This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Horse Care » Hoof Care, Hoof Trimming, Shoeing Horses » Trimming and Preparing the Feet for Shoes »
  Discussion on Farrier wants to shoe
Author Message
Member:
paardex

Posted on Saturday, Apr 5, 2008 - 4:09 am:

Hi All,
Akacja my arab mare has not to big feet though they to me seem in line with the rest of her she is not big boned.
Her right front foot tends to grow to the right on the outside[normal] but to the right on the inside too.[I know horrible explanation and my picture will be even less good]
It is not the complete hoof that goes outward but halfway the hoof it sort of turns inside.
My farrier insists he can only do something about it by shoeing her. She was shod when I got her and imo the foot was just the same only the shoe perhaps bore more weight?
She is going to have her first foal she is only walking in the pastures she is sound as a horse can be legs are ALWAYS cool[when she was shod for one reason or other her tendon on this front leg would give heat up under the knee from time to time,perhaps coincidence but never happened barefooted again.
I would prefer her going barefooted[foot are in excellent condition ] but the farrier assures me her whole foot will start to grow out of form given the time without shoes.
What do our experts say please?
Member:
paardex

Posted on Saturday, Apr 5, 2008 - 4:11 am:

Sorry picture got lost another try
Jos
Member:
scooter

Posted on Saturday, Apr 5, 2008 - 5:53 am:

Hi Jos Not an expert! I can see what you mean kinda from the pic and it almost looks like it could just be rasped off?

IMO I wouldn't shoe her if she is sound and going to foal why risk lameing her up at this time.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Apr 5, 2008 - 9:29 am:

jos, I remain confused as to what exactly is going on. How about good images from the front and the sides? Try to get a bit lower, use a flash, show the foot just to the cannon and line your self up a little better to true lateral and truly anterior to the foot.
DrO
Member:
mrose

Posted on Sunday, Apr 6, 2008 - 12:06 am:

IMO, if at all possible I prefer to have a mare barefoot when she foals and when she has a young foal at side.
Member:
paardex

Posted on Sunday, Apr 6, 2008 - 3:49 am:

So do I but I will try to get better pictures[she keeps following the camera] if I don't succeed you will be able to judge for yourself when you are here Sara because I refuse to shoe her before the foal if she is sound with good hoof quality and growth. I am just a bit frightened to end up with a deformed hoof in the end.
Jos
Member:
sunny66

Posted on Sunday, Apr 6, 2008 - 11:32 am:

Jos, no expert here! But how often is she trimmed?
Member:
paardex

Posted on Sunday, Apr 6, 2008 - 2:17 pm:

Each 5 to six weeks Aileen
Jos
PS Think with your horsebackground you qualify as expert
Member:
sunny66

Posted on Sunday, Apr 6, 2008 - 3:29 pm:

What if you asked your farrier to come out more often and trim just a little each time? That may help the foot stay in proper shape. You could ask him to come out every three weeks? One week just do her, then the next time do all the horses? My farrier lives down the street from me (luckily!) so that may not be an option for your farrier but just thought I'd throw that out. You could ask it with the caveat that it would only be until the foal is weaned? If it works you have a good point to keep it up :-)

Re: the following you so you don't get a good picture... try giving her some grain and while she's busy snap a couple for Dr. O :-)

psst... may be with my horse, but only my horse because I've studied him so closely for so long. Each horse is so very different, but thank you for the vote of confidence :-)
Member:
paardex

Posted on Monday, Apr 7, 2008 - 12:53 pm:

Good idea Aileen, he lives nearby and will certainly do that!
Pictures alas not succeeded she managed to damage the camera when I tried to make a beautiful 'underneath' one. To me it is a mystery how you all get your horses to 'pose' like that but I will post as soon as camera functions again
Jos
Member:
paardex

Posted on Sunday, May 11, 2008 - 4:09 am:

Thought I would update on Akacja her feet.
We decided to trim her a little as often as possible[for her hoofs the farrier lives very nearby and fits her in whenever she needs him]
This is what she looks like 3 weeks after trim. Though heavily pregnant she seems comfortable [on the foot part]
Jos
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC