhappy
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I persevered for a little, resolving that if she did not start to loosen up, I would get off. So had a huge spook, and after that she dropped her back and was starting to step out as normal.

Could it just be the huge change in foot balance which was making her sore? I thought I would ask on here before I phoned my farrier (who incidentally already thinks I am neurotic...)

She has been diagnosed with mild inflammation to the impar ligament so egg bars, short toes etc have been prescribed.
 
Definitely there will be some discomfort. My chap was the same - pawing the ground, pointing, shuffling after he had heartbars and plastic pads on We took them off in the end (he has flat feet, collapsed heels, navicular syndrome anyway but this combination of remedial shoeing didnt help him at all) in the mind that the pad was actually crushing his frog and causing more pain surrounding the collapsed heels. I was told by the vet and farrier there will be about 5 days of uncomfortableness as the legs / feet get used to the different stresses placed on them (and indeed back and neck) when they have wedges etc especially if toes are cut right back.

If it continues more than 5 days / a week I would be looking at talking to vet and trying something different. Pads dont always work well for some horses, its a bit trial and error....
 
I really don't like this approach to fixing lameness which results in the horse being so uncomfortable that it can't settle in the stable. I just can't see how it can be right. Even if this is the correct remedial shoeing, surely it should be introduced gradually enough so as not to cause the horse distress?

Is equi pak a form of wedge/heel raiser or just flat sole guard? Some horses can't bear the wedges.

Some change in gait is to be expected, and the horse may still be lame, but IMHO it should not be uncomfortable at rest or just when walking around. If she still seems anxious tomorrow, get the farrier back, you're not being neurotic.
 
Flame_ the equi pak is just used as a sole guard. She has had it in for the past couple of shoeings as she is very sensitive with her feet and we have quite stony ground here. I did not want to go down the wedges route because of the complications which can occur as a result of them. My vet said it was an option, but he also agreed with me.

She is a really sensitive horse so that is why I was not too concerned with the pawing in her stable. When the vet has been, even to just leave something for me, she will paw continuously and not eat for 12 hours... This is something I now know happens so don't start panicking too much about the pawing
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After her 20 minutes of 'walk' she was much more settled. She was also stood evenly on her feet (she can sometimes place one slightly in front of the other which I now know is to releave pressure on the ligament) and I left her devouring her dinner and looking much happier.

I will see how she is this morning. It is hard to assess her gait in walk as she has never actually been lame. Her back was definitely up when I got on, but how much of this had been caused by the fact she has been box rested since Wednesday (she is a very fit horse who thrives with work) and how much was some discomfort within the feet following shoeing???
 
Yes it's very normal. Jesper had gel pads and natural balance shoes as treatment for collateral ligament damage. He often was 'footie' for a few days after shoeing. Shoeing causes concussion to the foot and this alone can cause some discomfort. It is likely it will take her up to 5 days to get used to the foot balance. I'd give your farrier a call or text tomorrow just to keep him updated but I wouldn't start worrying until Thursday.
 
I spoke to my farrier this evening... As Marchtime said, he just wanted an update.

This morning she is completely back to normal in her behaviour in her stable. I rode her for 20 mins (with the help of the super TopSpec Calmer... magic stuff) and she actually felt really loose through her shoulders which is good news. Her back was not up either so fingers crossed we are heading the right way
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