Hi Dr. Teskey,
This is complicated. I have a horse who was
kicked and her off hind tibia suffered a spiral fracture two years ago. That has
healed well. Alas, arthritis set in last winter and two months ago she was very
lame on the other (near) hind and this was X Rayed and she's been diagnosed
with hock spavin. A week later, she went lame on the other hind so she was lame
alternately on both back legs. Laminitis was diagnosed on the leg that had
previously been broken. Laminitis was caused by putting all her weight on the other
leg. Just as putting all her weight on the unbroken hind leg led to the
arthritis!
Management has been very difficult because while box-rest and Bute were prescribed for the laminitis, this meant the bone
fusion in the leg with spavin was held up for lack of exercise. I've started
some gradual, limited turnout in the last two weeks and there's been no flare up
of the laminitis, though the hoof did feel a bit warm at first. Her back shoes
were removed, when the laminitis struck (she'd never had it before, despite
being a prodigious good-doer) and she's been re-trimmed twice. She has very good
very neat little feet.
My questions are: Should she remain barefoot as
long as possible? The ground is very hard but quite dry. She's in a large airy
box on deep shavings for around 18 hours a day. Should I turn her out again
24/7? She has a suitable paddock where I can keep her safe from the other horses
and limit her grass intake.
Should I be taking her for walks to exercise her
and harden up her feet and get those bones fused? Or should I saddle her up and
ride her? I had a softish sand school and of course the dry fields and also, stony
tamac roads.
Should I put her old shoes back on her back
feet? Or should I invest in some hoof boots, leave her unshod and start riding
her again? Leaving off of course if her lameness returns. She hasn't been lame
for six weeks (and has been off Bute for the same) and trots freely in her
field, though I haven't asked her to trot on the lead. I can borrow a
lightweight rider if that is a better option at this stage.
Many thanks,
Hi
there,
Certainly, I
advocate for all horses to live in as natural an environment as possible,
without shoeing that only harms them in the long run. So many of the issues
you're dealing with can be helped by finding that right environment for your
horse. Indeed, the problems you have with the horse now are very likely due to
keeping her confined and in shoes instead of allowing her freedom of
movement and treating her hooves properly. Two of the better books out there
that would help you with these questions are "The Natural Horse" by Jaime
Jackson, and "Making Natural Hoofcare Work for You" by Pete Ramey.
Giving
you specific recommendations is not as easy without getting more information and
some pictures of the horse and the hooves. This is a pretty involved situation
you've got. I would be happy to consult with you, look over the whole history
and current situation, go over pictures, any x-rays, and make some specific
reccomendations that will give us the best chance of improving her quality of
life and best chances for settling and giving you a foal.
Take
care,
Dr. Tom
Teskey
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