Vetrofen for pregnant mares?

[Char0901]

I have a mare who was recently put in foal.
She's 13 and doesn't have the best legs. When she was in work we managed to keep her sound with a combination of good shoeing (corrective shoes on front) good tendon boots, the best stable boots I could find and Vetrofen worked wonders with her in the space of a few days.

Circumstances mean the she needs to live out over the summer, so she has had her shoes off and her feet haven't grown brilliantly and she is lame in front.

I wanted to know if Vetrofen could be given to mares in foal? Or if there is something that I could give her/do that would help.
And if anyone has any suggestions on keeping her sound whilst turned out in any other ways, it would be a great help.

I am really quite worried about her, she doesn't look good.

Any suggestions regarding anything remotely to do with my above situation would be hugely appretiated.
I really do feel quite stuck.

Thanks

 

[Racergirl]

Can she not just have shoes back on?

(sorry - I realise that it possibly isnt the most helpful comment, but some flat footed mares really still need them rather than us insisting we go without - I tried with mine for 6 months when I moved her to a lovely sandy stoneless field, but 5 months was enough and she needed hers back on in front - small price to pay to keep her comfortable (though id much rather she managed on her low sugar/good for feet diet!!)

Dont know about the Vetrofen - Im pretty sure I got told it was safe, but it was a long time ago that I looked into it...

 

[Char0901]

Actually it's more helpful than it may seem. This was my thought, however I've been told by a few people not to as she may pull one off while in the field... I'm not sure if this was because it could be a health issue or a financial cost to me... But I could live with having to replace the odd shoe if it meant she was more comfortable. It really helped her before so I think it's worth giving a go, I'll try anything!
Thanks for helping me make my decision, I'll stick with my gut, I know my mare after all.

I'll check with the vet about the Vetrofen, got lots of mixed advice about it.

Thanks again, it's actually really helped!

 

[Racergirl]

Not sure why people would worry about that - its not like shes any more likely to do it than she has been all the way through up to now... ??!!

End of the day, shes your horse, its your money, your concince and your decision - but its certainally where I would start (and did with mine!!) Red was suddenly very sore in front, and I knew that they wouldnt do a lameness exam without shoes at least in front, so I had a pair put on with the intention of giving it two weeks then when she was still lame Id take her to work to get looked at properly... well after a couple of days she was much better, and shes back to her usual self now !! (I was convinced it couldnt be her feet, becuse the new field is so much better than her old one!)

Theres a broodie in Ireland that I know of who has shoes that cost well into the high three figures every time she needs shoeing - but as she throws foals who sell for five and six figure sums,shes allowed them !!!

Best of luck with the foal and her

(oh - and Im glad Ive spotted you posted in two places - couldnt get my head round where my answer had gone at all - it was in here !! )