How much exercise for a lame horse?

fmjones10 · 07-30-2007, 12:38 PM

Dutchess has been lame from an old injury that happened before I bought her. The ferrier has put a pad on that foot to try to help with more hoof growth and I have also been giving her some vitamans with Bioton in it. My concern is though is she s gaining weight which in the beginning she needed to, but now she is getting a hay belly. So my question is how much can I do with her. She shows a limp in a walk and it really bothers her. I'm not sure if she will ever be able to have more use of it or not. It seems like since I bought her she has been getting worse with it. She has had some more growth though since the farrier put on the pad and we started the vitamins. So i'm just trying to wait and see how things go for her, but not sure what to do with her mean while. If any one has any other ideas on how to get her to grow more hoof or what I can do with her mean while, I would greatly appreciate the suggestions. Thanks Melissa

first day with pad

bottom on first day

This was about 2 weeks ago

#1A · 07-30-2007, 12:52 PM

You haven't actually said what's wrong with her. Could you be more specific?
As to how much work, my safest answer would have to be, "none!"
Are we talking about possible navicular disease here, or is this undoubtedly an injury? It just looks a bit suspect with those upright contracted feet, and the pads.
It would really help if you would elaborate a bit.

JBandRio · 07-30-2007, 01:43 PM

What exactly was the injury? I'm guessing from the looks of things it was some sort of slice down through the foot?

Have xrays been taken?

I LUV BESS · 07-30-2007, 01:45 PM

as for the work... i would say none...

i dont know where you are, but Cornacressin is fantastic, and made rio's hooves grow really fast...

good luck!

fmjones10 · 07-30-2007, 07:29 PM

I was told after I bought her that she had gotten into barb wire right around the ring bone, last fall and they didn't take care of it right away. I didn't have her x-rayed because the vet said they it looked like there was some calcium build up and that it could get worse and if we got an x-ray that is all it would show. Now i'm thinking I just should of got it done, just to be sure of what it actually showed. I have only owned her for about 3 months now. I am a new horse owner, this is my second horse. I am not very educated about horses but i'm trying to learn. I only want what is best for her, so she can heal and feel better. She is a great horse and I really enjoy her, but i'm just not sure if there are other things I can do for her. Thanks Melissa

RickB. · 07-31-2007, 03:12 AM

Why did you buy a lame horse? why did you buy a horse without first having a Pre-purchase Exam done?

Quote:

Originally Posted by fmjones10

I was told after I bought her that she had gotten into barb wire right around the ring bone,

There is no such bone.

Radiographs may be helpful, but considering the situation, only as a part of a full lameness evaluation.

As far as exercise goes, she should be allowed access to a paddock where she can choose for herself, what level of movement/exercise she wants. Until you know the precise cause of the lameness, she should not be ridden or lunged or made to do any form of forced exercise.

The sad reality is that you bought damaged goods. How damaged and whether or not the damage can be overcome, remains to be seen.

tbtrainer · 07-31-2007, 05:37 AM

I'm wondering if the joint is in the process of fusing? If that is the case, I have seen horses that were quite sound after their joints fused, but have limited mobility...

I would go ahead with digital xrays, just to see what your dealing with rather than guessing.

tbtrainer · 07-31-2007, 05:40 AM

By the way, I do see the slice that JB is talking about... not sure what that has to do with your vet saying there might be calcification of a joint... I guess we need more info!

fmjones10 · 07-31-2007, 09:40 PM

Ok guys I know I bought the horse all the wrong way, but nothing I can do about that now, but learn from it and go on. She wasn't limping when I purchased her, until a couple days later. I trusted the people I bought her from and took there word. She wasn't as bad at first either, then after about a month she got worse. I learned from my mistake and believe me I won't purchase another horse without a vet exam, and a educated horse person. I will contact the vet and have an x-ray done just to confirm what he has said, and that way there isn't any guessing to be done. Thank you for your suggestions. Melissa

dana k · 07-31-2007, 10:26 PM

My suggestion to you is too start feeding her a joint supplement.

The interior of a horses hoof is made up almost entirely of cartiledge, tendons, soft tissue, etc. Basically- the same stuff joints are made of. If she does have damamge to those sensitive tissues, a joint supplement will provide her with the essential ingredients for healing. ...The only thing biotin does is help the outer hoof wall grow faster.

One joint supplement I love and use is Majesty Flex Wafers. The one without HA is only about $16.00 per month and has generous doses of all your popular joint medications. And it's super easy to feed just as a treat! I'd start her on two a day the first month and then go to one a day.

The other thing you may want to do is get a second farrier's opinion... especially if the condition is worsening. You may want to wait until you have x-rays in hand to show the farrier. I'm wondering if the shoes/pad that are on her could be aggrevating her condition... putting pressure on a sensitive area at all times... If this seems likely to you- there is a product out there called Sole Mates. They are a cushioned pad that you literally duct tape to the hoof and walk the horse for about 20 minutes a day... or less if she's not up to 20 minutes. They stimulate the structures of the hoof and encourage proper growth- not only of the external structures, but also the internal. I don't know your horses weight, but if she's very tender I'd go with the 4 pound pads. Here's a link to where you can purchase them: IAEP Hoof Care Products

Sorry about rambling on... But I do hope she turns around for you- I'm always happy to see someone like yourself take the chance on an underdog! It's so rewarding when it all works out.
Good luck...and keep me posted on the outcome!

07-30-2007, 01:43 PM	#3
JBandRio Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NC Posts: 22,472 Images: 138 Blog Entries: 12	What exactly was the injury? I'm guessing from the looks of things it was some sort of slice down through the foot? Have xrays been taken? __________________ - 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

07-30-2007, 01:45 PM	#4
I LUV BESS Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: uhhh... i think its somewhere called england lol Posts: 8,338 Images: 336	as for the work... i would say none... i dont know where you are, but Cornacressin is fantastic, and made rio's hooves grow really fast... good luck! __________________ *♥Lepicure♥ ~Danielle~ ♥Pure Chance♥* ~♥~ Member of the eventing club ~♥~

07-31-2007, 05:37 AM	#7
tbtrainer Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 6,171 Images: 346	I'm wondering if the joint is in the process of fusing? If that is the case, I have seen horses that were quite sound after their joints fused, but have limited mobility... I would go ahead with digital xrays, just to see what your dealing with rather than guessing. __________________ Join the HGS prayer Chain! Just copy and paste this as your signature and say a little prayer for one of your HGS friends! $$Proud Member of the Thoroughbred Club$$ "I've been Goosed!" *In my experience, the best way to slow down a runaway horse is to bet on it...*

07-31-2007, 05:40 AM	#8
tbtrainer Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 6,171 Images: 346	By the way, I do see the slice that JB is talking about... not sure what that has to do with your vet saying there might be calcification of a joint... I guess we need more info! __________________ Join the HGS prayer Chain! Just copy and paste this as your signature and say a little prayer for one of your HGS friends! $$Proud Member of the Thoroughbred Club$$ "I've been Goosed!" *In my experience, the best way to slow down a runaway horse is to bet on it...*

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07-30-2007, 12:38 PM	#1
fmjones10 Full Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 39 Images: 61 Blog Entries: 57	How much exercise for a lame horse? Dutchess has been lame from an old injury that happened before I bought her. The ferrier has put a pad on that foot to try to help with more hoof growth and I have also been giving her some vitamans with Bioton in it. My concern is though is she s gaining weight which in the beginning she needed to, but now she is getting a hay belly. So my question is how much can I do with her. She shows a limp in a walk and it really bothers her. I'm not sure if she will ever be able to have more use of it or not. It seems like since I bought her she has been getting worse with it. She has had some more growth though since the farrier put on the pad and we started the vitamins. So i'm just trying to wait and see how things go for her, but not sure what to do with her mean while. If any one has any other ideas on how to get her to grow more hoof or what I can do with her mean while, I would greatly appreciate the suggestions. Thanks Melissa first day with pad bottom on first day This was about 2 weeks ago

07-30-2007, 12:52 PM	#2
#1A Senior Member+ Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: South Africa Posts: 307	You haven't actually said what's wrong with her. Could you be more specific? As to how much work, my safest answer would have to be, "none!" Are we talking about possible navicular disease here, or is this undoubtedly an injury? It just looks a bit suspect with those upright contracted feet, and the pads. It would really help if you would elaborate a bit.

07-30-2007, 07:29 PM	#5
fmjones10 Full Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 39 Images: 61 Blog Entries: 57	I was told after I bought her that she had gotten into barb wire right around the ring bone, last fall and they didn't take care of it right away. I didn't have her x-rayed because the vet said they it looked like there was some calcium build up and that it could get worse and if we got an x-ray that is all it would show. Now i'm thinking I just should of got it done, just to be sure of what it actually showed. I have only owned her for about 3 months now. I am a new horse owner, this is my second horse. I am not very educated about horses but i'm trying to learn. I only want what is best for her, so she can heal and feel better. She is a great horse and I really enjoy her, but i'm just not sure if there are other things I can do for her. Thanks Melissa

07-31-2007, 09:40 PM	#9
fmjones10 Full Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 39 Images: 61 Blog Entries: 57	Ok guys I know I bought the horse all the wrong way, but nothing I can do about that now, but learn from it and go on. She wasn't limping when I purchased her, until a couple days later. I trusted the people I bought her from and took there word. She wasn't as bad at first either, then after about a month she got worse. I learned from my mistake and believe me I won't purchase another horse without a vet exam, and a educated horse person. I will contact the vet and have an x-ray done just to confirm what he has said, and that way there isn't any guessing to be done. Thank you for your suggestions. Melissa

07-31-2007, 10:26 PM	#10
dana k Full Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 31	My suggestion to you is too start feeding her a joint supplement. The interior of a horses hoof is made up almost entirely of cartiledge, tendons, soft tissue, etc. Basically- the same stuff joints are made of. If she does have damamge to those sensitive tissues, a joint supplement will provide her with the essential ingredients for healing. ...The only thing biotin does is help the outer hoof wall grow faster. One joint supplement I love and use is Majesty Flex Wafers. The one without HA is only about $16.00 per month and has generous doses of all your popular joint medications. And it's super easy to feed just as a treat! I'd start her on two a day the first month and then go to one a day. The other thing you may want to do is get a second farrier's opinion... especially if the condition is worsening. You may want to wait until you have x-rays in hand to show the farrier. I'm wondering if the shoes/pad that are on her could be aggrevating her condition... putting pressure on a sensitive area at all times... If this seems likely to you- there is a product out there called Sole Mates. They are a cushioned pad that you literally duct tape to the hoof and walk the horse for about 20 minutes a day... or less if she's not up to 20 minutes. They stimulate the structures of the hoof and encourage proper growth- not only of the external structures, but also the internal. I don't know your horses weight, but if she's very tender I'd go with the 4 pound pads. Here's a link to where you can purchase them: IAEP Hoof Care Products Sorry about rambling on... But I do hope she turns around for you- I'm always happy to see someone like yourself take the chance on an underdog! It's so rewarding when it all works out. Good luck...and keep me posted on the outcome!