Posted by DJS on September 21, 2003 at 22:34:07:
In Reply to: Re: Sore after trim - it's been a month! - to Jim R posted by Rick Burten on September 21, 2003 at 18:06:18:
First, let me thank each of you who responded to my message. I think all of the MB farriers should be commended for taking the time out of your busy lives to help us try to be better, more responsible horse owners. I think I have read every message on every subject in this Forum! What a wealth of information you have provided. It is greatly appreciated.
Back to the subject at hand:
As I recall when the Vet showed me the xrays, he said no sign of rotation, no ringbone and good soles. Far from being a "farrier basher" - he never even asked me who I used. I did ask them to recommend a new farrier (these are the ones who told me before we got beyond "I'm looking for a new farrier" that they were too busy to take new clients).
I originally posted my message because I was well aware (from my novice observation while cleaning his hooves) that there is a big difference between a shoe prep trim and a barefoot trim. Since it had only been 2 1/2 weeks since he had trimmed him for shoes, I knew he didn't have much to work with. So, I attributed the ouchiness to not having the correct trim yet (as was mentioned that it may take a while before it is just right) for being shoeless. I also knew that it would take time to get him "toughened up" again as before (I have ordered some Keratex). I was being patient, but in reading the many messages on this Board, I got nervous about there being another reason for his problem - like the fact that a bad trim can cause navicular and it might not have happened until after I took him to the Vet.
As for my farrier - my decision was not easy. I was so happy with him. But, I contacted others at a stable where I used to board and asked them if they were having any problems with his work. Yes, some had. He recently missed a very bad case of white line disease in one horse and a grass foundered horse that was already in bad shape when he worked on her.
At this point I am determined to get a good farrier out to look at him this coming week. I will report the good/bad news for those of you who are interested.
Thanks again for the help, deb
: : Deb,
: : I would check with the vet to see just how much sole the horse has at this point. It could be that he just doesn't have enough sole for proper circulation (min. 15mm.) If that's the case, whether he's ridden or not, he will remain 'tender'. Keratex Hoof hardner on the soles and walls will probably help and I would give him some time off too. Patty has posted here, before, her protocol about pulling shoes and leaving them barefoot...basically (and this is from memory----please correct me if I am wrong Patty) she pulls the shoes, only rounds the edges of the wall and returns a few weeks later to do a barefoot trim.....I think this would be a good approach next time you pull shoes and leave the horse barefoot.
: : If your vet is not typically a "farrier basher", then perhaps he had evidence that the horse was indeed trimmed out of balance and too short....ask him for a farrier referral (most farriers will try to work in someone referred to them by a vet).
: : Hope this helps
: : Derin
: I agree with both Jim and Derin. I think that there was an unfortunate set of circumstances that conspired to cause the problem you now are dealing with.
: If, up until this point you have been satisfied with the service and quality of work the farrier provided, then you were hasty in firing him. He may not have returned your phone calls for a lot of reasons. Most likely he was putting in long hours, or was on the road and got back to you as quickly as he could. Regardless, I think he deserved better from you.
: As for the horse, right now, I would get him in some styrofoam , keep him in as dry an area as possible, and also use some type of hoof hardner/sole toughner.
: Shoes may or may not be an option, but if they are used, the time between resets may have to be shortened due to the condition of the hooves, and environmental concerns.
: Rick