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Discussion on Small front feet: shoes necessary?
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Member:
paardex
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Posted on Sunday, May 27, 2007 - 6:32 am:
Hi All,
Akacja my arab mare has small front feet and one is different from the other[even a little bit clubby]
My farrier says she needs shoes on her front feet to keep them as big and equal[?]as possible.
She doesn't work,[unless you think being bred is work ] her feet are in excellent condition she was never lame and I had her shoes removed before going to the studfarm. I like my broodmares to be barefoot if possible[ofcourse behind is the most important]
What problems should I look out for if I keep her unshod? I don't have much experience with shod horses and find it difficult to decide weather she really needs this shoes or not.
I read in the articles barefoot is good for the feet[as I was always taught] sooo..any advice?
Jos
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Sunday, May 27, 2007 - 9:05 am:
Hello jos,
I am uncertain how shoes would keep the feet big. Usually the confinement of the nails is thought to prevent expansion during weight bearing therefore the feet tend to be a bit smaller when shod.
DrO
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Member:
paardex
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Posted on Sunday, May 27, 2007 - 12:18 pm:
Thanks Dr.O thats what I understood from the articles.
If the farrier regularly trims her and lowers her heel a little bit [as he does before he gives her shoes ] I do not see any reason why she should need shoes[her feet grow fast and are of very good quality]
In Holland most horses go barefoot with regular trimming unless they have a big problem which makes shoes necessary even when working they get shoes only when they need them.
I was amazed to find almost every horse in Normandie gets shoes[even when not working just walking in a paddock] and I already had her shod only in front[less dangerous for the other horses imo if she doesn't need them] but even that amazed the farrier and half of my new neighbourhood.
To conclude if the growth of the hooves allows the farrier to trim and keep the feet in the right shape and she walks fine I am not taking any stupid risks?
Thanks
Jos
PS perhaps stupid questions but I feel the need of professional backup to contradict my farrier.
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Member:
juliem
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Posted on Sunday, May 27, 2007 - 4:51 pm:
Jos, you are more likely to cause problems by trying to match the two feet. Club feet, unless severe, only become real problems when a farrier tries to make them match. That was the practice for years, but farriers with more knowledge about how the foot is only a single part of the forelimb realize how wrong that is. Go with your gut--the mare's conformation will tell you the correct angle for each foot. Julie
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Member:
zarr
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Posted on Sunday, May 27, 2007 - 9:16 pm:
Jos, I have small arab mare with small "dainty "feet, one of which is slightly clubbed, she has been barefoot for 7yrs no trouble. The trouble may come if your farrier does not understand barefoot trimming which is signifantly different than trimming for shoes. A lot of damage can come from an uninformed farrier. This site and it's related farrier sight has very good info. Good luck! Cindy
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Member:
paardex
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Posted on Monday, May 28, 2007 - 6:09 am:
Thanks Julie, thats what I always understood from my farrier in Holland, with the foals he did sometimes try to correct a little bit but not with adult horses. I've had severe problems with one of my horses[loaned to a friend for some showjumping]when their farrier suddenly 'adjusted' her slightly clubby foot. Tendon problem and no sound horse anymore!
So I already convinced the farrier not to change her feet but for one reason or other he seems to think little feet need shoes[remember the language problem when I arrived: very difficult for him to explain what he wanted and why as my french was 'limited']
Now we agree on no shoes behind and he pulled her front shoes because I told him to do so for her visit at the studfarm. He trims both of my showjumpers and I am very content with the way he does that so I think I can trust him with the trimming part and will insist she stays barefoot after reading the articles and hearing these comments I am sure this is a sound decision unless she gets problems.
Thanks
Jos
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