Footsore barefoot horse... ideas?

[S1969]

@SarahandSam

Can you use hoof boots for turnout, or just for riding?

Yes, but they shouldn’t really just be thrown on and treated like shoes. They can build up moisture and encourage thrush, and they can also get rocks and sand in them and cause abrasions to the heel, etc. just creating new problems.

If they are well-fitting boots, I would potentially use them for partial day turnout, for example, and stalling without them. If your horse is never “inside” - it may not be the right solution.

I also don’t really agree with the “find yourself a barefoot trimmer” solution - because if your farrier can’t trim a horse without shoeing it, they aren’t very good. Most farriers can do both, depending on the needs of the horse. If not…why not?

[tabula_rashah]

I would take a look at Easy Boot’s Love Child (yes, that’s the real name). It’s kind of a boot shoe combo that’s meant to be glued on and provide the protection of the shoe and the cushion/ flexibility of the boot. And even in wet, muddy circumstances if your farrier knows how to glue- these puppies stay on tight. https://www.easycareinc.com/our_boots/Easyboot-LC.asp

[Palm_Beach]

OP, you are sure it’s not laminitis? You mentioned he hardly got any grass?

[Malda]

@pluvinel

While I don’t disagree that a check by a vet would be useful to rule out medical problems, I have had 2 horses with “great feet” according to farrier, eg. strong, thick hoof walls that seemed to have ouchy feet. No medical problems. All problems went away with shoes.

That’s my new mare. Farrier said great feet, but I could tell she was ouchy on our hard trails. Does just fine with boots.

I only use boots on the trails, not in the arena or any other time. Just because they need boots on hard ground doesn’t mean they need them on soft ground.

[TCA_Arabians]

I should have mentioned short trims in my previous. I’ve had that happen and it required therapeutic shoes to correct. The farriers were fired. As mentioned, feed can cause lameness as well.

I’d have a vet examine him. He or she will tell you if an x-ray is needed. You might also check with your vet and others for farrier recommendations. All my vets have horses themselves. My vet recommended a therapeutic farrier that I love and the horses love too.

[SarahandSam]

Laminitis would be pretty unlikely–I won’t rule anything out until a vet exam, but again, given that this all happened right after a trim and showed up on very hard/rocky ground and horse was fine two days prior on good indoor footing; horse isn’t really getting grass; horse has no heat or swelling anywhere; horse tested sore on all four soles; horse was dead lame when it appeared (again, on bad ground) but seems to be improving after rest; horse is standing and walking comfortably; horse generally gets some footsoreness at this time of year; and paddock is terrible, I’m still leaning toward footsore. So he’s now in hoof boots in front until the farrier comes Monday, at which point we’ll probably try shoes/pads again in front at least and see how that goes. Farrier was reluctant since he’s got such good feet, but I think his soles were just too thin after the trim and he got bruised and now we have to remedy it. If he’s not improved and happy by the end of the week with all the various things we’ve tried then I guess I’m scratching and using the trailering/hotel fees from the show to get vet work done instead, but I’m still holding out some hope.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

[Palm_Beach]

Then if the trim caused the problem you need a new farrier. A horse should not be sore all the way around due to a trim.

[Dressagelvr]

You have absolutely no idea what is wrong with this horse. Trying to find a treatment before diagnosis is backwards.

Have your vet do a full lameness work up and then have the vet confer with your farrier…or recommend a new farrier if that’s an issue.

Trying a bunch of things on your own based on internet suggestions will at best prolong and could actually worsen the issue at hand.

Diagnosis comes first. Even, no perhaps especially, if it is a recurring issue.