Posted by J.L.Duncan on January 07, 2002 at 09:53:25:
In Reply to: Re: alternate shoes posted by Joe Walker on January 05, 2002 at 12:59:18:
I tried all the methods offered and had some success. However the best solution has been to remove the pads completely. I am shoeing with a St. Croix plain shoe fit full at the heels, adding a 3/8 by 3/4 bar across the heels. The horse has been sound for 6 months with no problems. The owner is riding on rough terrain and seems to be pleased. My concern now is, am I going to have a new problem come up shoeing this way? The owner's vet said ride any where the horse is willing to go. The horse is traveling better than ever the owner said. I'm sure that if there is a set back it will be my fault. I have advised the owner that the horse is not 'cured' and care in riding should be taken. Any thoughts out there?
: : I have a new client with "navicular". I have not seen the radiographs and the vet says he has done a 'neurectomy(if my spelling is correct)'. The vet recommended to the owner to change farriers. This is where I came in. I called the vet to get a shoeing perscription, but he said just shoe at the pastern angle with a eggbar and pad with a caulk filler. There is not enough heel toget a good angle so I used acrylic to build heels. this worked fine......until the horse was turned out into the 'pasture', a three acre mud hole. I can't seem to keep the shoes on over three weeks. This I might add... is the first horse I have shod with navicular in the Front feet ! Does anyone have advice with previous navicular experience. I would like to get away from the shovel effect of the eggbar in mud. thanks for your help.
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: As a farrier of 45 years, I have dealt with navicular and egg bar shoes for years! Your problem is not a new one. A wedged pad works to a certain extent, but you still have a problem with shoes that come off, and trash build-up. To eliminate this problem, I build a wedged shoe instead of a wedged pad...no bars! This helps keep the heal higher. I also take more off the toe. This will help the horse grow a heel. Shoes should be re-set every 4 to 5 weeks, in order to ensure proper hoof-set.
: In my opinion, it is important to keep the frog uncovered so that it continues to pump blood as it should naturally. Some people say that a raised heal takes the frog too far away from the ground. In my experience, I have found that without a heal, the frog is sitting right on top of the ground, which is not natural. A perfect hoof is one that has a short toe, a raised heel, and a frog that is about 1/4" to 1/2" off the ground.
: I hope this helps!