Barefoot

[wdf]

Wasn't sure where to put this thread so IF the mods want to move it elsewhere, please do

Doc has got himself SO stressed out the last twice being shod that rightly or wrongly I've decided to have he's shoes taken off. My biggest reason being that even tho the farrier IS good he also on the other hand won't tolerate when Doc can't stand on 3 legs anymore so has a go at him and hold whichever leg up longer. Doc HAS to have breaks, you can see he's hind end tensing and that he isn't comfortable at all, I do appreciate that when nails are put in the last thing a farrier wants is he's calf or fingers sliced from a leg being suddenly snatched away.

SO, I've decided to take that "accident waiting to happen" out of the equasion and hope that the new wildhoof man has more patience than the farrier & will allow Doc to have breaks when he needs them.

[harveydales]

I can understand your decision. I would expect any farrier to appreciate the difficulty for a horse with muscle problems to stand for periods on 3 legs. Harvey was the same when he was suffering a couple of years ago and he is barefoot already. Fortunately my farrier was understanding. I don't think I would have wanted to put Harvey through shoeing procedure when he was at his worst. Good luck with going barefoot and please keep us posted.

[heathera]

None of my four have ever worn shoes. With hoof boots when required we do everything I'd do if they were shod with the exception of jumping over 2'6" ish.

[valerie n scout]

Scouts been barefoot now for a couple of years, best thing ever for him, I have boots if need be x

[wdf]

Jul 20, 2013 19:29:59 GMT -1 harveydales said:

I can understand your decision. . . . I don't think I would have wanted to put Harvey through shoeing procedure when he was at his worst.

Well Doc stood beautifully for the trimmer, barely any spasms no rearing or snatching of feet, I was shocked actually as he's NEVER been like it. Trimmer did the work all very low to the ground, he tried using the stand but Doc just wasn't comfortable having feet that high. Trimmer wasn't overly concerned with he's feet but did say we had thrush in the heels of all 4 feet.

24hrs later and although suspected I'm a little disappointed that we've gone lame pulses in the front feet which I'm hoping is purely shock based and the blood supply causing new sensations rather than being numb (which shoes cause). Obviously, as he's sore and bit reluctant to move he's muscles have gone slightly tight too, no more so than when he's been shod tho!

Going to be keeping him in till pulses have gone and then try walking him again, see if they raise again. If he's no better in couple days I will be getting vets to check him, muscle relaxant if poss? and maybe yet another attempt for a blood sample.

[Fi]

I'd've expected a farrier to be a bit more sympathetic too, glad to hear the trimmer was. Have you spoken to the trimmer about his lameness? When Sam struggled after one of his first trims, my trimmer came back and helped fit boots and pads to make him more comfortable.

I hope his pulses improve soon.

[harveydales]

Really hope things have will eased for him by morning. Please keep us posted. Glad the trimmer was more understanding.

[wdf]

Jul 22, 2013 18:57:32 GMT -1 Fi said:

I hope his pulses improve soon.

He seemed a bit happier this morning with a slight pulse in only the front left. He was also walking better with no hesitation from fear of cramping. Trimmer seemed to think it would be too early to have boots as said he's feet will change so if fitted now they wouldn't fit in a few weeks as heels should widen out, especially once thrush has healed.

Thinking of getting the vet out anyway for piece of mind that I'm doing the best for him. I know going barefoot is quite brave, some on yard said I'm cruel & should have shoes back on NOW - I think more than 24hrs should be given!

[heathera]

If he's sore I'd be tempted to see if you can find a cheap, second hand pair of boots on ebay that will fit for now to help him transition. I'd also be slightly worried that he was so sore after having his feet trimmed if he wasn't sore before, especially if his shoes had been removed previously. Did your trimmer remove his shoes? With mine we took their shoes off and they were sound in the stables, field and arena straight away.

[wdf]

Jul 23, 2013 7:18:25 GMT -1 heathera said:

I'd also be slightly worried that he was so sore after having his feet trimmed if he wasn't sore before, especially if his shoes had been removed previously.

He's not had shoes off for 3yrs on the front & 18months for hinds. Walking to our field you have to go across several surfaces - concrete, sand, gravel, he was fine walking out it was coming back in where he struggled.

[harveydales]

I do think it is worth persevering. When I first too Quest's shoes off after a lifetime of wearing shoes he did struggle a bit initially. He was laminitic and Cushings but it was the best thing I did for him. His feet improved dramatically. Heather's idea of some second hand boots for now is a good idea. Measure his feet and see what there is.

[wdf]

Jul 23, 2013 7:52:25 GMT -1 harveydales said:

He was laminitic and Cushings but it was the best thing I did for him. His feet improved dramatically.

Unless I'm told otherwise I'm hoping to stick it out for about 9months till at least next spring, if I can get thru the winter with no tying up/lami I'll be happy. OK so he may go sound if shoes were put back on BUT wouldn't that just be masking something?

[tinkerdorisalison]

Yes it might take him a while to feel fully comfortable on all surfaces, but the long term benefits will be worth it.

I would be rather concerned if he was unsound after the trim - did they alter his feet a lot at one go?

[wdf]

Jul 23, 2013 9:38:48 GMT -1 tinkerdorisalison said:

- did they alter his feet a lot at one go?

Hardly anything TBH. He did say Doc wasn't walking properly (toe 1st WITH shoes on) and in he's opinion that was heel pain from the thrush. He's walking HAD become odd the last 10days so if he was sore before he'll undoubtidly be worse without? I've the vet coming out to me after work to have a look at him.

[wdf]

Vet said low grade Lami and that in he's opinion it hasn't been removing the shoes that's been the problem, he recons Doc's been sore 2-3 weeks but shoes have numbed/masked the pain. He said it's not the "typical" lami as Doc is quite lean BUT he does have a slight crest (which over 2yrs HAS gone down), he recommended taking bloods - my face said it all DOC DOESN'T DO NEEDLES

TWITCH TIME = 40mins later, me, the vet & a vet student had battled with him for bloods. Vet said he has THE WORST needle reaction phobia he's ever come across but . . . . WE DID IT!!! I couldn't help but cry with joy! It's what we need to find out whats' going on; over the last 12months so many of the other vets have given up with the fight, I'm SO glad I had the main practice vet