Bringing a horse BACK into work

Friesiangirl · 09-23-2007, 06:50 PM

I've decided to basically just hand walk stormy, concentrate on getting him sound, which it appears his feet may be a part of it. I had a farrier out who boards at my barn just to look and she was pretty upset with how his feet were. She explained he has two different angles on the front feet, which could be causing his lameness.

So, off that topic. In 3-5 weeks from now, maybe a little shorter or longer, I will be bringing him back into work.

How should I approach this? On a 4 days a week basis?

I know lots of walking and flexing, but what else? I want to do this right this time around

RememberTheName · 09-23-2007, 07:34 PM

Hmm... well if his feet are causing the lameness, than one of the first things is to try and find an arena that his feet seem more or less comfortable in. The next I'd suggest is either round penning or lunging him. Because if his feet are the problem, you'll probably want to try and get him to carry himself as nicely as you can before getting on him. If they carry themselves well, it usually helps with lameness. The next thing is to really be consistant. Even if it's only four days a week, try to come up with some kind of schedule. But most importantly, if he has lameness issues, don't expect too much of him, and if in doubt about how he's doing, don't work him. Another thing is, do you feed him bute? My horse was lame because of foot injuries for a while a couple weeks ago, and he got bute everyday. That seemed to perk him up a lot while he was recovering.

Friesiangirl · 09-23-2007, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stoneys_Kat

Hmm... well if his feet are causing the lameness, than one of the first things is to try and find an arena that his feet seem more or less comfortable in. The next I'd suggest is either round penning or lunging him. Because if his feet are the problem, you'll probably want to try and get him to carry himself as nicely as you can before getting on him. If they carry themselves well, it usually helps with lameness. The next thing is to really be consistant. Even if it's only four days a week, try to come up with some kind of schedule. But most importantly, if he has lameness issues, don't expect too much of him, and if in doubt about how he's doing, don't work him. Another thing is, do you feed him bute? My horse was lame because of foot injuries for a while a couple weeks ago, and he got bute everyday. That seemed to perk him up a lot while he was recovering.

He is barely lame i should restate.

He seems to be having a muscle/upper left leg problem due to having bad angles. On that leg he has underun heels and long toe. He has no strong limp unless he does something strenous.

I refuse to feed bute in this type of situation, it can do more harm than good if he is barely lame, still able to run around like an idiot.

However, I won't be working him again untill he is almost 100% sound. I understand his feet won't be perfect after on trim, it may take up to a year or so to have him in the right spot. However, just weeks ago, he was jumping, and even schooled x-country and was completly sound.

Thanks for the imput. I don't really think I will round pen much as our round pens are too small IMHO at my barn, however, I did think ground driving would be an option to promote good self carriage without a rider as well as giving him the exercise of walking and troting.

Hayley

JKetsche · 09-23-2007, 09:58 PM

NO BUTE!! It'll mask pain and you risk further injuring the horse. You also don't want to lunge a horse that's been out of work--you risk a further injury.

First, do as much hand walking as the vet allows and turn him out if possible. Once the vet clears you to ride him, start out walking him (mostly straight or large turns) for about 20 minutes every other day. Increase that time and frequency. Slowly add short trot sets (start with a minute, up the length of the trots and shorten the walks gradually). Gradually up the trot sets to where you can do 40 minutes of mostly trot with short walks. If you have hills, use them from day one (I know you don't really, but just in principle). I usually take 6 weeks after a layoff before I really start cantering, much less jumping or doing serious dressage. You can use the time to build your own strength (do lots of two-point, some no stirrup work, work on your equitation, improve responsiveness, and once you get further along you can do some lengthening and shortening strides.

Good luck and be patient!

RememberTheName · 09-23-2007, 09:59 PM

Have you ever thought about putting boots (like Macboots, or something like that) on him? I don't know if it might help or not with angles, but I think it's a possibility since it would offer him a flat surface to walk on.

Friesiangirl · 09-23-2007, 10:01 PM

Thanks jketche! Very helpful!

I'm so glad this new farrier took a look at him. She was very helpful in explaining how that low heel could be causing his tendons and up in his shoulder to be overly stressed. She told me it can easily be corrected in 3-6 trims. She won't do anything dirastic like some farriers... she takes everything gradual.

Thanks a bunch

Friesiangirl · 09-23-2007, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stoneys_Kat

Have you ever thought about putting boots (like Macboots, or something like that) on him? I don't know if it might help or not with angles, but I think it's a possibility since it would offer him a flat surface to walk on.

I don't think that will help. He has a flat surface, but it's like he has two different feet. One with low heels, one with high heels.

You can *kinda* see it here. Flaring on the left front, as well.

My farrier has been super busy and hasn't been able to come out and is now ignoring my calls, so i've been forced to switch.

JBandRio · 09-24-2007, 04:47 AM

Can you get some good pictures of his feet?

It's impossible to see what his feet look like regarding toes/heels, but it's obvious they are not balanced by the say the coronet band curves upward.

Dawn · 09-24-2007, 05:52 AM

I will agree that he does have some issues with his feet, but I would concentrate first on determining if that is the cause of his lameness before worrying too much about bringing him into work. As the cause of lameness will determine what you do.

Friesiangirl · 09-24-2007, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBandRio

Can you get some good pictures of his feet?

It's impossible to see what his feet look like regarding toes/heels, but it's obvious they are not balanced by the say the coronet band curves upward.

Sure thing! It may take a few days depending on when I go out to the barn but I will.

09-23-2007, 06:50 PM	#1
Friesiangirl Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Monroe, OR Posts: 9,547 Images: 192 Blog Entries: 22	Bringing a horse BACK into work I've decided to basically just hand walk stormy, concentrate on getting him sound, which it appears his feet may be a part of it. I had a farrier out who boards at my barn just to look and she was pretty upset with how his feet were. She explained he has two different angles on the front feet, which could be causing his lameness. So, off that topic. In 3-5 weeks from now, maybe a little shorter or longer, I will be bringing him back into work. How should I approach this? On a 4 days a week basis? I know lots of walking and flexing, but what else? I want to do this right this time around __________________ *Life is like cheese and fine wine- it gets better everyday!* Le Concurs Complet, C'est ma countre-drogue

09-23-2007, 09:58 PM	#4
JKetsche Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Oregon, USA Posts: 1,853 Images: 3	NO BUTE!! It'll mask pain and you risk further injuring the horse. You also don't want to lunge a horse that's been out of work--you risk a further injury. First, do as much hand walking as the vet allows and turn him out if possible. Once the vet clears you to ride him, start out walking him (mostly straight or large turns) for about 20 minutes every other day. Increase that time and frequency. Slowly add short trot sets (start with a minute, up the length of the trots and shorten the walks gradually). Gradually up the trot sets to where you can do 40 minutes of mostly trot with short walks. If you have hills, use them from day one (I know you don't really, but just in principle). I usually take 6 weeks after a layoff before I really start cantering, much less jumping or doing serious dressage. You can use the time to build your own strength (do lots of two-point, some no stirrup work, work on your equitation, improve responsiveness, and once you get further along you can do some lengthening and shortening strides. Good luck and be patient! __________________ "Please contact the Administrator if your date of birth has changed."

09-23-2007, 10:01 PM	#6
Friesiangirl Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Monroe, OR Posts: 9,547 Images: 192 Blog Entries: 22	Thanks jketche! Very helpful! I'm so glad this new farrier took a look at him. She was very helpful in explaining how that low heel could be causing his tendons and up in his shoulder to be overly stressed. She told me it can easily be corrected in 3-6 trims. She won't do anything dirastic like some farriers... she takes everything gradual. Thanks a bunch __________________ *Life is like cheese and fine wine- it gets better everyday!* Le Concurs Complet, C'est ma countre-drogue

09-24-2007, 04:47 AM	#8
JBandRio Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NC Posts: 23,440 Images: 143 Blog Entries: 12	Can you get some good pictures of his feet? It's impossible to see what his feet look like regarding toes/heels, but it's obvious they are not balanced by the say the coronet band curves upward. __________________ - JB Acres, owned and operated by Dynamite animals. - It's a wonder horses as a whole don't just kill us all and be done with their misery. - Keep your voice soothing and low - even when things get western (buck1173) - Rio feels good - he bounced an in-and-out

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09-23-2007, 07:34 PM	#2
RememberTheName Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: In your basement... Posts: 480 Images: 1 Blog Entries: 1	Hmm... well if his feet are causing the lameness, than one of the first things is to try and find an arena that his feet seem more or less comfortable in. The next I'd suggest is either round penning or lunging him. Because if his feet are the problem, you'll probably want to try and get him to carry himself as nicely as you can before getting on him. If they carry themselves well, it usually helps with lameness. The next thing is to really be consistant. Even if it's only four days a week, try to come up with some kind of schedule. But most importantly, if he has lameness issues, don't expect too much of him, and if in doubt about how he's doing, don't work him. Another thing is, do you feed him bute? My horse was lame because of foot injuries for a while a couple weeks ago, and he got bute everyday. That seemed to perk him up a lot while he was recovering.

09-23-2007, 09:59 PM	#5
RememberTheName Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: In your basement... Posts: 480 Images: 1 Blog Entries: 1	Have you ever thought about putting boots (like Macboots, or something like that) on him? I don't know if it might help or not with angles, but I think it's a possibility since it would offer him a flat surface to walk on.

09-24-2007, 05:52 AM	#9
Dawn Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 31,292 Images: 1386	I will agree that he does have some issues with his feet, but I would concentrate first on determining if that is the cause of his lameness before worrying too much about bringing him into work. As the cause of lameness will determine what you do.