advice for Sweeties next farrier visit

dodib · 05-29-2008, 10:12 AM

Well the farrier comes out again tomorrow-- trying to decide what to do with Sweetie--she currently has wedge shoes on--
If you remember earlier posts on her on again off again lameness issues...
Anyway between vet and farrier and us I really think the lameness is her shoulder not the foot(vet says she has bursitis in it)--although the vet insists the club foot contributes to the shoulder issue. anyway the wedge shoes are very expensive and seem to not really help at all--she was always barefoot before. I am thinking of just getting them pulled and getting a barefoot trim done on her again. He always shortens the toe of the club foot and rolls it so there is faster breakover etc....and leaves that heel slightly longer
What is your opinions on this? If they aren't helping her or seem to be why have them on-- and she looks so tippy toed right now that cannot be comfortable(heel seems to grow faster with them on)

oveywon · 05-29-2008, 10:15 AM

Whenever I hear "wedge shoe" I think of the 9 degree wedge they put my horse in after surgery and left on for 4 weeks. Do you mean a wedged heel?
I have a great deal of personal experience to give you on a high wedge left on for a long period.

dodib · 05-29-2008, 10:42 AM

Yes its the heel that is wedged...........
I can't help but to think of what high heels do to me and its not a good feeling

oveywon · 05-29-2008, 11:06 AM

My horse had a really serious nail penetration. The surgery they did or something during the recovery process cause really severe inflammation in the whole suspensory/tendon system. After a second a surgery and hospital stay..they put him on a 9 degree wedge which appeared to allow him to stand/walk/weight himself without pain.

In my experience, the hoof/leg/muscle/skeletal system will react to a wedge (at least of that severity) over time. The hoof will begin to contract and the horse will compensate for the wedge (it will screw him up).

In the end, I believe we did the best for my horse. He's 100% now and that's all I ever wanted. It was a terrible ordeal including 6 months of stall rest and a constant battle with subtle lameness. The only thing I've questioned in the world class health care he got...was why did they leave a 9degree wedge on him for 4 weeks. I believe a wedge should be monitored closely, progressively lowered, and pulled off at the earliest opportunity.

That is just my layman's opinion and the summation of input from many professional consultants on his case.

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05-29-2008, 10:12 AM
dodib Started Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ravenna, MI Posts: 2,568	advice for Sweeties next farrier visit Well the farrier comes out again tomorrow-- trying to decide what to do with Sweetie--she currently has wedge shoes on-- If you remember earlier posts on her on again off again lameness issues... Anyway between vet and farrier and us I really think the lameness is her shoulder not the foot(vet says she has bursitis in it)--although the vet insists the club foot contributes to the shoulder issue. anyway the wedge shoes are very expensive and seem to not really help at all--she was always barefoot before. I am thinking of just getting them pulled and getting a barefoot trim done on her again. He always shortens the toe of the club foot and rolls it so there is faster breakover etc....and leaves that heel slightly longer What is your opinions on this? If they aren't helping her or seem to be why have them on-- and she looks so tippy toed right now that cannot be comfortable(heel seems to grow faster with them on) __________________ Dorthy www.freewebs.com/brownranch/

05-29-2008, 10:15 AM
oveywon Started Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,005	Whenever I hear "wedge shoe" I think of the 9 degree wedge they put my horse in after surgery and left on for 4 weeks. Do you mean a wedged heel? I have a great deal of personal experience to give you on a high wedge left on for a long period. __________________ This Holiday Season remember ... That the place God chose for the birth of His only son was not a church, or a palace, but the home of animals - a stable.

05-29-2008, 10:42 AM
dodib Started Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ravenna, MI Posts: 2,568	Yes its the heel that is wedged........... I can't help but to think of what high heels do to me and its not a good feeling __________________ Dorthy www.freewebs.com/brownranch/ Last edited by dodib : 05-29-2008 at 10:44 AM.

05-29-2008, 11:06 AM
oveywon Started Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,005	My horse had a really serious nail penetration. The surgery they did or something during the recovery process cause really severe inflammation in the whole suspensory/tendon system. After a second a surgery and hospital stay..they put him on a 9 degree wedge which appeared to allow him to stand/walk/weight himself without pain. In my experience, the hoof/leg/muscle/skeletal system will react to a wedge (at least of that severity) over time. The hoof will begin to contract and the horse will compensate for the wedge (it will screw him up). In the end, I believe we did the best for my horse. He's 100% now and that's all I ever wanted. It was a terrible ordeal including 6 months of stall rest and a constant battle with subtle lameness. The only thing I've questioned in the world class health care he got...was why did they leave a 9degree wedge on him for 4 weeks. I believe a wedge should be monitored closely, progressively lowered, and pulled off at the earliest opportunity. That is just my layman's opinion and the summation of input from many professional consultants on his case. __________________ This Holiday Season remember ... That the place God chose for the birth of His only son was not a church, or a palace, but the home of animals - a stable.