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Discussion on Exceptional behaviored horse developed shoeing phobia
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New Member:
rjr07
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Posted on Monday, Jul 23, 2007 - 7:05 pm:
I am heartsick that my horse, who previously was a breeze to shoe, was dinged by a new shoer on the rear foot, causing it to bleed. The subsequent shoeing this shoer (who is no longer our shoer) apparently tried to trim Paint's hind feet to fit the size shoe he had with him, which was one size smaller than the horse actually wore. I have never owned a horse who was a problem shoer but now I have one. We had to full-on tranq him last week to get the rear shoes on and reset the front ones to match the rear, as we had waited a month before trying to shoe him after the mess the first shoer made. We tried to shoe him without a tranq but he cow-kicked violently. By the time the shoer got to the front feet he started dancing and was nearly impossible to work on, and that was his FRONT feet. When I pick his feet I have been tapping on his shoes to simulate the hammering and he'll let me do that. I worry that he has developed a fear of the truck and shoer (although this 2nd shoer is far more experienced and would never pull a lunatic move like the first) and I really don't want to tranq him every time. Does anyone have any ideas? I am really sick over this. This is a gentle horse (or was). P.S. He was never lame over either of the two bad incidents.
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Member:
zarr
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Posted on Monday, Jul 23, 2007 - 9:08 pm:
Robin, Chris Cox worked with a horse with almost the same problem .Perhaps if you check his sight or email he can help. It boiled down to time and leadership but it was resolved. Am sure several here will have good ideas it is not a permanent problem it can be fixed. Cindy
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 24, 2007 - 8:22 am:
Hello Robin,
Using the principles in the article associated with this discussion would be the way I would approach this.
DrO
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Member:
sunny66
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 24, 2007 - 10:22 am:
Would it be possible to leave his hind shoes off for a bit? That way he could gain some confidence in the shoer, then try again in a few months... just a thought.
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Member:
leilani
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 24, 2007 - 8:10 pm:
Hi Robin,
Patience, patience, patience.
I had a similar problem with my ex-farrier and my younger mare. After I pulled her shoes, I had to start over desensitizing her to pressure, sounds, etc., on her hooves.
It took awhile and then I introduced Easy Boot Bares. Started over again. It's been over a year barefoot, a with a new farrier she is fine.
I think horses perceive injustice differently than we do. Leilani
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Member:
erika
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 24, 2007 - 9:15 pm:
I had a difficult shoer once...terrible! But my patient farrier had me feed the horse his grain meal only while the farrier was holding a foot.
Cured in no time! And this was a really tough case.
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Member:
cgby1
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 25, 2007 - 9:50 pm:
Hi Robin, I used to live in a hilly area with lots of rocks and I kept my horses shod. Then I moved to where I live now and my oldest horse developed arthritis in her front legs. I had her shoes pulled and she became sound immediately. So I had the other horses shoes pulled and I haven't put any on since. I have boots for riding on rocky trails if they need it and it has saved a fortune on farrier bills. Just make sure that you have boots that fit to put on her while you ride until her feet get hard. My farrier does a great barefoot trim and supports me in keeping her that way.
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