Correcting yrlgs

[McCutcheon969]

I have 2 different horses in question!
First I have a yrlg that I recently bought. He lacked farrier care prior. He toes out on his left hind and when he walks it pivots and twist out. Hes also cowhocked but not extremely. I've recently moved and no longer have my trusted ole faithful farrier. This new farrier did correct him some and said hes young enough to straighten out. He looks straight standing sq. but when you walk him off I noticed it twist and toes out sometimes it's like way out in left field. How drastic do you get on correction? How far do you go on correction each time without coming up sore or lame? Also don't babies tend to toe out generally to some degree and as they grow they naturally start to grow back in straighter? In the case of slight toeing out would you trim flat?
Second horse. She 2. I got her as a yrlg and like the other she had no prior farrier care. From never being trimed her back left toed out and caused her bone to grow crocked in the pasturn. For the last yr my farrier worked slowly correcting it and has made a big difference. You can still notice some puff on the inside of the pasturn but thats about it other then still toes out slightly. Before I moved the plan was he wanted to put shoes on in Oct to start being more agressive on correction. At what age do you stop trying to correct and whatcha got is whatcha got? How agressive should we get? I'm worried with a new farrier and not really knowing him well or how much he really knows. Me not having the knowledge of knowing whats right and wrong. I do know some about correcting so I'm not totally blonde! Can you guys please educate me or give me suggestion. Any insight would be great!
I lied I have another question why I'm here. This new farrier and I were talking about founder. Which I work these days for a rescue. He mentioned that on his founders he like to cut them back to where there almost but not bleeding to get more circulation in the hoof since founders don't grow much in the toe and poor circulation? Can you give opinions on that? Thanks guys! :)

[blinddogfarrier]

If you have pictures of the 2 horses in question that would help.

To answer your third question, that you so cleverly:) snuck in...I would not allow him to trim any rescues with founder or laminitis issues in the manner he implied...just my two cents worth! Probably would not let him trim anything actually, not a great understanding of anatomy, physiology, or the pathology of the equine digit. Trimming a foot in that manner could, and probably would create a founder or laminitic situation.:(

[McCutcheon969]

If you have pictures of the 2 horses in question that would help.

To answer your third question, that you so cleverly:) snuck in...I would not allow him to trim any rescues with founder or laminitis issues in the manner he implied...just my two cents worth! Probably would not let him trim anything actually, not a great understanding of anatomy, physiology, or the pathology of the equine digit. Trimming a foot in that manner could, and probably would create a founder or laminitic situation.:(

Thank you for your reply! I will charge my cam batteries and see how long it takes for this darn dial up to upload. I live in the sticks! How would you like your pics? Stand sq. or like TB sales pics where all 4 legs are seen or of hooves and what views? Now after your statement about this farrier. I would like to see what you think of his job. I personally don't like the angles on the fronts. He left the toes a lil longer then I like. They look to rocked back. I gave him that one due to maybe he didn't want to make them sore due to the new area I am in is rocky. My stud horse had stone bruses on his fronts. He didn't tell me till afterwards or I would of put shoes on him. Heres another question. Why do farriers trim a racing TB different then a performance QH?

I was wondering about the whole founder statement. I wasn't for sure if I was just out of the loop or what. I rehabed a founder mare w a foal on her last yr for a friend. We did nothing like that. I had her xrayed and my farrier trimed accordingly. Actually he didn't get her totally correct the first time due to poor farrier care prior and came back 4 weeks later and got her setting nicely. Diet was the main thing we addressed. Doesn't Remission hoof supplement help alot?
Thanks again! Tell me what kind of pics you want!

[Rick Burten]

This new farrier and I were talking about founder. Which I work these days for a rescue. He mentioned that on his founders he like to cut them back to where there almost but not bleeding to get more circulation in the hoof since founders don't grow much in the toe and poor circulation? Can you give opinions on that? Thanks guys! :)
That is a scarily bad and unwaranted protocol.

As for the photos, have the horse standing squarely, cannon bones vertical, on flat, hard, level ground. Take the photos of the hoof with the camera on the ground and square to the view being photographed. Photos of the front, back and sides of the hoof, as well as the sole. When taking the sole photos, take one view looking down over the bottom of the foot from heel to toe and another that shows the whole bottom of the hoof.

Conformation photos should have the horse standing naturally with its head, neck, back and hips(along the spine) in a straight line and the head hanging naturally. Take photos from front, back and sides and then of his top line from back to front(stand on a bucket or the like if necessary).

Bob hit the nail on the head.....:)

Rick

[McCutcheon969]

Okay Rick thanks! LOL this is going to be fun being by myself! I got my 9 yr old son to help! Oh boy! I just got him 2 months ago totally untouched but hes doing awesome. The horse not the kid! :D He stood really well for the farrier. He was my good deed for this yr. :rolleyes: Bats are charging and I'll be back this eve. Rick if I have time I'm going to get some of the horse I was talking about possible surgery on his back splint thats affecting his tendon. I want your input and why his back tendon sometimes swells after being trimed. This new farrier he didn't swell after his trim. I was wondering if it had to do with angles. He has a more upright shoulder so I believe his angles should be more upright to match his shoulder? We'll see what I can get of pics today. That maybe another thread. Thank you guys!

[Rick Burten]

but hes doing awesome. The horse not the kid! :D
So, you're having problems with the kid? ;)

Perhaps our fearless leader, the benevolent dictator of this site, "All Hail the Red Baron", will put up a new forum: "Farriers Helping Horse Owners with their Problem Children" :D

Rick

[McCutcheon969]

LMAO! Rick your a hot mess! Actually hes the baby and hes not that bad of a kid. It was my daughter that was the devil spawn! She 18 now and got the boot out the door for her birthday! :p:D

I got pics done for one horse the 2 yr old. There not the best. What about pics of her tracking from behind? I got some where you can see how her foot falls as shes walking. I do have some older ones to compare from last winter. I have to switch out comps. I'm taking a break and going for round 2 with the yrlg. I'm by myself today to do 34 horses so I'm trying. Beer 30 right now! :D JK

[krissy04]

I am in the same situation as you are. My horse was 1 1/2 when I got her , right hind was splay footed...actually when i got her it was more the left, she walked like she had " Pampers " on. In 1 year of a hilly pasture she has self corrected the left , and the right splay foot is sort of correcting its self. I am staying out of the round pen ( my horse too) ,and avoiding sharp turns , and working on developing the muscle in her hind legs by going up hills. Vet and trainer says I have 6 more months to go. So far Id say it s about 75 % better, if that makes sense. I will be curious to know what the rest suggest for trims, and how you post your photos for comment.
My vets only suggestion was to keep the toes on the short side, unfortunatly we do not have expierenced "good " Farriers in my neck of the Alps, so I have NOT been doing a corrective trim. As far as the founder if you have an issue with it on another horse, I have only one suggestion " Remission" its a suppliment that keeps laminitis away , provided you keep a watchful eye on the sugar .... invest in a muzzle too. 99.9% of the Farriers on this forum are extreamly helpful ...Good luck

[Gilreath Horseshoeing]

First I have a yrlg that I recently bought. He lacked farrier care prior. He toes out on his left hind and when he walks it pivots and twist out. Hes also cowhocked but not extremely. I've recently moved and no longer have my trusted ole faithful farrier. This new farrier did correct him some and said hes young enough to straighten out. He looks straight standing sq. but when you walk him off I noticed it twist and toes out sometimes it's like way out in left field.

I would want to bet that he is high inside, or the inside heel is too high.

How drastic do you get on correction?

Well, you need to fix the problem, but... it can depend.


How far do you go on correction each time without coming up sore or lame?

Shouldn't be coming up sore or lame.


Second horse. She 2. I got her as a yrlg and like the other she had no prior farrier care. From never being trimed her back left toed out and caused her bone to grow crocked in the pasturn. For the last yr my farrier worked slowly correcting it and has made a big difference. You can still notice some puff on the inside of the pasturn but thats about it other then still toes out slightly.

Definately need some photos on this one.


At what age do you stop trying to correct and whatcha got is whatcha got?

I would think, somewhere around three.



This new farrier and I were talking about founder. Which I work these days for a rescue. He mentioned that on his founders he like to cut them back to where there almost but not bleeding to get more circulation in the hoof since founders don't grow much in the toe and poor circulation? Can you give opinions on that? Thanks guys! :)

Not a good idea.

[Rick Burten]

Influence at the fetlock is over at about 90 days, around 6 mos. at the carpus.
In most all breeds, the growth plates don't fully 'close' until the horse is a minimum of 24 mo. old, and usually, closer to 36 mo. old so the 'influence can and does last somewhat longer than 6 mo. at the knees.

Rick

[Rick Burten]

I was merely referencing Adams 5th edition page 412;)
Hmm, my understanding of the referenced source is that it is mostly discussing the fetlock and only the knee with regard to when and for how long corrective actions may be employed, not that the knee(carpus) growth plates close at sic months or a year.

Rick