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This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Joint, Bone, Ligament Diseases » Arthritis and DJD: An Overview »
  Discussion on Change in angles, how long will he be sore?
Author Message
Member:
gwen

Posted on Thursday, Apr 10, 2008 - 6:26 am:

My quarter horse has some arthritis in his front feet due to having malalignment for years. My relatively new farrier let Jack go a bit long in his toes, and consequently had to cut a lot off this time. This has left him sore in both front feet, which is what the vet said would happen. He was actually shod two weeks ago now, but is still sore. Is there anything I can do to make him feel better? I had buted him on and off for the first week, but worry about giving it to him for too long. At what point do I worry?
Member:
ekaufman

Posted on Thursday, Apr 10, 2008 - 9:05 pm:

Gwen,

Was he quicked or is it the angle change that's bothering him? Why did the vet predict that the horse would be sore from trimming? What did he recommend to treat the pain?

If bute helps, I'd be inclined to keep him on it (lowest effective dose), unless my vet warned against it. I know it's all of a sudden bad and evil, but it's helped ouchie horses for years w/o apparently harming many of them....
Member:
gwen

Posted on Friday, Apr 11, 2008 - 6:22 am:

Hi Elizabeth. I don't know what quicked means, but I am pretty sure it is the angle change. The vet said it would be a problem because he has some arthritic changes in his feet. She said that we needed to keep his angles correct to keep him comfy down there. His feet tend to splay as they grow, so the angles get way off, especially when he goes that long. I will just continue with the bute. Thanks for responding.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Apr 11, 2008 - 9:21 am:

Hello Gwen,
Hmm...I am in partial agreement with Elizabeth, the most likely reason for the soreness is not necessarily being quicked (though that will certainly do it) but excessive thinning of the sole or exposure of the sole at the toe to pressure from the shoe. This is a common problem following removal of a lot of toe.

Gwen the most important question at this point is the horse getting better? For information on the safety of bute is long term situations see Treatments and Medications for Horses » Anti-inflammatories (NSAID's, Steroids, Arthritis Rx) » Phenylbutazone (Bute).
DrO
Member:
gwen

Posted on Friday, Apr 11, 2008 - 10:09 am:

Do you mean getting better with bute? I suppose he is, but without it, he is still pretty uncomfortable.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Apr 12, 2008 - 9:13 am:

Hmmm...I would think after two weeks of "pretty uncomfortable" soreness I would want the lameness investigated. How many degrees change are there in the foot Gwen? For more on examining and treating horses following lameness associated with shoeing see, Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Diseases of the Hoof » Problems Following Shoeing or Trimming.
DrO
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