[SuZQuzie]

My TB mare is barefoot in back, but has hi low in front. When we got her, she was just shod normally on both feet, but that was putting her way off balance, so we used a pad to raise the heel on the lower side to even things out.

What are the other possibilities in correcting this? Can you make them even? Would she ever be able to go barefoot? (More of a hypothetical question since she jumps I doubt I actually would want her barefoot)

Right front (the "low" one)


Left front (the "high" one)

*she has a cut along the cornet band on this hoof - we are treating it & it seems to be healing nicely, so no worries*

[JBandRio]

What you do depends on why she's high/low at this moment. Many horses tend to have one foot that is a little steeper/flatter than the other. The trouble often comes when the feet are either trimmed to match, or the trim isn't done with keeping the higher heel down where it should be and/or the "lower" heel where it should be.

Pictures are really necessary to talk further.

[Sue B]

Ya...what JB said...I think LOL

Yes, there is no reason why this horse couldn't go barefoot...unless there is some underlying pathological reason that keeps her from doing so. In fact, this may help correct the issue as she may begin to wear her feet more evenly.

But, like JB said...it would depend on why she is this way.

IMO, the objective with a case like this shouldn't be to balance the horse, but to balance each foot.

[SuZQuzie]

Remember, I'm not the farrier, I just pay the bill. But I like the guy I have now alot. I notice a positive difference in how both of my horses go with his shoeing versus the slap job the guy I used to have did. (Both of their medial lateral aligned were WAY off.)

Pictures coming...

[SuZQuzie]

Ok, the pictures are here, so I'm bumping this up for JB & SueB (& anyone else that cares to add).

[JBandRio]

Looked at the pictures - oh dear...

I'm sorry, but these feet are unacceptable

LF - high heel, long toe that is clearly flaring. While this foot might always be a little more upright than the RF, it's current state is not where it should be. The front view shows VERY straight side walls. When viewed from the front, the walls should slope evenly away from the coronet band. This picture shows straight walls. It might just be the angle, but even worse, it shows the inside wall curved outward a small bit, as if the wall is TRYING to have a normal slope, but the shoes are too small and never allow it to expand properly. The rear view tends to agree with that outward curve.

RF - yikes. Very crushed underrun heel, likely been made worse by the wedge (how long has that been on?), and there appears to be a bullnose going on, indicating a backward tilted coffin bone (not a good thing). It's possible it just looks bullnosed because the toe was rasped back in such a strange manner, but not likely. The front view shows flaring starting about 2/3 up the foot, and an inside wall that is higher than the outside wall.

Not pretty feet at all, sorry

[SuZQuzie]

Okay, yes I know her feet aren't good. (Luckily Yeager has some great feet... :crosses fingers: )

How can we fix it?

The wedge has been there for three years.

Oh deary... I really appreciate your help.

[3WishesDun]

Originally Posted by JBandRio

Looked at the pictures - oh dear...

I'm sorry, but these feet are unacceptable

LF - high heel, long toe that is clearly flaring. While this foot might always be a little more upright than the RF, it's current state is not where it should be. The front view shows VERY straight side walls. When viewed from the front, the walls should slope evenly away from the coronet band. This picture shows straight walls. It might just be the angle, but even worse, it shows the inside wall curved outward a small bit, as if the wall is TRYING to have a normal slope, but the shoes are too small and never allow it to expand properly. The rear view tends to agree with that outward curve.

RF - yikes. Very crushed underrun heel, likely been made worse by the wedge (how long has that been on?), and there appears to be a bullnose going on, indicating a backward tilted coffin bone (not a good thing). It's possible it just looks bullnosed because the toe was rasped back in such a strange manner, but not likely. The front view shows flaring starting about 2/3 up the foot, and an inside wall that is higher than the outside wall.

Not pretty feet at all, sorry

I agree with JBR. My first thought about the right front was that it might have a negative coffin bone angle.
Have you had any recent xrays of her hooves?

[SuZQuzie]

Oh, & wanted to add that my farrier is a great guy & very willing to listen & try to correct any problems by different methods as needed.

[SuZQuzie]

Originally Posted by 3WishesDun

I agree with JBR. My first thought about the right front was that it might have a negative coffin bone angle.
Have you had any recent xrays of her hooves?

Nope, do you think we should?