How should i help my lame horse?

Question

my horse seems lame but its not his tendons its just his off fore. he has never been lame before in the 3 years ive owned him, i took off all his shoes recently and ive never done this before( normally just the back two come off during the summer) could it be possible that he is just adapting to having no shoes. or what should i do to get him better? thank you

ok just up at him there- hes grand on hard ground,no signs at all in his feet look every healthy, but lunging (on left rein only) he seems sore - does the head nod. going to ring farrier in the morning, after that maybe chiro?

Answer 1

Hold each joint flexed for a minute and then trot him out to see where it is.

Answer 2

If he isn't very lame watch him. it could be as simple as a bruise or thin sole. If it were just adjusting to bare feet it would probably be both fronts and not bother him long a day or two at most. Did his previous owners give him any barefoot time? It usually promotes healthier feet some horses have just had shoes too long to adjust well (10 yrs or more of shoes!) One less thought of problem is a sole not trim enough that extends lower than the wall causing pressure when he bears down. If your next farrier appointment is coming up and he gets no worse you may wait and mention it, if it's a big worry call and leave a message that he's been lame. State first time shoes off, lame XX days, how lame. Let them know you want a advice before an appointment or vet call. Leave another message after two days if nessecary. Most farriers can ask a few questions and know the problem and cure. As a farrier myself I'd guess he stepped on something and got a little sore but I don't have all the info to be sure. I can also say that I (and every other farrier I know) am very hard to catch Call call call again I never get made I just don't remember I'm supposed to call till midnight. Good luck

Answer 3

How recently did you take the shoes off? In the long run, takeing them off can do wonders. (I've seen it happen many, many times) But there is an adjustment period, depending on how bad his feet were when the shoes came off, how long he wore shoes, ect.

Is he lame from the foot? how lame is he? Its possible he got a bruise because his feet aren't hardened yet, so unless he looks really uncomfortable or there is somthing else wrong with the leg, I would continue to turn him out as normal (read as much as possible.)

Since this is your first time going barefoot, you should know that for maximum benifit the horse should be moving as much as possible, about 10 miles a day, minimum. He'll get most of that in turn out. In fact, 10 miles isn't that far... at a walk/ trot I go 5 miles in an hour. Also be sure that your farrier has experiance trimming barefoot horses. Barefoot trims are not the same trim as if you were ready to nail a shoe on.

This is a good site if you want to know more about what to expect when your horse getts his shoes pulled. http://www.barefoothorse.com/

Answer 4

Hey girl - I TOTALLY empathise with you - I actually have a question posted on here as well trying to get an idea of whats wrong with my mare - she has teh exact same symptons as your horse - shes been xrayed - nothing showed, tendons not the problem or any of the usual like laminitas etcetc
Like your horse shes also only lame on her right rein, sound as a bell on the left - Id tried a few vets, none of which could diagnose the problem but I had a new one take a look yesterday and he called it muscular paralysis.
Apparently its like a strain of the muscle - he recommended taking her shoes off and giving her 6 months rest at grass, preferably on flat ground.
It sounds like your horse could have the same thing.
Like you my mare was never lame before in her life - it literally came over night.
Maybe you should ask your vet if he thinks it could be something similar?

Answer 5

Get the farrier to check him out, may be foot sore espeically if you have stony ground there, if you have just removed his shoes. He shouldn't be showing any signs of lameness at all from just having his shoes removed. But, until your farrier has checked him out and then the vet if there is no foot problem, don't work him at all - no riding, no lungeing. if it's not a foot problem then sounds like it's a leg problem, maybe a kick or something, have you checked his hooves for heat in them? Will he let you pick them all up? Have you checked his legs for swelling/cuts/bite marks etc?

Farrier then vet

Answer 6

Call the vet, don't ride him, and for exercise take him on easy walks out in a pasture. But, don't let him near other horses and keep him calm, getting spooked could hurt him more. I'd leave the shoes off, but don't let him on gravel, cement, asphalt, or turf. Only grass and sof durt. How would you like to be dragged around with a sprained ankle?

Answer 7

If there are no signs of problems in his foot or leg, and if the ground is hard, get his shoulder checked out. Rest and soft ground are the only things you can do in the meantime.

Answer 8

sorry to see that your pal is lame. i really think you should seek professional advice sweetheart, no real point in playing guessing games when they can tell you for sure eh? it would save you and your horse a lot of grief wouldn't it? time can be of the essence, so try and get it seen too sooner rather than later .. try and let us know how you and your pal get on, wishing you the best of luck, nice to see that you care darlin' bye for now..........

Answer 9

grounds been really hard recently could be bruising or maybe an absess.can you smell anything? Dont rush calling vet save your money.turn him out and keep a close eye on him.

Answer 10

You might need to have his feet trimmed or there is a soft spot in the foot. If that does not help a vet.

Answer 11

Take you lame horse to the vet.