Shire shod or unshod??? need advice asap

[rebmik55]

I have had my Shire for almost 1 year. When purchased horse was barefoot and hooves actually looked good. Couldn't keep that farrier b/c of location, got another "farrier" but didn't know anything about him other than he did drafts. Hooves became a nightmare, lots of cracks (found out about his inexperience a little too late)
Have had new farrier for maybe 4 trims. He wants to put shoes on, saying this will help his hooves hold together.
I really don't want to do this for several reasons:
1. Horse has shivers and today vet is required to sedate to hopefully get a
better trim.
2. Don't want/need more expense than necessary (currently unemployed)...
has to have shoes made size 9, sedation at least every 4-6 weeks, maybe
more if shoe is thrown in meantime.
Any suggestions???
He doesn't do a lot of drafts. Any suggestions to keep him w/o shoes and his hooves as good as possible, realizing many drafts do have flaring problems, crack problems???
Farrier, another Farrier to help and Vet coming this afternoon!!!

[HoustonFarrier]

Well, it's not the drafts with the flaring problems...it's poor farriers(trimmers) not doing the horse correct.

If you can take pics of feet, perhaps we can help with ideas....but in all honesty, you just need to find someone who can trim the horse to be balanced and correct. Also, what is the diet you have him on???

Good Luck

Steve

[rebmik55]

Low carb, low sugar EPSM diet with Omegahorse shine and selenium/vit e
will take pics, but ws needing advice before this afternoon and can't take before then.
I don't want him shod, but want his hooves to be their best obviously.
I would love if there was a "been there, done that" draft farrier in my area, from what I've seen, it just isn't the case, so I'm using what will help me and this challenging to trim Shire. I don't have a lot of options!

[HoustonFarrier]

if you can with or without shivers the horse shold stand still
Ever worked on a draft horse with shivers???? It's not that they don't WANT to stand still.....they just CAN'T. I find that shoeing stocks are great for these guys. It's MUCH easier on them. Of course, not many farriers have stocks, but.......

answer at only one because they should then be changed quick because the animal is still growing and will grow wide and over the shoe very fast
I think the OP said they have HAD the horse for a year,not that the horse is a year old.

they will do the work themselves with a friendly word or two
I've got a 3yo Shire mare at my place now that shoots that theory to the moon:p LOL

Steve

[rebmik55]

Ever worked on a draft horse with shivers???? It's not that they don't WANT to stand still.....they just CAN'T. I find that shoeing stocks are great for these guys. It's MUCH easier on them. Of course, not many farriers have stocks, but.......

Thank you! I was beginning to wonder about my guy. He really tries to hold it up, nothing mean, just can't

I think the OP said they have HAD the horse for a year,not that the horse is a year old.

Correct, he's 6 yo, have had him 1 year

I've got a 3yo Shire mare at my place now that shoots that theory to the moon:p LOL
ditto...a good growl seems to go a long way with this guy

Steve
Farrier and vet left a bit ago and 4cc of rompun 1 of torbagesic later all 4 hooves trimmed nicely and didn't have to pay for farrier to have an extra visit to chiropractor! Unfortunately this may be the way we have to go. I can give im and vet said will train me to do iv if needed.
No shoes, i'll post pics tomorrow for feedback. (is there a trick to posting pics?)

[HoustonFarrier]

Good deal!! You got the job done, and no one was hurt !

Steve

[smitty88]

is there a trick to posting pics?)
Rebmik55

Josh,

is our expert in the pics department

[HoustonFarrier]

Where are you in Germany?? I was stationed there in the US Army for 6 1/2 years, in Worms. I loved it !!!

Steve