Q & A with The Vet

Tender Feet

Hello

I was wondering if after having my horses feet trimmed is it possible his feet were tender?  He was very hesitant to walk toward where the farrier did his feet and then, no matter what we tried, we just couldnʼt get him to lunge.  He just stood there and refused to budge.

Kindest regards

M

Hello M,

 

Certainly your horse could have been trimmed too much.  It sounds like this was the case from your description.  I have a "trim manual" you can find on the EasyCare website that might be of help to your farrier. 

 

Take care,

 

Dr. TT

Inflamed Coffin Bone- Frustrated Trimmer

Hello Dr. Teskey,

 

I have studied your work as well as Pete Ramey's for a couple of years now.  I have been trimming my 10 horses as well as about 45-50 others for the past year.  I have a horse with a bit of a story.  I was making great progress with her, she went back to the original owners and now they say she will be just fine once they get shoes back on her.  Can I bounce her pictures off you and see what you think, as well as any "professional" opinions you may have for me as well as the owner?

 

Thank you for your time and always saying what you think, :)

Jen

Hi Jen,

If the owners are not committed to using a natural approach for their horse, we aren't going to be of help.  Folks need to make up their minds and make a committment if we are to be successful with them and their horses.  Don't take others' decisions personally.  All you can do is your best, and say what you mean/mean what you say to clients.  You know you are a good hoof care provider regardless of what others say or do.  Keep your chin up.

Of course it would also be interesting to look at hoof/horse pictures you've got, regardless of whether the horse will be treated appropriately or not:)

I'm sure we could learn something along the way,

Dr. T

Ringbone

Hello,

I read your two previous questions about ringbone, however my horse seems a bit different, and I thought I’d see what you think. 

I have an 18 year old, 15.2hh, “bull-dog” Quarter Horse gelding.  I have ridden and driven him for the past 7 years, and the last 5 years we were competing in competitive trail driving over distances of 25 to 50 miles.  The actual events were on soft ground, but 90% of our conditioning was done over paved roads.  He has extremely nice and healthy hooves, which are large and in good proportion with his very stocky body.  Through our competitive years and pavement driving, he wore steel shoes on all 4 feet, with borium for traction, and rubber pads for cushion.  He never took a lame step a day in his life – ever, and his feet remained healthy.  Two years ago, about 2 months before a 50 mile event, he suddenly was very lame on a front leg.  Flexion tests and x-rays showed arthritis in his pastern.  Two weeks rest, bute, and then hit the roads again.  We successfully completed the event, with the event vet finding a small hint of lameness at the end, barely noticeable.

In the spring, we started conditioning again with plans of a 100 mile event in late spring. We drove on the roads for about a month, and he was lame again.  More x-rays were taken, and his official diagnosis was ringbone, and the changes just from fall to spring were noticeable.  The vet said to quit using borium, or have my farrier flatten out the borium, instead of making them small and steep.  The vet said his competition days were over, and that he would probably only be very light riding sound, and would progressively get worse as the years went on.  We tried Adequan, and Legend, with no change.  So, I retired him, pulled his shoes, and if I’m going to use him I give him bute the day before, the day of, and the day after.  If I don’t use bute, he’s moderately lame.

I hate the idea of him being a pasture pet at only 18.  I took him out recently and he’s so tender on the road and gravel, and will trot very hesitantly.  I’m starting to think that he’d be better off with shoes, seeing as then his feet aren’t actually on the roads, so it will lessen his lameness.  I’ve read a lot about corrective shoeing for ringbone, and am starting to think that barefoot is actually harming him instead of helping.  He’s trimmed every 4-6 weeks.

Thanks for reading this – I know it’s long!

Best Regards,

Pam

Hello Pam,

You need to keep up your research.  All your answers are out there on the internet.

It's vitally important you get some hoof boots for your horse, as well...always, always have boots on hand before taking shoes off a horse.

The lameness you see is the direct result of previous hoof care/management/shoeing.  All of a sudden your horse is feeling the damage.  Horses that are never shod and trimmed properly do not end up with these common problems.  Use of borium is especially damaging as it sends even more fierce vibrations up in to the horse's legs with every step.

Read www.hoofrehab.com in addition to others that come up when you do a search for "barefoot horse".

Dr. TT

A Tough Mare

Hi T2 and hope this finds you warm and well.

 

I am struggling with an older TWH mare who was in shoes and harshly ridden for most of her life.

 

I began trimming her in May, 2007.  She was ouchy walking on anything so we put her in boots and she was quite happy.  Worked her way out of boots in a month or so.  Was tested positive for Lymes but not treated.

 

I worked with the owner who now trims her 2 horses and pony and does a nice job.

 

This mare got ouchy again so we suspected lamintis and took her off grass (turnout on grass was a few hours daily).  Got the sugar out of her diet, soaked the hay, booted as needed.  Added in a probiotic to counter act the bute regimen as discussed next.

 

The Vet, suspecting lamintis, had her on isoxsuprine (which was discontinued after I talked to owner) and bute which she weaned off.  Any suggestions on managing the pain?  Does bute have a role?

 

In November the owner called me very concerned as mare had runny manure and was losing all tone from topline.  She has definitely aged in appearance in the last year.

 

I did some research and suspected cushings.  Mare tested negative for Cushings, but her muscle enzyme levels were moderately off from normal.

 

Vet has no idea what's going on.

 

And to add to our misery, the herd is refusing to eat the hay purchased last fall so everyone is losing weight. (separate question... have any idea what's going on with the hay?  She didn't report any mold but obviously something is going on.)

 

Any help is so appreciated!

As always thanks so very much.

Dawn

Hi Dawn,

 

My suspicions are that this mare's age (ie- MILEAGE) are catching up with her.  I would still try some jiaogulan herb and cinnamon and chaste tree berry for the Cushing's and possible insulin resistance.  She'll be a tough case from the sounds of it.  Lots of issues!  Get rid of the isoxsuprine- absolutely worthless.  Occasional bute may get you over some "humps", but not good in the long run.  Increase exercise, put her to the test.  You've got nothing to lose.  Glad to hear you're doing well with the trimming and other adventures!

 

Dr. T

Swelling and Pain 3 Days After Banamine Injection

Dr. Tom,

My husband gave my 5 yr. old mare an IM injection of Banamine in the neck as she was showing early signs of colic and we were leaving to join family. 3 days later she is experiencing discomfort on her left side, she drags her left leg and does not want to turn her head to her back in either direction.  My husband and I both noticed swelling in the area where the shot was administered and it felt a little warm.  I checked her thoroughly and found no other causes for her discomfort so Iʼm assuming she has had a reaction to the injection of banamine. What caused this?  What do I need to do to care for her?  This is not the first time my husband has given an injection of banamine to this mare but this is the first time she has had such a reaction.

Sincerely,

Tracy

Hi Tracy,

Sometimes some liniment will help soreness and swelling in the neck after a reaction like this.  Time gone by will ultimately be what allows it to subside.  Many horses react to injections.  Especially in the neck- it's not that uncommon.  I would avoid giving this horse injections in the neck, and at all unless absolutely necessary.  She is obviously quite sensitive.  I've seen some horses end up with scar tissue and some stiffness in their necks after such a reaction, but that has been rare.  I would keep her moving for sure.  Don't let her just stand around.

 

Take care,

 

Dr. TT

Is There Ever A Reason to Shoe a Horse?

Greetings Dr. Teskey

I asked at my vet's office about shoeing.  The woman in his office said that it depends on what job the horse will be doing as well as the hoof integrity as to shoe or not shoe a horse. 

 

I also read an article that followed that line of thought.  From your articles I have read, and from current science research, horses don't need shoes.

 

Dr. Teskey, is there ever any reason to shoe a horse?

I want to remove the front shoes on my new 6yo mare and am afraid I going to be told  "she needs shoes".

 

Thanks for your help and for ALL THE EFFORT  and WORK you do to educate horse people.

 

Mary

Hi there,

 

The short answer to your question, for me, is NO.

 

I'm attaching an article ("The Unfettered Foot; A paradigm change for equine podiatry") for you to read, since you'll soon be visiting your veterinarian.  It has some food for thought for you.  Maybe your veterinarian would also like a copy.

Dr. Tom T.

 

Treating Navicular

Dear Dr. Teskey,

Hi!  After being misdiagnosed for several months, my 13-year-old Appendix Quarter Horse Bugsy was diagnosed last spring with ligament problems.  When the recommended rest, etc., didn't cure his lameness as expected I took him to Cornell University's vet hospital where he was diagnosed within the last few weeks with fairly advanced navicular syndrome.

Their recommended treatment follows pretty traditional guidelines, with the Cornell vet fashioning modified shoes, and the vet recommending bute as needed, and so on, with possible neurectomy anticipated somewhere down the line.

However, a barefoot solution, with proper trimming, etc., intrigues me and I'm wondering if you can recommend any vets or other knowledgeable pros in my area I can turn to.

My horse is in the Sussex County, NJ/Orange County, NY area, which is just outside the greater New York City metro area.

I'm reluctant to proceed without the approval of a vet, so I'm hoping you can help me get in touch with one who's open to such treatments.  Those I've spoken to so far don't seem to approve of a horse with navicular syndrome going without shoes.

I'm also still in the process of determining just how sound my horse Bugsy may be.  He's recently been running around his turnout without too much trouble and last weekend I started riding him in a ring, moving at a walk and for a short time only.

Recent weather, as well as waiting for him to recover from thrush, among other things, have slowed my ability to move forward with him.

Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated--thanks!
          --Evan

Hi Evan,

Finding a good trimmer/hoof care provider is more likely than finding a DVM to help you.  I am embarrassed for my profession to say you don't need a traditional veterinarian at this point, as they are much more likely to harm your horse with antiquated and useless therapies, injections, shoes, surgeries.  A trimmer will have infinitely more success with you and your horse.  You just need to find one!  My best advice is to steer clear of veterinarians that are not open to your horse "having his feet back".   Think about it, it's all the previous management and treatment/shoeing that has brought your horse to this end.  Using more "special" shoeing techniques will simply make your horse worse and get them further from health.

Run a search for "barefoot trimmer list" on your computer and you'll get lots of hits.  Ask around.  Word of mouth is likely a good bet, too.

Don't let the vets and farriers bully you or strike FEAR in to you.  Your horse can absolutely heal.  Just give him the basic ingredients and enjoy the ride.

Dr. Tom T.

Gelding with Mild Club Foot

Dear Dr. Tom;

 

I recently purchased a 4 yo gelding with a mild club foot.  He had shoes on (barely) and I have removed them and done a barefoot trim.  I rasped some heel off the club foot and plan on gradually lowering the heel. The sole is extremely flat and the heel is contracted.  He is a little sore on that foot but the leg is not sore nor the tendons excessively tight. I have not been able to find information in barefoot trims and club feet.  Please enlighten me.

 

Ron

Dear Ron,

Sounds like you're off to a good start there.  Trimming these hooves is a challenge, and I'd say in general that people tend to try and remove too much of that heel in the long run.  A  little at a time is a good idea.  You'll reach a point where it seems the horse won't put up with any more depending on the amount of exercise.  If you visit some of the yahoo hoof trimming groups you can find lots of information from previous posts.  Go to yahoo.com and search in the "yahoo groups" for "trimming".

Dr. TT