least invasive treatment

[dehere98]

Hello-

I pulled my horse's shoes 7 months ago.
He finally got to a point where his hooves could no longer hold a shoe. His feet were crumbling like chalk.
Over the past 7 months his feet have become stronger, harder. He no longer has dished hooves and his flat feet are starting to develop concavity. So, hey what's wrong with this picture!
He went lame when the ground got hard and has remained that way. Xrays reveal dropped coffin bones, navicular.
He is recovering from long toe/low heel.
Vet says eggbars, wedgepads and I won't do that.
For those of you who use the natural trim and the 4 point shoes- Can I use the 4 point shoe on my patholgical horse?
Do you have success using this method? What about glue-on shoes?

[handandhammer]

Just so we have a better understanding. Why did you pull the shoes? What is the history of this animal? Lastly (mind you I do not have a full history at my disposal) Why are you opposed to bar shoes? they can be a very usefull tool when used and applied properly. I think that it is silly to comprimise the well being of an animal on prejuduced that are often rooted from misinformation.


Just wondering,
Jeff

[cynthia-jay]

The prescription shoes your Vet recomended states an imbalance

You may want to find a competant Farrier in your area to balance this horse up
Then discuss the options of shoes vs barefoot or optional methods of shoeing/trimming to correct this
best

as always
Jay

[dehere98]

Jay,

Let me say it this way. The quality of the hooves has improved dramatically since removing the shoes last July. He has grown almost an entire new hoof capsule and is being trimmed for balance by a specialized barefoot trimmer.
However, he has developed lameness over the past 8 weeks.
I know for certain he has dropped coffin bones and enlarged vessels in the navicular bones per xrays.
I don't have a farrier I can talk to for advice.
The outstanding farriers here in my area are so busy, they are not taking on new clients, especially gabby ones like myself with a problem horse.
Genes 4 point method of shoeing is to work 'with' his natural trim and I want to know what kind of success, if any, your having with this method of shoeing on a horse with pathology? My horse's feet fall apart with shoes and my farrier gave up on me, fired my horse as a client and said "I can't help you anymore." When I found this site, I was so excited, atleast I could talk with some farriers and get ideas.

Thanks, and feeling frustrated :o

Jenn

[cynthia-jay]

Again, the script shoes suggest a balance problem
the lameness may be a combination of your "specialized barefoot trimmer " to the situation your horse is in

I am assuming you mean Ric Reddens 4 point trim ;(Ovenic =NB)
there are those out there who state "one trim suits all" and that is all they know how to do...

it is not a cure all and don't be fooled
posting some good photos of your horses hooves and stance will get you alot of experianced farriers suggestions as well as barefooters too

best of luck

as always
Jay