Posted by Mata on June 13, 2001 at 02:34:28:
In Reply to: Re: Losing shoes - very frustrated posted by Derin foor on June 12, 2001 at 22:34:27:
Thin soles are likely: farrier said he'd been over-trimmed in the past. Thank you Derin and everyone else for all the great advice: I will get some Keratex and be religious about applying it, and treat my farrier well as he has clearly got me on the right track!
The good news? The horse has still got shoes on and it's been 5n days :) (he's also got bell boots on), and I just backed him. So maybe I'll be riding off into the sunset happy after all :)
Mata
:
: Mata,
: if the horse gets "instant" relief when shoes are put on, I would tend to think that he is sole sore without shoes...this could mean several things, either he has very thin soles or perhaps an abcess or bruising...mild founder is a possibility too.....this could be determined with radiographs
: shoeing right to the edge of the hoof might be what is necessary for a time or two to get the horse sound and not pulling shoes and isn't going to cause long term problems....bell boots would be a good idea too......the farrier could bevel the edge of the shoe to make it less likely that it could be stepped on
: Keratex is an excellent product and one that might greatly help your horse.....throw away the oil and just use Keratex Hoof Hardener......a biotin/methionine supplement is OK so long as it is in addition to a properly balanced diet
: if the growth exceeds the wear, then leaving him barefoot over the winter should be OK.....use the KHH on the soles too
: hope this helps ~~~~~~~~ Derin