My farrier was doing a poor job to say the least shoeing my horse. It really was a disaster. So I took her to my vet and his farrier met me there and together through x-rays and custom shoes fixed her up. She was sound the day we left the vet. X-rays showed nothing appeared wrong.
Next day she was still off when hacked lightly. Almost not rolling through her whole foot when stepping forwards. So I called the vet and he said ice for a couple days with light walking, since she had such a major foot change.
That is what I’m doing. Trying not to panic yet…
If she isn’t better Monday I will get him to the barn for the next steps.
So would it be realistic she would be off from the new shoes and big angle changes in her feet? OR is my paranoia true that it may be something more like ligament/tendon/ddft?
I know I should just wait but its consuming me with what I may have to prepare for:/
This is absolutely possible and common. My OTTB is slowly having his angles corrected among other foot problems addressed from his days as a race horse. Big changes should be avoided, slow and steady is the way to go, as I’ve learned very quickly. My guy is usually foot sore for a few days following his trims, and he kind of forgets how to walk for the first few steps for a couple of days because the angles are different. Imagine a huge change in the type and angle of your footwear, and the apply it to how your horse feels. Tendons are being used differently, the whole body is being used differently. Keep in contact with the vet and farrier who did the work, but no, I wouldn’t be surprised if your horse is sore for a few cycles as they’re corrected. If it persists, put in a phone call, and see what they think.
Any time you make a significant change in angles, length, etc. you run a high risk of “adaption time” where the horse will be uncomfortable until they adapt to the new regime.
Stay in touch with the vet and follow their advice.
G.
When I got my Izzy mare, her hooves had been used to being shod “for more knee action”. We did some pretty drastic changes to her angles. For 6 months she would need bute after every farrier visit, and about 2 weeks off before I could work her again at more than a walk. It was a long road, but now her angles are correct.
Just take it slow: give the ligaments time to adjust to the new angles, and for her hooves to regain their health (as I imagine blood flow may have been compromised?)
