Change of action after removing shoes

[SB1]

Hello,

In a panic now!! I had my 21 year old girls hind shoes taken off last Wednesday. She has spavin in her stifle and finds it painful/uncomfortable to get shoes off. She had Thursday off due the weather and I took her for a walk on Friday. Apart from my getting used to the sound of only hearing two shoes, she seemed fine, nice and forward etc. Took her into the school to let her free school yesterday and she seemed very foot sore, so put that down to frosty weather/getting used to no shoes and put her to bed. Took her back to the school today and she was walking much better, but lame in trot, some strides worse than others. When she is trotting she is twisting out from the heel rather than working from heel to toe in a straight line. Heel goes down then she pushes her fetlock out to the side and is putting all her weight on the outside edge, then lifts up her toe.

I know my farrier did mention that she may wear the outside of this foot down too much for this to work long term, so perhaps this is her normal action, but it is not as obvious with shoes on - never seen it before.

I have sent him a text to get him back for a look as I don't like the action at all, but subsequently remembered he has gone on holiday! She can have the week off, and will be more than happy trundling about the field during the day, but I don't want to leave this incase it is not normal........I was hoping that this would all go smoothly :rolleyes:

So, finally, my question is, has anyone else experienced this sort of thing??? Is it that she is just getting used to things after being shod for 10 years, or should I get the hinds back on and call it a day?

Treen

[Roofio]

my horses whole movement has changed since his shoes came off - he is much freer and his strides a lot longer - i really am amazed at the difference and can't wait to get him back in work again to see what he really is like!

I would give her a week or two and see how things settle down for her - J had to almost re-learn how to use himself and if your lady already has problems she will be finding it all feels a bit strange! if she's still uncomfortable after a bit of time you can always have her re-shod :)

[Snow_Pony]

Is this the first time she has had hind shoes off? You need to give her a couple of weeks at least to see any improvement I would have thought. Walking her on the roads will help to harden her feet up, as it increases circulation to the hoof

xxx

[SB1]

Well, my horse experiment is over with regard to no shoes! I spoke with my farrier and mentioned that the outside edge of one foot was worn very straight, all this in 6 days, mostly in field, so he felt that the twist must always be there and shoes offer her support. So they went back on. She is 22 now and I don't want her out of work for too long as other things start to stiffen up. I am pleased that we had a go, I know 6 days is not long, but the change was very dramatic and I agreed with her that I would not let things go on if she was uncomfortable, let alone sore. My farrier did mention that this may not work for her, and rather ironically the day they came off I let her charge about our sand school and she was starting to extend in her trot and was the loosest she has been for years getting her shoes off....

The change in her walk as soon as they went on was amazing, she is still lame in trot but I'm hoping that is muscular, she is quite tense over her pelvis, so I have contacted a local physio for some advice. I don't think she is too bad in her bad leg as she offered her foot last night to be picked out and I normally have to headbutt her to get her to lift!! I work for my vet (most handy for advice any time of day!!) who agreed about the twist and the support of the shoe. Also, it has just been a week, so I'm not too freaked out yet :rolleyes:

My poor pony, I feel terrible that I have broken her, but she seems happy enough not to have to school for the time being!

Anyone interested in a new unopened bottle of Keratex hoof hardener which is yet to arrive from Ebay!!!!???

Treen

[MelanieD]

I've got one with dodgy stifles and she does some strange things to her back feet when her stifle is bad. Mine is young and has hooves of concrete so she's barefoot and I just trim her more often to keep the feet in balance. But since yours is a big older and used to shoes IMO if she's happy in shoes then that's the way to go :)