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  Discussion on Here we go again...
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Member:
Sunny66

Posted on Friday, Jun 4, 2004 - 10:08 am:

He was shod last night...and this morning was switching putting one front foot about 12 inches in front of the other. Before he was shod he was just doing this with his right front. He is not "parked out" tho...but doesn't this seem to indicate that parking out is on its way?

While he did look like he was trimmed a little short, the farrier did support the heel more and rolled back the toe -- here is my confusion: Last time he was shod, he didn't roll the toe and seemed to be more sound and happy.

This farrier has just come from a clinic on my horses exact symptoms, and two vets told him what to do with my horse....it just isn't working. The farrier DID say my horse had some poundage to loose tho...he said it is a contributing factor, that my horse needs to be almost too skinny -- He LOVES to eat..and is such an easykeeper...this is just bad all around. But whatever keeps him healthy...

So it's back for more xrays...from my trusted vet...where I will get results immediately. He did look at the old xrays and said that it didn't look bad at all, just to watch him for symptoms of the nav.
Member:
Suzeb

Posted on Friday, Jun 4, 2004 - 11:02 am:

Ah *S..t* Aileen,
Get on the phone to Mr.Farrier and let him know of Brave's symptoms. He may park out if both heels are sore. Shifting from left to right is also common.
Does Brave have bad navicular bones or is this a
ligament/tendon issue?
What kind of clinic did this farrier attend?
By giving more heel support, what do you mean?
Wedges, frog support a little more shoe in the back maybe?
I am with you on the weight issue. My hungry, hungry hippo loves to eat, but it is in his best interest to be a little on the lean side. Less weight on the front feet.
Laser was shod about a month ago and I had the same thing happen. Came up pretty sore. I did telephone the farrier and he did come out to have a look, checked his clinches nails etc. Laser was shod correctly but it took a day or two for it to kick in.
When the vet saw Laser about 10 days later, she made the comment that this was the best she has ever seen him.
This could be your case Aileen that it might take a day or two to adjust to some new angles.
Let the vets know what this latest shoeing has done also.
Sending some mega healing thoughts your way and and keeping fingers, toes and hooves crossed.
Keep us posted
Susan B.
Member:
Sunny66

Posted on Friday, Jun 4, 2004 - 5:26 pm:

Hi Susan,

You're telling me!

The vet said "slight nav changes" so who knows. I want to take him next week for more xrays and a DIAGNOSIS! I'm waiting to hear about which day he can go.

I don't know what kind of clinic, but I'm guessing it had to do with Brave's symptoms on/off lameness/hocks etc.

He set the shoe back so it would support the heel more and rolled the toe.

He is NOT going to be happy with less food But Tuff.

Thanks so much for the healing thoughts...he needs them!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Jun 5, 2004 - 8:26 am:

Aileen is the horse's stride shorter than normal when he walks or trots?
DrO
Member:
Sunny66

Posted on Saturday, Jun 5, 2004 - 7:48 pm:

Hi Dr. O,

It was. It's better now. So who the heck knows.

The next morning he was switching his feet and stepping VERY gingerly and short. So I didn't do anything with him, just let him walk around in pasture.

This morning he was MUCH better - not 100% but better...so would this indicate just a changed angle? If so....WHEW!!! Thank goodness!!

I'm going to keep my eye on him as much as I can tomorrow to see what he does with his front feet.

If he's sound...is it worth going to the vet?? Is he going to tell me to come back when he's lame? Do I have a better chance of getting a diagnosis if he's lame or do you think I can still get one if he's sound (aside from his hock issue of course)?

Sorry for being so neurotic Dr. O! Just very confused and I don't want to make another mistake and cause my boy any more pain...

Thanks so much for your help!

Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Jun 6, 2004 - 6:07 pm:

Aileen, check out Equine Diseases » Lameness » Diseases of the Hoof » Problems Following Shoeing or Trimming.
DrO
Member:
Sunny66

Posted on Monday, Jun 7, 2004 - 10:00 am:

Thanks Dr. O, I did review and it makes sense.

He's sore again this morning. I took him out for a walk yesterday and he was a BUTT! Bucking on the lead line even!

It could be:
1. He hurts.
2. He knows he hurts when he leaves home (that's where the "road founder" occurred a few months back). It's taken him a long time to recover.
3. Complete behavioral problem.
4. All of the above.

I have an all day clinic with him on Wednesday. I will tell the clinician that he hurts "somewhere" and if she sees something I don't, then to please let me know and I will either take him home, or just stand with him and observe.

If it's behavioral, I would like to get her ideas.

I'm going to have an accupuncturist out to see him. While that will not help with his feet, it MAY help with his other issue. His hocks.

My friend has a horse who has slight arthritic hocks. He has been lame off and on for years. She then found out it was his back and it was affecting his hocks. With massage and accupuncture, he is completely sound now.

I have to wonder if this is the case with my guy. His xrays do not show bad arthritis, however, he was diagnosed as DJD.


Member:
Sunny66

Posted on Saturday, Jul 10, 2004 - 9:26 pm:

Update:

Went to the Vet -- Finally!

The vet did front flexions and he was off slightly on both legs...after xrays, he did say that that he seriously doubts Nav....he doesn't have the feet for it, nor the symptoms. he is 99% sure that the pointing is related to toe pain (he tested positively on his toes and not an ounce on his heels---I heard the vet grunt he was pressing so very hard on his heels to get a reaction.

Treatment: move the shoe up and don't roll the toe so much...he does need a little more sole on the right, but only 3 mm....so his feet look like it was a shoeing problem, not a Nav problem. I sighed a huge sigh of relief and went to tell my gelding who was waiting outside for me.

The hock injections went well, my guy didn't budge and seems to be quite happy this evening. He was injected with HA and cortisone.

I'll let you know his progress. The vet said he could start working by next weekend and that I will see a huge improvement in his stride (he said to be sure I put bell boots on him). Small turnout or handwalking this week.

Wish me luck!! I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but I can't help but be excited that we can finally get back to work and I can practice my riding!!!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Jul 12, 2004 - 9:43 am:

Good Luck and let us know what happens.
DrO
Member:
Sunny66

Posted on Monday, Jul 12, 2004 - 10:11 am:

Thanks Dr. O,

I can already tell that his footfalls are more regular - just at the walk. I had my friend (trainer) watch him too to make sure I wasn't hearing things

NEW farrier tonight to reset his shoes.

I really liked my old farrier, but I had told him 2 or three months ago that the vet recommended toe support. He shod him once with toe support then the next two times set his shoes back again. I can tell he really has a passion for his job and horses...but why didn't he listen...who knows.
Member:
Sunny66

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 13, 2004 - 9:43 am:

Still pointing Dr. O, should I just wait it out? Common sense tells me that until he grows a little more foot he will still be sore...but I don't trust anyone ... not even myself with my horses' well being...hence my question. Thanks!

The new farrier took 2 hours to do his front feet. It would definately NOT be for lack of trying. He does shoe for the UC Davis equestrian team, so I would *think* he knows what he is doing....
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Jul 17, 2004 - 6:28 am:

Hello Aileen,
I would ask the vet who examined him will have a better idea of what was expected following shoeing. But if you are asking does bruising sometimes take a while to heal, the answer is yes.
DrO
Member:
Sunny66

Posted on Monday, Jul 19, 2004 - 4:28 pm:

Thanks Dr. O...he's much better now. No pointing and sound in front.
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