Posted by Connie Stockwell on September 03, 2002 at 18:50:54:
Hi, I need help badly. I have a wonderful Appaloosa gelding that I have had for a 1 1/2. He was not shod when I bought him which I feel needs to be understood he was residing in Florida, nice sandy soil. I now have him in Ga. where I have clay hard ground and pine tree roots. His feet start breaking off and a crack went almost to his coranary band. My farrier put shoes on him but he started to go lame, then he put pads on him and he got worse. He told me that his soles were thin. His hoof walls are now so short you can't put a shoe on and after 3 farriers no one wants to put a glued on shoe because they tell me it won't hold. He is now without shoes because he doesn't want anyone to touch his feet. He was always good about the farrier until now. He is now very lame and my vet says that he has thin soles too. I have been told about a product called Level It and some other newer product that can help build up his walls until he can get enough hoof to keep him off the soles of his feet. These products are to be used without shoes I am not against shoes but no one can put them on without quickening him to some degree. I have him on a suppliment but he needs time for it to take effect and get rid of the nail holes. I am at my wits end. He is too good a horse to give up on. But nobody down here seems to be able to help me. Thank you for your time.