|
|
Post by majandra on Nov 12, 2016 4:49:00 GMT
I don't have any photos yet, so will post them when I can.
There was a little bit where Rock had a hitch in his stride if I was trotting left on the wall, on the correct diagonal, but was gone when I was on wrong diagonal. That was the only lameness. After he had his feet trimmed last, I had rode him a couple times and he was not off at all. I'd noticed that he had deep cracks in a couple heels. When the vet was at the barn last, I showed her the one foot that had the worst crack, with ragged frog, and the top of the crack kind of hooded out and jagged (yes I really need those photos). She said it was likely an abscess that had blown, but wasn't too concerned since he wasn't lame. I have her booked to do his teeth next week, and so will have her take a better look at his feet then. On Wednesday I had free lunged him, and he was a little off at the trot, but it worked out quickly. Today I rode him, and he was champing the bit before I mounted, and was doing it while riding despite just walking (he normally does that when impatient, or I'm confusing him or he is really bothered). So I brought him to a trot, and sure enough, unwilling but mostly sound with right side on the wall, and a pronounced hop when going left. I brought him to a walk, and dismounted after a minute or so.
I had thought the lameness to be related to his hocks/arthritis before, since that has been an on and off again problem for a while. But there are no signs that there is anything different with them. But he flinches when I clean out the cracks. That seems to be a problem. Now I had thought before that maybe he had thrush, but the farrier said no before. He also said Rock's feet were in really good shape the last time I was actually there for the trim. And there have been no negative comments relayed to me since. So I'm really not sure what to think. Could the constant mud out here be wrecking his frogs and heels? Is being inside at night changing something (been in at night since sept).
Sorry to post something that is likely not really good enough right now, but it's focused my mind at least. I'll write back later with photos and whatnot- masseuse will be out sunday and will be able to give advice too, and help with photos
|
|
|
|
Post by horselady on Nov 12, 2016 12:30:52 GMT
It is difficult to know without those photos.. and take the photos with him standing.. front and side and if you can one from close up of the rear of his hoof.
i have a feeling he is getting trimmed too often and his hoof is not allowed to naturally grow out. sometimes humans want to do what is right and feel that every 6-8 weeks they need that trim.. i allow my horses to grow. and break off at a natural point . than have a farrier look and trim.. and have that frog on the ground and heels kinda low.
going from outside to inside should have no bearing on the mud outside. as when he is inside the stall will dry his hoof.. also what kind of bedding are you using and if they use lyme or stall odor dust before the bedding. ??
|
|
|
|
Post by horselover4life on Nov 12, 2016 12:45:48 GMT
When you take photos, those photos would be most accurate if done from a ground level angle for front and side views.
Yup, on a solid surface, place the camera {and you} as flat on the ground as you can. I have done these laying on my belly to make sure we captured best results a time or two...
Get as much debris/mud off the feet, side and sole so we have as much accuracy as possible in what is seen.
Not every frog should be "cleaned up" either by the farrier...they shed naturally.
Some farriers get a little knife crazy and do to much "cleaning"...
I do wonder though with your description of ragged and cracks if he has underneath the frog, "hidden from easy view" thrush.
When you clean do you ever have black tarish colored material on the hoof pick?
Do you go between the hoof bulbs?
Does the point of the frog lift?
What breed of horse is this guy? sorry, don't remember if you introduced him to us.
Gaited horses need to be trimmed differently than a regular riding horse or they do go sore and lame.... 
OK...we need those photos, yes indeed.
And we need more information answered to some questions....
|
|
|
|
Post by majandra on Nov 12, 2016 15:55:30 GMT
He's an anglo arab, 26 yo.
He gets trimmed every 6-8 weeks, though it seems he is always long on sides, flush on the toe ( I usually can't tell the farrier was out).
I do get black stinky stuff on the pick, but then the mud is black and stinky here too so hard to tell. I always clean everything I can, including in the crack gently. His feet don't smell like the horse's that I could smell across the barn when being picked either.
Ok, photos later!
|
|
|
|
Post by horselover4life on Nov 12, 2016 22:30:22 GMT
He's an anglo arab, 26 yo. Is he at all gaited? He gets trimmed every 6-8 weeks, though it seems he is always long on sides, flush on the toe ( I usually can't tell the farrier was out). Sorry, this statement bothers me, a lot!
When you can't tell your farrier was in attendance and worked on your horses hooves...
That makes me wonder if part of the problem is the farriers care being given...
I do get black stinky stuff on the pick, but then the mud is black and stinky here too so hard to tell. I always clean everything I can, including in the crack gently. His feet don't smell like the horse's that I could smell across the barn when being picked either. So, are you treating pro-actively for possible thrush?
Whether mud or not you have black stinky stuff on the pick when you clean those cracks...that is suspect to me.Ok, photos later! So.... Horses are normally very stoic about pain. Part of their instinct for survival is to not show pain, to move and do so with no change to the gait not bringing attention to them and show weakness. Your horse is actually showing you quite a bit if you think about it... He flinches when cleaning his hooves. He is limping when asked to move now under saddle or while lunging. He shows agitation chewing his bit...or is it showing pain? Could the constant mud be a contributing factor to all of this, YES!So, your farrier did not detect the thrush before. How long ago was that? Conditions change on a horses feet quickly as environmental factors also change.. Thrush is a bacterial infection if this is what he has... If he has thrush serious enough he is sensitive and sore, it needs aggressive attention and intervention done. He has open skin allowing bacteria from the ground to enter his body and set up house in a warm host environment. Whether he is only a little lame or a lot lame...he is lame, period. If your feet were always wet..well if me, my feet would be sore, very tender and I would limp... I have a feeling you may be dealing with more than one issue. The horse have a issue with a leg or shoulder and then his hoof issue. Makes me also wonder if he has been in mud for so long if he has any soreness in his tendons or ligaments from the constant sucking and pulling action the horse copes with with each step taken.... I would absolutely have the vet do a thorough evaluation of the horse....something is definitely not right at this time. Glad you already have the vet coming and will get answers soon and please, let us know what is found.Of course, this is all a opinion, mine and could all be wrong. |
|
|
|
Post by majandra on Nov 13, 2016 4:18:19 GMT
I should clarify that the mud isn't so bad that the only places to stand are in mud, but the water, gates, and road to the barn are mud. Pasture is grass- but we have had so much moisture, and then that  . Things only started to dry out this week. He isn't gaited at all. I was just cleaning with betadine - I have anti fungal and antibiotic creams to treat him tomorrow with. Thank you for your replies guys. Photos tomorrow, and update from what his masseuse finds. |
|
|
|
Post by horselady on Nov 13, 2016 12:40:13 GMT
This is my personal opinion.. and only that. i think if the horse is barefoot and the farrier is coming 6-8 weeks and you can not tell he was there than wait longer between trims.. there is a saying that "too much is going against mother nature" leave him alone.. just pick his feet only when you see something in them.. let the frog naturally shed and his hoof harden. a hoof should not be flared on the sides but rounder in the front.
i have horses that i never pick their feet. sure they are not being ridden or worked but their feet are wonderful. when an owner comes they are amazed how the hoof has grown and looks even all the way around.. believe me it is not my farrier it is walking on grass. gravel and dirt.
perhaps let him go for a few weeks. and take him for walks around the yard. hand walk.
also what grain is he eating?
|
|
|
|
Post by majandra on Nov 13, 2016 17:24:50 GMT
sounds like a good idea.
He gets hay cubes, with some beet pulp and oats, topped with Buckey Gro & Win, and Equine Power
|
|
|
|
Post by horselady on Nov 13, 2016 21:05:00 GMT
Why is he getting hay cubes an that mix,,, and give some information as to age... with information i can perhaps give more of my opinion..
|
|
|
|
Post by majandra on Nov 16, 2016 22:55:08 GMT
I didn't get the photos. Migraine had me pretty badly.
Vet was out today, and said his feet look improved, and that it is definitely thrush, and to keep up what I'm doing for treatment. She needs to check one of his teeth in a couple weeks, and will take a look then.
|
|
|
|
Post by horselady on Nov 17, 2016 19:14:15 GMT
With knowledge of what it is than it can be taken care of.. and i hope your headache is better
|
|
. Things only started to dry out this week.