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Post by donnalex on Nov 9, 2012 10:08:36 GMT 1
Look for an ACPAT registered physio, that way you know they have had the proper training. Too many going about thinking they know what they are doing that actually dont. www.csp.org.uk/professional-networks/acpat
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Post by mags on Nov 9, 2012 10:21:47 GMT 1
I think Lisap makes a good point. If the horse tends towards the EMS side and is very sensitive to grass/sugars, then exercise (while comfortable) should help. Though if the horse is/was still sore in shoes and got bruised soles, I might stick with padded boots for the time being as they would protect the soles better. Whichever makes the horse more comfortable, really. Also, turnout alone in a mud-patch doesn't sound like much fun for the horse. Would muzzled turnout with the rest of the herd and part-time stabling be an alternative? That way, the horse would have more company and movement, be turned out on (hopefully) slightly less muddy ground and get some time in the stable for the hooves to dry out and maybe reduce the softening/wearing due to mud. Just a thought.
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rowanrachel
Olympic Poster
Life is better when you share it with Horses :-)
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Post by rowanrachel on Nov 9, 2012 10:23:11 GMT 1
I'm another on Forage plus winter balancer. Honey had very thin soles when I got her and was very footy and uncomfortable on stones. As well as having thrush. after alot of advice from folks on here i changed feed, added the balancer and BY and linseed for her sweet itch. I'd say it took a good few months to see the full benefits of the changes but in the mean time my trimmer also recommended Keretex hoof hardener which can be painted on the sole (not the frog) every day for a week or so then every other day for another week and it helps the sole to thicken! It is a very strong formula so I'd research into it a bit more and maybe ask ur vet before using it on ur horse if the soles are very thin, but I did find it helped to build them up a bit quicker. Also agree with Lisap that exercise is a must but as you've already said you had to take the shoes of so you can use boots to get over the stones, then building up as your doing is probably the best. Good luck and keep us posted. :-)
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Post by bertie666 on Nov 9, 2012 10:39:46 GMT 1
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Post by seble on Nov 9, 2012 14:24:54 GMT 1
Having a look at Joelle's web site, I don't think she would be impressed with our lack of facilities ;-) But have had a look at a few on register and Kathrine Petts and Nicola Bagguley seem to be the closest. Have seen a few good reviews on t'internet for them including a link from a barefoot site to Kathrine's email.
Am also going to ring the vet back on Monday morning and considering having x-rays. Since I've been thinking about what he said during his visit, I now recall he was pondering whether the thickening arround the kick cut (now healed) was damage to the splint bone but he quickly discmissed that saying that wouldn't cause any long term problems. Having done a bit more looking up, if it is damage to the splint bone, it is in the upper third (just below chestnut on near hind) and that can cause problems as so near the hock. So I am going to ask him to x-ray that leg (possibly both back legs) as I'm still convinced there is something else. So gentle walking in hand (booted), xrays and then if all clear, physio. A plan at least makes me feel like I'm working towards helping her. I will keep you posted, really appreciate all the advice.
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Post by donnalex on Nov 9, 2012 14:59:38 GMT 1
Glad to see you are looking at the whole horse and not just the feet as does seem to sometimes happen when people go down the barefoot route
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Post by jes on Nov 9, 2012 18:48:10 GMT 1
I can highly recommend Joelle. Don't worry about lack of facilities, we don't have a school or even a decent flat surface to trot them up on, but it didn't matter when she came. She said she can see what the problem is on most horses within 5 minutes and usually just needs to see them walked and trotted up, despite what it says on her website about needing somewhere to lunge.
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Post by seble on Nov 9, 2012 20:21:08 GMT 1
Thanks Jes, that's good to know I will put her back into my list. Gonna wait til after X-rays though as whoever comes will need to know what they are dealing with.
Spoken to insurance co today (pet plan) and although laminitis has been excluded for years, if her hind leg problem is caused by the field injury, they should cover cost of X-rays/any treatment to splint bone and any vet approved physio (subject to excess of course!) but i know its not a given so if they don' they don't.
Feeling so much more positive today which has been been helped in no small part by the advice on here. Xxxxx
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Post by lizpurlo on Nov 9, 2012 23:14:27 GMT 1
Synthetic shoes are great for horses with bruised or dropped soles - they must feel to the horse like putting on comfy slippers or trainers! They are expensive, but well worth it - no more faffing about with boots. They are shock absorbing so benefit the whole limb. I've used both Imprint (glue-on only) and Epona (glue and or nail on) and both gave excellent results and stayed on really well. Gave my post-founder cob a new lease of life - he would cheerfully jog down our gravelly lane instead of paddling down on the verge.
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Post by seble on Nov 15, 2012 10:07:35 GMT 1
Thought I'd give you a quick update on Celyn's progress. I got some alphabute at the weekend, not to mask things but just to try to make her a bit more comfortable. She is still not right but I think it has has some effect, even if it just helps her to relax her muscles. Vet is coming at 10 this morning to do X-rays, gonna X-ray her front feet just to check what's going on and really check her sole thickness, also X-ray her back legs to check for any splint bone damage from the kicking match. I've also been considering whether it would be worth xraying her back feet to check if she has damaged her pedal bone. I've read a lot about horses who have actually fractured their pedal bone and been intermittently lame rather than hopping on 3 legs, so I'll discuss that with him when he gets here. Just hoping that she is going to be a good girl with the X-ray equipment, keeping calm and keeping my heart rate down!
Will keep you posted when the X-ray results come back, got a short list of 3 ACPAT physio's to call once we know whats going on but I will call joelle first, will probably depend on who can come out first though.
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Post by mandal on Nov 15, 2012 10:25:38 GMT 1
To add a thought. Consider switching to Forage Plus performance balancer and definitely add vitamin e powder. Another thing to consider is a Cushings test if not done already.
I also think you need to rethink her management. Fence walking indicates she is stressed. The stress and repetitive turning movement during fence walking wont help.
Good luck with the investigations.
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Post by seble on Nov 15, 2012 12:54:14 GMT 1
Thanks mandal, will definitely consider the switch. Have already started thinking about how to change her management, however she has always been a fence walker even before she was in her restricted grazing and on with the herd but it is something I am definitely considering. May need a change of yard but if that's what she needs then that's the right thing to do.
She was however an absolute angel for the X-rays, I couldn't have asked for a better behaved horse, he has done her back pedal bones "just to keep me happy!" ;-) Should get results tomorrow morning.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2012 13:19:25 GMT 1
I was going to suggest bringing in at night but saw in one of your updates you have done that for the last couple of weeks, so stick with it. I have found since Talin started coming in at night his feet have really hardened up.
We were just discussing on my yard last night that this year has been a nightmare for the constant wet weather softening feet up and making them more sensitive and more prone to infection.
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Post by seble on Nov 15, 2012 13:35:43 GMT 1
Hi Michelle, Yes vet said same today, he said he has seen so many horses with hoof/sole problems from the wet ground, his thoughts are that she is a victim of the shocking season we have had this year. I think her soles are hardening up since she's been coming in as we'll, I have just got some NT dry to use as well (instead of the builders lime the vet suggested as the health and safety guidelines on that freaked me out!) which should also help with drying out at night.
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Post by donnalex on Nov 15, 2012 13:37:24 GMT 1
If she is a long term fence walker her limbs will have suffered more wear and tear than is average for her age so I think you are right to have her ex rayed.
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