Articles about transition?

[Grace O'Malley]

I took Morocha barefoot shortly after I bought her, a year ago in January, and we've progressed with no significant problems. She was sound immediately in pasture or on sand footing. At first she was tender on concrete, but for gradually less time after each trim. Now she's fine on concrete right after a trim, and we ride over gravel (though I usually wait a few days after a trim before asking her to). My trimmer follows the Pete Ramey style, and I've been very happy with his work. My trainer has started using him too, and also has been happy (her horses were already barefoot).

Recently another boarder decided to take her QH barefoot, and went with the trimmer my trainer (who she also uses) and I recommended. It's only been about a week, but he's having a tough time, and is sore on all surfaces :( . The vet was out today and had a look at his feet, and ordered to her to have shoes put back on as soon as possible. AFAIK this vet is NOT simply dead set against barefoot, so he saw something that made him unhappy.

Obviously this isn't really my business, so all I could say was that I was sorry it hadn't worked out. Still, I feel terrible because I can imagine the stress this is causing her, plus, of course she used my trimmer. I don't know if her horse really just needs more time to transition, or if there's something dreadfully wrong.

So, my question is whether anyone knows of any good, unbiased article(s) from reputable magazines/journals that discuss transitioning? In particular, is there anything covering what one needs look out for in judging whether soreness, especially on hard surfaces, is "normal" or a sign of a potentially serious problem? I'd feel better if I could give her some unbiased information to have in the back of her mind when she's getting all kinds of conflicting advice from different people...

[Yann]

It sounds like your trimmer is competent and doing a good job. I'm surprised they haven't advised this owner to get hold of some hoof boots and pads though, as that's a standard part of the armoury for helping a horse with really poor feet.

To be honest I can't imagine what the vet could have seen that would make them recommend shoes, other than ostensibly bringing the horse some instant relief from discomfort. Shoes aren't going to 'fix' anything, and getting the horse comfortable on soft bedding and in boots and pads would have been the first stage in improving the situation. Sounds like we've both seen that process operate with our own horses given enough time.

Not sure if there are any 'unbiased' articles, but Pete Ramey's own on www.hoofrehab.com are as good as anything, the man is humble, thoughtful and honest in my book.

[Grace O'Malley]

Thanks for the reply, Yann. She's got boots for his fronts, but doesn't leave them on all the time. Is it common for people to boot 24/7 during transition?

Apparently the vet's main concern was that he had no heel. My guess is that he had no heel before the shoes came off...it's just more obvious now. He's one of those large QH's with tiny, upright feet, so the pressure on each hoof must be enormous.

Anyway, since the vaccination clinic on Saturday, as of yesterday he's now colicing :( :( Has improved a bit today, but still running a high temp (and it's blistering hot out at the moment). The biggest worry ATM is laminitis will take hold :( :(

Long term, I don't know what she'll decide to do, but I'll pass along that URL -- especially the article about boots and pads.

This poor lady...it's just never ending. Her husband is ill at the moment as well. And now this! :( :( :(

[Yann]

I know that in some cases where the feet are really bad it's necessary to boot in the field and then bed without on something comfortable and supportive, at least for a short while, but there's usually a fairly quick improvement. Boots on 24/7 aren't recommended normally as you risk infection taking hold.

Is there no heel, or a badly under run heel? Sometimes the two get mixed up, and if it's the latter then shoeing won't fix it, as the shoeing itself is a major contributor to the situation. Sounds like a really tricky situation for this horse and owner and she needs to do what's kindest for the horse at this point in time even if that means re shoeing it until circumstances are more promising.

[Grace O'Malley]

If he weren't so ill, I'd ask her permission to take a look and maybe even snap a few photos. She did mention that the trimmer told her his frogs were under-developed. If the heels were badly under-run, constricted, etc., I don't know why she wasn't given more information about this and how to baby him through the transition.

I just hope he gets through this bout of colic quickly and with no further complications.

You know how it is with all things equine... People who appear equally knowledgeable have such opposite opinions on what is best AND never hesitate to forcefully give advice. :rolleyes: So, if I can just point her to a few informative websites/articles, and then back away quietly...that is probably the best thing I could do to help her.

[Grace O'Malley]

I talked to her today, and it sounds like he was starting with badly contracted heels and under-developed frogs. She's worked out a plan with the trimmer to keep him barefoot at least until his feet have a chance to grow out healthy.

Otherwise, he's not 100% yet, but much, much improved.

[Bebe]

Apparently the vet's main concern was that he had no heel. My guess is that he had no heel before the shoes came off...it's just more obvious now. He's one of those large QH's with tiny, upright feet, so the pressure on each hoof must be enormous.

In my experience vets often think that a normal low heel is no heel, I get it all the time with my mare but I know her heels aren't as low as the vets seem to think. Admittedly her front heels are lower than I'd like but I know why and it's just a matter of time until they sort themselves out. Her hind heels are spot on though so I just ignore the vets who comment on those (interestingly my own vet has no issues with her hooves, it's other people's vets who comment in passing!).

As far as QH's having tiny upright feet, it may not be as big an issue as you think. My mare is half QH and her hooves are becoming tiny upright feet and she's much happier on them as a result, the big flat flared platter hooves did absolutely nothing for her.