gixer
Olympic Poster
My lil dressage superstar
Posts: 916
|
Post by gixer on Jun 13, 2009 13:08:05 GMT 1
very sore again at home on our less than perfect surface Would I be wrong to find a good farrier and have a front set of shoes put back on?
|
|
|
Post by mandal on Jun 13, 2009 15:21:38 GMT 1
No you wouldn't gixer, you're the one there seeing your horse move. If you want to work more than she is able then well... Are you using the boots? They should be worn on rough ground if there's soreness if possible.
|
|
gixer
Olympic Poster
My lil dressage superstar
Posts: 916
|
Post by gixer on Jun 13, 2009 15:49:55 GMT 1
because of the difference in her fronts the boots aren't 100% and I certainly wouldn't ride in them, one fits snugly but the other flaps, so for getting her accross the 150 yrds of sharp hardcore they are a godsend and mean i can get her onto some conditioning surfaces
Its not wanting to work more than she is able, I've put her through 6 months of discomfort, feel like calling it quits and going back to shoes where she was sound and much happier on her feet!
|
|
|
Post by mandal on Jun 13, 2009 15:57:17 GMT 1
It can sometimes be a very long hard journey for both horse and owner and it means many compromises and finding ways to keep her comfortable in the meantime. I honestly don't know what to say except the decision is yours in the end and I don't think any of us would blame you if you decided enough was enough... (((hugs)))
|
|
gixer
Olympic Poster
My lil dressage superstar
Posts: 916
|
Post by gixer on Jun 13, 2009 16:07:29 GMT 1
Thanks mandal I do feel I went into this a bit blind, and should have read up sooo much more before starting this journey, If I had known that it could be a couple years with a rather sore an mostly unridable Rio I don't think I would ever have done it!
I think Monday will be filled with trying to find a good farrier I can trust, I'm thinking of just a half set on her fore her hinds have always been better condition than her fores. (anyone reccomened a farrier in lincs?)
|
|
|
Post by mandal on Jun 13, 2009 16:17:29 GMT 1
I did too but the two I had that were shod were turned away when the shoes were removed and one had fairly good feet. It wasn't until I got Sophie I really started learning and got a trimmer. I would always say it's a decision that needs thorough research and a good realistic assessment by a good BF Trimmer as to the sort of time it may take and how much healing the feet need to do. Of course this can't be totally predicted but it's a good starting point to realize the amount of work and time as well as reduced work that may be involved. Diet can such a huge part of comfort too especially at this time of year...
|
|
gillmcg
Grand Prix Poster
Olympic Poster
Posts: 1,948
|
Post by gillmcg on Jun 13, 2009 17:06:02 GMT 1
It's your call re the shoes but just a few thoughts for you to ponder: how old is she how long was she in shoes if the shoes caused her feet to be this bad then how much worse are they going to get - could be that in a few years time you won't even be able to work her in shoes - then what when shod you don't notice how 'bad' the feet are - losing a shoe and being hopping lame is a sign IMO which is why I took the shoes off my horse (well the ones that were still on at the time!) I guess what I'm trying to say is that it depends on whether she has a long term future as a ridden horse or she's getting near the end. If the latter and determined to get a few more years out of her put shoes back on and try again when she's retired lame! If she's still young then by putting shoes on her you'll probably be shortening her ridden career in later years rather than by a year now. Sounds harsh but just my honest opinion.
|
|
|
Post by geeup on Jun 13, 2009 20:34:27 GMT 1
my personal opinion is that the only cure will be time, and really thinking about when she was Ok and why. I think you need to ask some brutal questions to however does her hooves, you obviuosly care a lot, but you have to be honest with yourself, this isn't going to mend overnight, so what do you want to do? Shoes or no shoes, this is not going to be a quick fix, if you put shoes on your still going to have frogs that arn't right and cracks right up the back, how much money will you waste trying shoes back on? Vets bills etc? No one knows, you have to make a realistic guess, within a realistic time frame. However odes her hooves you have got to be able to trust them and feel comfortable asking questions. Do any DGers recommend people in your area?
|
|
|
Post by mandal on Jun 13, 2009 21:09:26 GMT 1
Very good and valid points made Gillmcg and geeup. Have you had a really good heartfelt chat with your trimmer gixer??
|
|
|
Post by june on Jun 13, 2009 21:49:19 GMT 1
The best trimmer in your area is, without doubt, the one you thought was unreliable. Yes, she was unreliable because she was ill and in and out of hospital, and then a horse kicked her in the head and she was back in hospital. If you really do want barefoot to work then this is the person to work with. KC described her a while back as the best trimmer he'd every qualified. Otherwise, I'd be inclined to put front shoes back on.
|
|
|
Post by mandal on Jun 13, 2009 22:42:18 GMT 1
Imo gixer you can't get a better recommendation than that from June.
|
|
|
Post by Susan on Jun 14, 2009 8:43:16 GMT 1
Not only is Junes post 100% correct and hugely the best advice.. I also know another great great trimmer.. and his advice has always been "You do not shoe a bad foot to make it better"
It will in realty only worsen.
Get the foot right! That means listening and doing the advice. Give the foot time.. a few months is nothing if the foot has a lot to improve. Give the horse time with those feet.. Expectations.. dont have too high ones .. take each day as another day.. no bare foot journey has a true black and white guide
If you cant offer that all 100%.. shoe and just get on and ride your horse..But please do not say it doesnt work.. it just didnt for you at this time.
|
|
Azrael
Grand Prix Poster
Posts: 2,733
|
Post by Azrael on Jun 14, 2009 13:32:10 GMT 1
I do think you need to work out why she's sore beyond 'doesn't have shoes on' and that these are feet that can benefit and improve from being without shoes. But, if she was sound in shoes and the feet weren't rapidly deteriorating then I wouldn't think you were doing anything wrong by having a couple of sets of shoes on to let you enjoy the summer and then give the feet a break again over winter when its easier to have a horse in limited work. It'd also give you some time to research and plan how to go about it and sort some boots out rather than the stress of having a horse that's sore and not sure what to do about it.
It doesn't have to be all or nothing barefoot or shoes 100% of the time, you can do a bit of both as it suits you and the feet.
|
|
gixer
Olympic Poster
My lil dressage superstar
Posts: 916
|
Post by gixer on Jun 15, 2009 9:34:57 GMT 1
June, I wasn't aware (as you wouldn't expect me to be) of all the issues that had/have been going on. unfortunatly with Rio transitioning and my work restraints I didn't really have a choice but to change trimmer. I'm going to further reduce her grass as she is out 24/7 and I think that LGL is an issue with her. I'm going to stick out the barefoot thing. I'm sorry for my outburst there, it just gets so frustrating seeing everyone on the yard heading out for a lazy evening hack I wanna go too!! Gillmc Rio has just turned 8, I'm hoping she will have a very long working life and then a happy retirement with me I have NO plans to part with her ever!
|
|
gillmcg
Grand Prix Poster
Olympic Poster
Posts: 1,948
|
Post by gillmcg on Jun 15, 2009 11:06:42 GMT 1
Hey don't apologise! Everybody needs to let off some steam and this is a better place to do it than most. We all want what's best for our horses but it gets so frustrating when that delays our plans. Just think though, she's only 8, you've got yeeeeeeeeaaaaaars ahead of you both! My advice is to save every penny you can for some boots then you can join those lazy hacks, stun 'em at the stressage and build up her feet at the same time.
|
|