What is the best way to fix this mess?

[rulex]

@maddyiy

I’m in a tricky situation in the place I live where many of the things you all mentioned previously are not available here or very very expensive and so not sustainable long term, so I have to think carefully.

You know your horse best and more importantly, what resources are available to you. Since I don’t, I’m not going to try and give you advice based on a couple of photos you posted on a thread.

Sounds like you are very attentive to your horse’s comfort. Don’t beat yourself up for trying different things, even if they didn’t work out as you hoped. Mistakes are how we learn and grow. Horses are resilient and the body has an innate ability to heal. You will be able to get your horse comfortable again, though it could take longer than you expect. Trust your gut. Keep asking questions and learning. And if you feel your resources are limited locally, don’t be afraid to reach out to professionals outside your geographic area for consultations or support.

[beowulf]

OP, I also manage a KS horse who is a balancing act. First things first; you did not do anything stupid. In a very general sense, it’s usually in a horse’s best interest to have them in copacetic herd arrangements out 24/7.

You know your horse best. If it were me, I might give it time before changing anything back. My KS horse goes best in hind shoes too, but I have to pull in the winter because shod horses need boriums here. I can’t do that in a herd situation, so they get pulled. Yes, there’s an adjustment period – Durasole really helps as @RhythmNCruise mentioned.

Your horse’s hinds show some wear, but I actually think the balance is a little better. His hooves were self-correcting; there was excess wall that was being held by the shoe and those chips are that weakened wall chipping away. There are fever rings present in the shod photo that appear worse in the shoeless photos - but keep in mind by the time fever rings show up the event causing them is in the past. I don’t like his balance with the hind shoes and would suspect NPA there. I would talk to your new farrier about what they think about the hinds’ angles; its tough to tell much from the photos and I’d want to see the bottom of the foot, but I suspect he needs a little more heel depth before he adjusts 100% to barefoot. I would see how he feels with the lost front shoe tacked on; it may be that is the apple upsetting the apple-cart, so to speak. Which KS horses always are.

[maddyiy]

Your take is really interesting, I’ll take it into account for sure!

For now I’m pretty sure I’d like to give him some protection so he can grow some hoof, but not traditional shoes since they’re obviously too short.
Tomorrow the new farrier comes out and I’ll talk to him about various possibilities.

Your take about his shod hooves is interesting to me especially because I take pictures every time he’s shod and I noticed that the angles seemed better than a year ago, when the farrier I had up until now started working on him.

What do you think about the pictures of his hinds from 2024 that I posted? ( It’s the last one). I know it’s not a great angle but since it looks a little different from his hooves now I think it’s nice to compare.

I don’t know if I’ll be able to keep him barefoot behind, I have my doubts, but I’m also aware that he wore his feet so quickly because of the terrain, and I won’t put him in that situation anymore.

If the new farrier is open minded we can experiment a bit maybe plastic shoes could be an option long term, if the cost is not excessive.

[beowulf]

@maddyiy

What do you think about the pictures of his hinds from 2024 that I posted? ( It’s the last one).

Is it the same post that has a confo picture of him in bell boots? While it’s hard to tell from photos, I don’t wonder if his sole is thin with the way his toe and heel have run forward. His toe is pretty short in the more recent photos. What does the solar view of his hoof look like? Have you ever done x-rays on his hooves to see sole depth?

Pulling shoes on a horse with unbalanced hinds (as the shod photos suggest) isn’t going to suddenly balance the hoof. The original photos do show some jamming and lots of fever rings, which can suggest low-grade laminitis and/or chronic inflammation happening.

I am a big proponent of more natural setting (herd arrangement, varied terrain) for horses. Some horses need time to adjust and thrive after. Some can’t do it. YMMV.

[maddyiy]

Unfortunately I don’t have x-rays of his hinds because every time I asked for them my vet said it wasn’t necessary. I’ll definitely get them done the next time she comes out, and it’ll be pretty soon for sure.

I see your point, I’ll certainly talk to the new farrier to try and optimise the trim of his hinds whether he’ll be shod or not long term.

I’m also all for horses living in herds, but I’m also not the kind of person that deems all horses the same.

Where I board the owner is very very keen on horses living in the herd (30+ horses), which I understand and appreciate but I also have to advocate for my horse and his comfort.

I know him well now and I don’t think that type of setting is actually sustainable for him long term, I tried and it became clear pretty fast. It’s also not like he’s stabled 12 hours a day, he normally still lives out 24/7 and I’d be really really happy if I can give him a buddy.

If not he was the “happiest” and healthiest I’ve ever seen him since I own him, so I’ll go back to that I guess.

[Libby2563]

@maddyiy

Where I board the owner is very very keen on horses living in the herd (30+ horses), which I understand and appreciate but I also have to advocate for my horse and his comfort.

I know him well now and I don’t think that type of setting is actually sustainable for him long term, I tried and it became clear pretty fast. It’s also not like he’s stabled 12 hours a day, he normally still lives out 24/7 and I’d be really really happy if I can give him a buddy.

If not he was the “happiest” and healthiest I’ve ever seen him since I own him, so I’ll go back to that I guess.

I think you’re on the right track thinking about what has kept him comfortable in the past. It’s obvious that you care about him and are trying to consider all the factors! It’s hard with these guys that have a lot going on, and boarding adds its own considerations. Good on you for thinking it all through.

I do think that although an adjustment period is normal, full turnout with 30+ horses is a big change from living solo, and it may just be too much for him right now.

[maddyiy]

Thank you so much I think I’m finally in the right headspace again and that decision was definitely rushed.

For sure it’s a big change, and it showed in him, but in the end he lived with the heard for literally two weeks before he pulled the front shoe. And it’s summer with very dry surfaces and grass to walk on.
That definitely told me in autumn and winter when it gets muddy and all the shod horses start to lose a shoe or two he could not be sound in that environment.

For his well being we can’t afford him losing a shoe every three weeks or something like that.

I also think, and maybe I’m wrong, that since he’s a horse that has always lived stabled and alone he thrives in quieter environments where he doesn’t have to fight for food or company.

Keeping him with his friend would be the best I just hope we can manage him in the right way…

[OverandOnward]

It could be that you have an adaptable horse – temperamentally, not his feet, though.

A horse that gets along with a herd (30 is a lot) and thrives in a barn setting is a treasure. You have options, whatever he most needs at any moment in time.

He is very lucky to have an owner who pays such close attention to his welfare and demeanor.

[maddyiy]

He’s literally such an angel 🥹. He stays right were you want him and is so polite with everything even to his own expense.
Unfortunately he has also health issues so I still stress constantly ahahah.

The good news is that the new farrier came out today, and to my surprise he was pretty sound when I watched him trot after.
He didn’t do anything for the hinds so I’ll try to talk with the trimmer that comes on thursday.

I still have a little hope left that maybe with some help and time and boots in the future he can be barefoot behind. But I’ll try and be very mindful of changes in him that can be red flags for his soundness.