What can you tell me about these hooves?

[Horseaholic]

Hello, I'm a newbie here and am in a bit of a predicament with my newly purchased horse. I was pointed in y'all's direction by WashingtonBay. I'm hoping maybe I can get some information.
When I purchased this horse I knew that I was getting into a can of worms. I want to take care of him correctly and am looking for a new farrier. This is his current condition with the existing farrier. Apparently, things were "much worse" before this farrier started treating him. I don't have loads on information on this horse so all I can really give you is that he is an 11 year old English OTTB.
Any input is greatly appreciated.

1- fronts
2 Left Front
3 Right Front
4 Right Rear
5 Left Rear

...more pics in second post.

[Horseaholic]

1 Right Front
2 Right Rear
3 Left Front
4 Left Rear

[calshoer]

So far, they do not look all that bad .Typical TB feet with fairly thin walls. Nothing a competent,well trained farrier should not be able to handle. He looks due for a re shoeing.

[Horseaholic]

Okay, so I have been speaking with a farrier and his remarks were the following: (along and with a pretty high quote for this work. )

· L/F club foot, upright and smaller than R/F

· R/F long toe low heel, under run heels

· R/R heels forward & under run, bulbs low, possible quarter crack forming on outside wall

· L/R inside heel worst, both heels are under run, bulbs close to ground


Recommend flat aluminum shoe on left front, 3° aluminum wedge on right front with a sole support pour and steel shoes on rear to help with the low under run heels.

[Donnie Walker]

As you said, ".....I knew that I was getting into a can of worms....."

Be sure you find someone who can address the Hi-Lo syndrome exhibited by the more upright left front and the low heeled right front. The lateral cartilages of the lower foot are really in need of caudal support and the extensor process on the left front doesn't look very comfortable either. The obvious omission of nails and the presence of glue is a story all its on.

Post your general location and perhaps someone can "PM" you with a referral.

[seminolewind]

On post #2 of the undersides, are you sure that the top left is the RF? Maybe the bottom left pic is the RF?

[Horseaholic]

Are the pictures showing up different for you than me? Mine are in a straight line. The ones with the bracelet in them are the right side the ones without the bracelet are the left. Fronts have shoes. Does that help?

[seminolewind]

Originally Posted by Horseaholic

Are the pictures showing up different for you than me? Mine are in a straight line. The ones with the bracelet in them are the right side the ones without the bracelet are the left. Fronts have shoes. Does that help?

The ones marked RS have the bracelet. Sorry, the RF without the bracelet - the hoof looked more elongated.

[seminolewind]

My horse has almost the same setup, high/low in the front. I've maintained her barefoot, but I am not suggesting barefoot or shoes.

The situation just needs more diligent maintenance, really not a huge can of worms. The feet need a good trim, and the low foot needs to have the toe backed up and the heel brought back. I know one of my past farriers had trimmed the low foot properly, then put a wedge shoe on, and after 2 shoeing cycles, my horse was good to go without the wedge. With my horse's more upright foot, with proper trimming , using the live sole as a guide, trimmed every 5 or 6 weeks, you can hardly see the difference in the 2, and they were both trimmed in accordance to the live sole plane. It's like they helped themselves. There is a 2-3 degree difference in them. But what a mess when I got her.
The backs, well, I think most here would suggest shoes until those heels improve. See? not a crisis.

[John Emsley]

You haven't mentioned that he is sore and from what I can see he will require pretty straight forward work, just as Patty said. The high low syndrome is very average in severity and the different sized front hooves are mainly a shaping and fitting exercise. The only concern I would have is the fill all around the front hooves.......what's with that? The thin walls should improve over time with proper care.
John

[Horseaholic]

Thank you for all of your input!

I purchased this horse yesterday and have been riding him for a few months. He never seems ouchy but does trip in the fronts.
The glued on shoes are a vague story to me. I've never spoken to the current farrier so I couldn't tell ya what exactly is going on.

[seminolewind]

Originally Posted by Horseaholic

Thank you for all of your input!

I purchased this horse yesterday and have been riding him for a few months. He never seems ouchy but does trip in the fronts.
The glued on shoes are a vague story to me. I've never spoken to the current farrier so I couldn't tell ya what exactly is going on.

You'll be fine. Some famouse racehorse had a club foot.

How exciting getting your horse!

[Rick Burten]

Originally Posted by seminolewind

You'll be fine. Some famouse racehorse had a club foot.

I think you are referring to "Assault". He didn't have a club foot per se, rather the foot was deformed due to him stepping on a surveyor's stake during, IIRC, his yearling year. Didn't stop him from winning the Triple Crown though.

Rick

[seminolewind]

Easygoer had a grade 1-2 club foot

[Horseaholic]

Hi, I'm back. I wish it were for better reasons...

I've been having quite the hard time with the BO and regulars at the barn. They are saying I'm going to end up with a lame horse because I'm trying to fix something that isn't broken. I'm torn and confused because my knowledge with feet just isn't there yet.

She says that apparently his angels were messed with before and he was lame for 2 months and that I shouldn't start messing around with his feet like that because his muscles are already conditioned to his feet the way they are. Apparently her farrier is trying to get the heals to support themselves?? I'm grasping at anything I can. Obviously, I don't want a lame horse and I want to do what's best for HIM (not my BO or her loyalty to her farrier). I'm just thoroughly confused and do not have the knowledge to stand up for myself with a firm and factual case.

Also, she stated that aluminum shoes ruin horses feet and that I need to make sure he gets steel? Any input would be greatly appreciated.