No shoes very lame

[dcp]

Hello, my horse has had his shoes off almost 3 weeks. The past week or so he has been a little foot sore. He also seems stiff when first putting out in the morning. Today when he was brought in he was more like crippled. He is really lame on his front feet what should I do? I'm going to call the vet tomorrow to ask them too. Is it worth asking them out or do you think it all points to having no shoes? The other option is to give some bute and have his front shoes back on but someone else thinks I should have the vet out in case it's anything else. Any advice?

Thanks

[horsey1]

Hi Lauren
Sorry to hear Charlies lame:( thats a shame, I would give Ian the farrier a phone and see what he thinks.

[No_Angel]

whay is he without shoes? is it just to give his feet a break or are you wanting to go barefoot?
every horse whos been dependant on shoes will be a bit footsore, its going to happen.
i was advised to walk my horses through it to make their feet harder, if your not wanting to do this on hard surfaces get carpet or something and get him boots to ride out in.

[Yann]

It would be helpful to know a bit more about the circumstances, though it does sound like the shoes being off is the cause of the problem. Has he been worked, or just out in the field since he had his shoes off? How have his feet been trimmed, is there much flare on the hoof, and is the white line open and ragged, which could possibly mean infection? Both might cause soreness. There might also be an abcess brewing. It's odd that he's started OK and got worse, it's often the other way round.

[*Sez*]

My TB gets very footsore without shoes. He's recently pulled the same shoe off twice in as many weeks and has been very lame. We got the farrier out to look at him on Saturday and he's been much better but I will try to get the vet to have a look tomorrow if he's still sore. So yes, a lack of shoes can make your horse's feet very painful. I have this hoof hardener (I think it's called Keratin or Keratex...) to paint on his hooves a few times a week, and hopefully he won't loose his shoes so often. It's also recommended for barefoot horses, as it can go on the sole and diluted on the frog as well to help prevent bruising.

[iluvhorses28]

Same EXACT thing happened to my TB mare....after shoes came of, went limping for several days-up to a week . Manage to FINALLY get vet to see...it was in fact swollen under his front hooves...boots were put on until farrier arrives, and is given Bute 2x a day for 2 weeks.
She seems MUCH better now and have actually done light riding on her.... hoping she will not need Bute for very long.
But yes, have a vet see what is going on, so you do not second guess yourself,and actually have a remedy for the issue.
Mine also have been stiff as well... but manages without much discomfort as I could see.
Good luck, and hope all works for the best!:)

[dcp]

Hello, This is the first time I've had his shoes off my farrier recommended it. At first he was foot sore but the ground was really hard with frost. It's been a few weeks now. I've ridden him and lunged mainly in walk since he's had them off. On Friday I took him out for a hack and trotted for a while then he decided on canter so I thought he must be better. I was only going to keep his shoes off for the winter maybe his feet aren't up to it.

[eeyore]

ouch, i know what you're going through.
ben's feet were SO badly underrun when we started barefoot (see photos on link below).

it was a good few weeks before i actually saw movement improvement in him.

we got him some epic boots and i rode him on the road a few times as he got better.. and then sadly after a celebratery gallop of being sound....

.... we broke them! hehe..

hmmm need some more..

DEFinately get some boots, they are pricey but WELL worth it!
i used to get mouse mats for 99p and use them as cushions inside! :D

we started barefoot on August 4th... and on October 28th the vet said he was 100% sound! (was dreading it.. it was the vet that said he had Navicular Syndrome just over a year ago :-s )

[dcp]

Well vet says to put all his shoes back on. IT's going to difficult thought his feet are so short and I'm really worried this might damage his feet more the farrier having to hammer the nails into such little hoof.

The vet also said laminitis which he didn't think it was but could possible be. My horse switched to haylage about 6 weeks ago and last week was moved to a field with a little bit more grass in it. The vet said to cut down on his feed until his shoes go back on but my yo thinks no as he can't really afford to loose weight.

[horsey1]

Poor Charlie:( thats a shame, I hope its not Laminitis:eek: :( I thought it was only overweight horses that got that?
I would do as the vet says as he will know better than your YO :) have you phoned Ian to come out, he is coming tomorrow to do Kin

[dcp]

He's coming to do another bhorse so hopefully he can squeeze Charlie in. Watch out he'll try to sell you a calander of naked farriers they are £10

[horsey1]

Watch out he'll try to sell you a calander of naked farriers they are £10

Lol I know, he said the last time. Did you buy one:D ;)

[dcp]

My mum is buying me one for Christmas I think. The money goes to the autistic society

[Tots N Dots]

I went barefoot with Sash and it is said to take upto 6 months for the feet to harden properly, I did it over winter, if you wish to go barefoot I would persevere and get some boots, over time they are supposed to work out cheaper than shoes, I also used Keratex, expensive but good, :)

[Tots N Dots]

[QUOTE=eeyore]ben's feet were SO badly underrun when we started barefoot (see photos on link below).
sorry just had to mention
I think your website is great, the improvement has been fantastic, you can actually see from the photos how much the angle of growth has changed for the better, my youngster has a similar problem due to feet not being done before I got him, its great to see what progress should be made in line with yours thanks,

[dcp]

The idea what only to have them off for winter. He is TB and I suppose ain't got the feet for it. I am now going thorugh the stressful process of try to get in touch with farrier.

Ps What should I do about exercises?