|
|
Post by wdf on Aug 19, 2008 7:15:35 GMT -1
Sian's one front foot is tearing across where the nails are again  Ive been battling with her poor foot condition now for over two years, her wall WAS becoming stronger until all this wet weather PLUS my farrier has been on holiday so ive had to leave her for far longer than i would normally; i say long BUT for you it may be a short while, this will be the 7th week and generally HAVE to get her reshod every 5/6 weeks as 1 - we wear the nails/shoes down so they drop off 2 - her feet grow too fast Anyway, farrier is back off his jollies and coming Thursday but sadly i think its too late and her one foot will be un-shoeable as by then im SURE the walls of her feet will have been ripped off  Tacking shoes offIve thought about this alot but never had the courage to do it as when Sian has lost a shoe (always front) she becomes VERY sore and really struggles to walk across the cobbly tracks at the yard let alone go out hacking. She has predominantly white hoof which i believe isn't as strong as black so im not sure IF she could go unshod at all  Ive looked at many Hoof Boots but as with everything ALL have pros / cons & people have personal preferences; i like the look/sound of the "Marquis" boot as you can pump it full of air rather than tighten it to fit funny shaped feet but i don't know anyone thats had them. This foot problem is REALLY getting me down now as i think its gone on for long enough and all my farrier says is "She just has a thin wall which makes shoeing difficult". Im at a loss as to what to do next  |
|
|
|
Post by olivia on Aug 19, 2008 11:21:49 GMT -1
Hi, I know many people who've solved the shoeing problem by going barefoot. I am a firm believer in barefoot, and that most (but I appreciate not all) horses could go barefoot given the time and effort needed. I very firmly believe that the hoof, leg and entire horse, is healthier than with a metal shoe on. However the transition to barefoot isn't easy - you are talking at least months, if not years to get feet completely right. Particularly when you first take shoes off there is quite a bit of foot soreness, plus potential issues like abcessing etc. I would never consider going barefoot as a easy or cheaper option. I also believe that generally you will get better results using someone who specialises in bare foot trimming, or has at least studied it extensively. There are some farriers who've done a LOT of work on barefoot (and I'd probably chew my arm off to get one - best of both worlds type of thing) but many (if not most) have not. There are several schools of barefoot trimming. There are at least two groups claiming to be "equine podiatrists" - they seem to follow the same teachings of KC Pierre, but have formed two groups.... I'm about to try one of these people to do Tilly, so I'll let you know how it goes!!! There are also those who train in America with the American Association of Natural Hoofcare Practitioners (AANHCP) - there are a few in the UK and I used one up in Liverpool who I rated very highly. Sadly i've not found someone near Shropshire who has that training. There are also the Strasser trims who seem to have fallen out of failure following some quite appalling cruelty cases - I don't know if it's the methodology which is flawed, or the people mis interpretting it, but I'm avoiding it. I've never had to use boots with Tilly - she was only shod for about 8 months, so I had it very easy (good job as no one makes boots big enough for Tilly!!!). But looking at other people it does seem to be very dependent on the size and shape of the hoof. What works superbly for one person is hopeless for someone else. I know some people have initially had to use the boots pretty much full time, maybe only taking them off in the field and stable, but using them to, for example, go from the stable to the field. You should be able to read this board www.enlightenedequitation.com/ee/boards/index.php?board=43.0 although not post on it. Lots of really good info there. Olivia |
|
|
|
Post by zeldalithgow on Aug 19, 2008 11:23:47 GMT -1
What a nightmare, is she on any hoof supplements to help the hoof condition? I think it's been proved that white feet are no weaker than black in general ( I may be wrong tho ;D) and on the whole I feel that going barefoot can help the health of the hoof, though it can take a while for the change over it depends on the horse, some of course don't cope, don't suppose this is much help lol  just my views ;D I hope you can find a solution to Sian's problems |
|
|
|
Post by wdf on Aug 19, 2008 12:19:35 GMT -1
Hi, I would never consider going barefoot as a easy or cheaper option. Olivia i did choose for Sian to go Barefoot it certainly would NOT be for cost but an attempt to strengthen her hoof; im fully aware that it could take months which is why im thinking now as there may be a slim chance if started now she'd be ready and back to full work April next year (wishfull thinking possibly) PLUS im going to be breaking my Black pony come Christmas so Sian will be taking a short holiday anyway. Upon "surfing the net" earlier it appears that there's a DAEP only a couple of miles away from where i am, ive Emailed them for more information & costs. I don't want to slate my farrier as his been REALLY good with me over the years BUT everytime he comes he ends up losing his temper when he can't get nails in, knocks one in - pulls it back out, knocks another in - pulls it back out; when i question him he just says "its using the same track and i don't want that". Im NO farrier BUT surely if you repeatildy put holes in the wall that alone is weakening it |
|
|
|
Post by dalesponyrider on Aug 19, 2008 12:20:55 GMT -1
How far are you from Derby?
|
|
|
|
Post by olivia on Aug 19, 2008 12:28:33 GMT -1
IF i did choose for Sian to go Barefoot it certainly would NOT be for cost but an attempt to strengthen her hoof; im fully aware that it could take months which is why im thinking now as there may be a slim chance if started now she'd be ready and back to full work April next year (wishfull thinking possibly) PLUS im going to be breaking my Black pony come Christmas so Sian will be taking a short holiday anyway. Sorry didn't mean to suggest that you would be doing it for cost/easiness. I've just spent the last 8 years being told "Oh that must save you so much time and money" that it's become a bit of a pavlovian response to go "But it's neither cheap nor easy" Sorry!!! |
|
|
|
Post by wdf on Aug 19, 2008 12:36:53 GMT -1
What a nightmare, is she on any hoof supplements to help the hoof condition? She's been on Equimins Hoof Mender powder for over 12months now and uptil NOW her walls have been getting stronger to accept the nails better; i REALLY think that taking her that extra week has been far too much for her hoof to take. IF id have known the farrier was on holiday id have had her done EARLIER than normal BUT my farrier will only book you in 7 days MAX before you want him, so onn this occaision ive had no alternative by to have his first available date |
|
|
|
Post by wdf on Aug 19, 2008 12:39:47 GMT -1
You needn't apologise I didn't take offence  i know ALOT think barefoot is a cheap otion |
|
|
|
Post by wdf on Aug 19, 2008 12:40:41 GMT -1
How far are you from Derby? About 1.5hrs |
|
|
|
Post by olivia on Aug 19, 2008 12:46:55 GMT -1
LOL - I re read my post and I did sound like I was talking with my head up my own bottom! So the apology was needed  Upon "surfing the net" earlier it appears that there's a DAEP only a couple of miles away from where i am, ive Emailed them for more information & costs. What's the name of the DAEP you've found? You're not a million miles from me so I'm wondering if it's the same chap who's coming out to see Tilly? |
|
|
|
Post by wdf on Aug 19, 2008 12:54:33 GMT -1
|
|
|
|
Post by olivia on Aug 19, 2008 12:59:34 GMT -1
Ahh no - different chap, but the same "school" - I'm trying out Tom Bowyer.
Olivia
|
|
|
|
Post by wdf on Aug 19, 2008 13:13:03 GMT -1
I'm trying out Tom Bowyer. Olivia I've looked at his website, you must let me know how you get on! I've NO intention to have shoes on DikDoc so i MAY get that man out to him and see how we get on He's actually Email me back and said the 1st consulation is free and thereafter £25 a time - that sounds OK to me |
|
|
|
Post by nars on Aug 19, 2008 13:23:19 GMT -1
HI,
I think in a recent copy of H&H there was an article on some new shoes that were glued on but offered lots of cushioning. I'll see if I can dig it out as maybe it will be an option.
|
|
|
|
Post by Biggerside Benwell on Aug 19, 2008 21:22:30 GMT -1
£25 is definately a good price as our farrier who is a very good trimmer also charges £30.
Good luck getting them sorted a livery whgo has just moved onto our yard is facing the same nightmare.
|
|
just my views ;D I hope you can find a solution to Sian's problems
i know ALOT think barefoot is a cheap otion
