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Discussion on Pads
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Wednesday, Aug 13, 2008 - 8:03 am:
Dr.O. Hank has become slightly sensitive since I started riding him again. He is not dead lame, just a bit short. I am riding him mostly in an arena which is soft. The top 1/2 in. anyway. He is ok, when not riding him in the pasture.
The vet suggested shoes and equi-pak because he did so well last year with it, but that was during and immediately after his founder.
I called the farrier and he thinks the wide web shoe will be enough and equi-pak isn't necessary.
He said Hanks sole stands a better chance of toughening up without it. I really don't know!!
Farrier said we can always add the pad if he is still off, but that would require pulling the shoe and reapplying. I don't want any more holes in his hoof wall than necessary.
His sole seems hard, actually very hard for him.
As far as hoof care both my vet and farrier aren't the greatest...but good as I have and I love them both..they try very hard with Hank and he has come a long long way.
Is there a way I can determine if Hank needs pads? I don't want to apply them if they are not needed. IMHO I am 80% sure he will be ok without them. Thanks
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Member:
dres
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Posted on Wednesday, Aug 13, 2008 - 9:55 am:
Diane I am not Dr. O or a vet/farrier , but i am dealing with a gelding with horrid front hoofs.. I would say go with the equi-pack first if you get good results , well then, there is the answer.. if not then the next shoeing you can either give them more time or take them off... BTW , i put wide web shoes with the equi-pack on my boy with OK results... he will never be shown and there are some days that he is to sore to ride.. mostly he is serviceably sound for my back yard hacks to keep him fit.. .. good luck..
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Wednesday, Aug 13, 2008 - 5:43 pm:
For some reason my vet finds Hank fascinating, he called this afternoon and said he wanted to check something, he'd meet me here (no charge) can't turn that down. So he took Hank through a standard flex test, which he passed very well...even his right stifle. Hoof testers came out again and I watched this time. Hank did not react to the hoof testers, as far as being ouchy, BUT boy were they flexible UGGH it hurt ME to watch them flex.
I told him the farrier didn't think Hank needed the equi-pak for mainly arena riding. He hesitated a bit and said with the wide web shoe alone he MAY be alright without the pads.
SO now I am really confused, here is my train of thought. Since the footing is pretty soft could pads actually make it worse, by the pads putting pressure on the sole from the soft footing pushing up on them? The vet thought they were probably so flexible because of our previous, continuous, never ending wet weather. So would pads add fuel to the fire, by keeping them damp?
Thanks
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Member:
dres
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Posted on Wednesday, Aug 13, 2008 - 6:12 pm:
Diane food for thought here... My farrier just left, my big riding mare needed new shoes .. he of course was out of stock for her size and had to forge a new pair.. the point i am making is her old shoes were to worn to be reset... and I ONLY RIDE IN THE SAND ARENA .. The sand is abrasive and can wear down steal!~ I thought the same as you re the equi-pack as putting pressure on the soul.. nope that is not how it works.. it protects the soul..
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Wednesday, Aug 13, 2008 - 6:33 pm:
Thanks Ann, what is your thought on keeping the sole damp. His sole really flexed with hardly any pressure. Last year when he had the equipak his soles were not like that, but we had a very dry year last year.
With the flexible soles in the equation, I have to wonder if even the pads could make him ouchy. If he only put a thin layer it may help...but remember what I'm dealing with here as far as a farrier..he TRIES very hard. Hank is the ONLY horse he has put equpak in and it took 3 tries before he got it right. Not complaining, he has to learn somewhere, but I don't think he has the skill to get it JUST RIGHT.
I know when Hank came out of the equipak last year his soles were a tad damp. IF his sole wasn't flexing like that I would pad for sure, but that sole has me a bit worried.
Thanks for your input!
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Member:
dres
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Posted on Wednesday, Aug 13, 2008 - 6:57 pm:
Good point and have nothing to go with on that.. When we take off my geldings shoes/pads his hoof is dry..my farrier likes the equipak , he feels it is healthier for the hoof then a reg. pad.. ALL THO.. you can put a dental impression clay like stuff under the pad before nailing on and it will fill the gaps etc and keep good frog support on as well I think its called the EDDS system.. or something like that..
Here is a great web site with some neat info..
https://tenderhoof.com/m_33.asp
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Wednesday, Aug 13, 2008 - 7:58 pm:
Oh yes I LOVE the equi-pak.!!! I think any pad is going to create a little moisture, but the equi-pak doesn't make much.
BUT for some reason, that web site made think of a rim pad, that may be the perfect solution!
That's why I love this web site...makes you think!!!
Thanks
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Member:
dres
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Posted on Wednesday, Aug 13, 2008 - 9:58 pm:
Diane i ordered the above shoe from that site.. it is just like a rim pad only the concussion factor is ''suppose'' to be greater.. actually my gelding has been wearing pads now for years.. we took off the pads and put this rim shoe on.. I am just in from riding him... he is NO better then he was but he is NO WORSE then he was ... so my farrier is happy and i ,, . . so far am happy..
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, Aug 14, 2008 - 6:31 am:
I don't think it is possible to determine for sure whether pads are going to be needed or not but because the sole will weaken under a pad I will first usually just try a shoe. If the sole is thin enough I might put of a rim pad, it is a bit of a judgement call. In any case be sure the inside edge of the shoe is carefully beveled so it does not contact the foot. Usually this is done with the hammer on the anvil.
DrO
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Member:
ekaufman
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Posted on Thursday, Aug 14, 2008 - 8:52 am:
Hi Diane,
I have one that needs pads and it is my unscientific opinion that they have contributed to her multiple sole abscesses this past year, complete with long layups and lots of soaking etc.. The pads are also expensive. I would personally try to avoid them if I could.
- Elizabeth
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Member:
ajudson1
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Posted on Thursday, Aug 14, 2008 - 9:38 am:
I've never dealt with any of this but just following along because it's interesting to me.
Just throwing some things out there: A horses sole does change according to the weather conditions of course. Mine are hard as steel right now. Wouldn't you think a horse is designed to adapt and the flexible sole is just what he needs now? And does a sole flex even when it's hard? If it don't flex, contact as in barefoot, helps with circulation, right?
There was some study done on human feet, that said it's better to walk with a very flexable soled shoe vs they typical athletic shoe! I found that interesting, as I used to believe barefoot was best for me, then I was told to always wear a good pair of shoes to keep my achilles tendon/back healthy, now it's back to NOT a good idea to wear the shoes.
A horses foot doesn't flex like ours but the circulation is important. So I would think a flexable pad would be good? The shoe for protection, and the pad for protection too.
Maybe start with more than you think you need, and as he gets in shape, and looses some weight, DrOp down a level in his shoeing/pad program.
I am trying to think "whole horse" here, and IMHO, whatever works now to get him active and comfy is great. But I hate anything that is a bandaid approach and again, just my opinion, I see shoes as a temporarily solution. Or at least the whole shoe/pad thing as temp.
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Member:
dres
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Posted on Thursday, Aug 14, 2008 - 2:11 pm:
Angie go to that site i put up there , it address the flexible hoof in the video.. it was very interesting..
On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots..
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Thursday, Aug 14, 2008 - 2:47 pm:
I'm pretty sure a horses sole should not flex with thumb pressure. I guess a little flex with hard pressure would be normal.(don't know for sure)
The farrier is coming tonight and I think I am just going with the wide web shoe and possibly a rim pad. I hope that works I WANT to start riding fat boy. I'll let you know how it goes.
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Thursday, Aug 14, 2008 - 8:08 pm:
Well the farrier just left, we just put the wide web shoe on and my horse is BACK!!!!
I took him down to the arena and lounged him and after a few yahoo, I feel good bucks he moved beautifully. He didn't want to stop trotting...before I could hardly force him to trot. I hope I haven't created a monster and am
able to ride my happy hooved horse without getting tossed Thanks
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Member:
ajudson1
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Posted on Thursday, Aug 14, 2008 - 9:30 pm:
Ann,
Finally got the video all loaded, yes, that was interesting!
Diane,
Well, YA HOO!!! I hope it's all positive from now on for both of you.
Now, NO new discussion on "what to do while recovering from getting bucked off" 
Stay safe!
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Member:
frances
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Posted on Friday, Aug 15, 2008 - 6:54 am:
Great news Diane!
You could always lunge him before riding for the first few times?
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Friday, Aug 15, 2008 - 8:08 am:
As a side note, i had been detecting a quite elevated DP on Hank. (but was keeping them in it's place)
The vet also said it was quite elevated and he didn't like it. As he said as he was checking them KA-BOOM, KA-BOOM.(in the fronts backs were fine).
He nor I ever detected any heat in his hooves tho.
Being the DP queen that I am, I check them at least morning and night and usually when I get home from work, they were present 98% of the time.
They are undetectable this morningand I can find even a minor one!
I am going to ride him tonight and hold on for dear life, The TRUE horned devil will be under me!! . and I can't wait!
Thanks Dr.O. and everyone...see you in the training forum
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Member:
paardex
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Posted on Friday, Aug 15, 2008 - 3:25 pm:
Diane if the slimmer they get the bigger the horns get give me a warning please and I will up the food
Jos
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Saturday, Aug 16, 2008 - 7:49 am:
Jos after the shoes were put on the farrier and I went down to the arena to see how Hank was moving.
Walking down, there was quite a spring in his step. When we got in there his head was in the clouds waiting to see what I wanted. Stepped back and said trot and a big leap through the air buck, leap through the air, buck and finally a trot.
The farrier and I looked at each other and he said, ummm maybe you want me to take them back off...funny I was thinking the same thing.
Actually according to the vet, Hank is overweight, but not bad, he said he is still #300's lighter than last summer and just needs to get in shape to be in "good weight" so at least I have kept that battle under control!
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