Hoofjack

[mickaline]

I have a Belgian with stringhalt or EPSM. She has been on a high fat diet with some improvement. When lifting her front legs for trimming, the opposite leg starts shaking and eventually starts to buckle. She can't hold up her rear legs at all. The farrier just clips them on the ground. For her front feet, I pull her head through the window of a stall so she can lean her chest and neck against the wall when her front feet are being trimmed. I have been trying to find something to help her support herself. Would a hoofjack with cradle help her better distribute her weight between both legs? They cost around $200, but I would be willing to buy one if I thought it would help her and my farrier. If a hoofjack will not work, can you think of any other ideas? Thanks!!

[calshoer]

It would probably help for the front legs, as she could rest her weight on the cradle. But if she has stringhalt, a cradle probably won't be of much help on the hinds because of the involuntary upward jerking the condition causes. She would likely jerk the leg up out of the cradle. Have you tried exercising her before the farrier comes? or maybe veterinary administered sedatives to lessen the involuntary hind leg movement? Patty

[mickaline]

The involuntary jerking doesn't appear to be the problem when trying to lift her back legs. It seems as though she doesn't have the strength to support her weight on one hind leg. It may be that if the farrier was able to hold her leg up longer, it would jerk involuntarily. However, just from my observation, that doesn't appear to be what's happening. There is no time to exercise her, since my farrier doesn't work weekends and I have to meet him right after work. I haven't tried a sedative. I could definitely talk to my vet about something. Would that make her even more shakey and weak in the front?

The involuntary flexion, when I observe it, is more slow motion. She will draw her leg up to her belly and just hold it for a few seconds. It is not a true jerking action, and it appears to only happen when she is standing still. The vet says he can see that she "slaps" her back feet down. However, her walk looks normal to me, so it must be very subtle.

Her previous owners had two farriers (brothers) just kind of muscle her legs up to trim them. Apparently they were both big guys!

I've been trying to think outside the box... like bracing her up with bales of hay... but I can't seem to come up with a solid idea that might actually work. Any suggestions? Thanks :)

[John Barney]

Shoeing stocks with belly chains. Alot of people think stocks are for rank horses, but that is not always the case. A farrier friend of mine who is Amish shoes alot of work horses, and non Amish Belgians and Clydes puts almost every big guy in there. I have watched alot of them almost lay on the belly chains( which are padded ) while being trimmed or shod. It is really safer for your farrier and horse in my opinion. I would think you could get one for about double what you said for a hoofjack, but it would be more likely to work for you. Good luck.

JB

[Double C Forge]

Yep John is correct. You just need to invest in a good set of stocks. They can be used very easily. Your farrier will love you for them and so will your mare. Actually there is an add on this website, go here and email Aaron Cohoon or call him and explain your situation and I'm sure he can help and even design something just for you, w/ extra padding. The stocks will last for a long time, especially if they are located underneath a good shelter. Good luck and please let us know how it goes.

go here and then look at ad #161
http://www.horseshoes.com/classifieds/equipmentsale.html

[Topazblue]

I've been following this thread regarding stocks. How does a stock compare with a sling?

Thanks,

Deidre

[Sentient]

Options:

http://www.liftex.com/animal_slings.htm

http://www.equisling.com/

http://www.wigginsinc.com/Slings%20&%20Hoists.htm

http://www.buyfarmstuff.com/products/ranch/fn/h-stocks.htm

http://www.buyfarmstuff.com/products/ranch/fn/palp.htm

Yoder's Horseshoeing Stocks Co.
3024 County Road 70
Sugarcreek, OH 44681
(330) 893-3102 -- let it ring 15-20 times
(amish so no website)

[Sentient]

I've been following this thread regarding stocks. How does a stock compare with a sling?

Thanks,

Deidre

JMO, but the way I see it,

A stock is more to confine and control the movement of a horse who is rowdy or uncontrollable.

A sling is more to support and relieve a horse that is unable to support itself.

I, personally, think a sling would be a better option in this particular case, and if in the future, she has a bad flare up, and needs 24/7 support, you can KEEP a horse in a sling for an extended period, but you can't keep a horse in a stock for a long time. Slings are made to be more supportive and more correctly supportive of a horse's body weight. A stock is more to control movement, not to support weight.

[mickaline]

Thanks to all of your for the feedback and the websites.

Sentient, it's not real clear to me what I would attach a sling to... I'm pretty sure that nothing in my barn can support 2000 lbs. hanging from it. Could I attach a sling to a stock? Or, would that pull it down on itself?