AAAAaaaaannnddd how is the MC working for her?? When my girl was thin soled she COULD NOT tolerate the added little bit of sole pressure it created. Hope it is working well, but if not it could just be too much pressure for her.
If MC is too much under the pad, you could also try a rim pad, and pack/wrap with magic cushion over night. We did that for one, and it did help.
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Yep. My thin soled TB was better off without anything. Admittedly, we didnāt try a lotā¦we knew why he was sore and it was related to weather (pasture got wet and then dry into lumpy grossness every few days. His feet would be soft from being in mud and then running around on lumpy ground when it tried was hurting his thin soles.) Pad/packing made them worse.
I really do LOVE the MCā¦just maresie couldnāt handle the pressureā¦sccchhmmearring some on and placing foot in fresh clean shavings each night was the best way to goā¦got the benefits but no pressure. Luckily 2 years later SHE HAS SOLE and is currently in leather pads with jusssst enough MC underneath.
And, do you guys think Isoxoprene helps grow sole? Any luck with Equibone?
Not sure about isox helping hoof growth. Itās meant to increase blood flow to the hoof, helping with navicular. It may help him feel better with the better blood flow, but if you are worried about sore feet and thin soles, I would keep in mind that you donāt want to accidentally overwork him because he appears better, but really the soles arenāt thickened up at all. The isox is just giving him a little help in the recovery department with the blood flow.
The horse I mentioned above that we used to pack his feet at night, I believe got farrierās formula as well and that helped support growth. It was a while ago so I am not 100% on the brand, but that sounds like it. He was an overgrown quarter horses who was not godās gift to good feet so we tried a lot of things with him.
We had a farrier that kept the toe cut back like it would in a natural break over if the horses were barefoot walking all day. Lots of people thought it looked weird (thatās not an argument for why not do it), or made them move less ābigā, but honestly, the horses were the most sound when that toe is kept back how it naturally should be. He also only used a leather pad as opposed to plastic. It does effect their movement as it is heavier, but if you need them to heal and have a chance to cool everything off I think itās worth the sacrifice.
I am not familiar with equibone.
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You should get radiography to determine if there is navicular changes, PO, etc that require treatments other than shoeing.
If it is long toe, underrun heels, and thin soles then that is addressed best by a farrier who understands how to trim such hooves. There are a lot of farriers that donāt so donāt assume yours does.
Iāve had farriers recommend Durasol. It is supposed to help build up the sole. I donāt know if it works or not.
My horse is unshod and it is because he has not needed shoes. Not starting any arguments about which is better. If he ever needs shoes heāll get them.
my horse is part TB he has the same fronts as your horse.
Farrier is working on keeping his toes short and getting more heel. Trims off as little sole as possible.
Your horse may benefit by getting more frequent trims.
If your vet and farrier canāt get along kick them both out of the sandbox and get someone who will.
Do some research for yourself so that you can have an educated discussion with your farrier about what you want to see happen and how you can work together to get the results you want.
if your farrier cops a 'tude then fire him and look for someone willing to work with you.
I totally respect my farriers education and experience and the fact that he is willing to answer my questions and discuss with me what he is doing.
I had a farrier fire me because I asked him not to trim my horses frogs off. It was making him sore. He got all offended and refused to come back. Well, okay then. Fine.
You may run into some resistance but stand your ground. Donāt be intimated by them.
Educating yourself can save you a lot of money and heartache down the road.
Not saying you shouldnāt listen to them, that is what you are paying them for, just saying you have the right and the duty to ask questions if you donāt understand what they want to do.
Good luck.
The Magic Cushion and pads should help the sole depth in and of itself, and did so quite well in my mare. Iāve unfortunately learned that many farriers take far too much sole off when trimming. The farrier I use now said my mareās prior lack of sole depth didnāt seem to be from genetics or poor feet but from an over-aggressive farrier. Heās big on being ākind to the footā and not being aggressive with over trimming. My go-to when trying to grow a better hoof is a seaweed and rosehips supplement. Hilton used to make one but Iām not sure whether they still do. But Iāve had good luck with that combination really helping grow some good foot.
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