RE: shoeing question

[guest@endurance.net]

PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO GUEST@ENDURANCE.NET!!!
You must post replies to the actual sender listed below.

From: Richard Klimesh 
Email: rklimesh@horsekeeping.com


Carol,

Hoof lameness after shoeing is usually caused either by a too thin sole,
or a "hot" or "close" nail.
With a thin sole, a horse is much more lame when walking on gravel or
rock than on concrete or hard smooth ground.  He'll usually get better
in a few days as the sole thickens and toughens.
With a "hot" nail, one that has invaded the sensitive tissue, a horse is
immediately lame and will usually let the farrier know when the nail is
driven.  A hot nail can cause infection and severe lameness for a while.

A "close" nail doesn't invade sensitive tissue but is close enough to
cause pressure.  The horse may be slightly off immediately and gradually
get better with the nail in place;  he may show immediate improvement if
the offending nail is removed.  Usually a close nail can be determined
by using hoof testers directly over each nail clinch.
Since you said "He will be dead lame 2-3 days and then will  just go
on",  it sounds like it could be a close nail or nails.
Some factory made shoes have the nail holes punched too far to the
inside of the shoe to be easily nailed to a thin walled hoof without
incurring a close nail.  You could suggest your present farrier try a
different brand or type of shoe (St. Croix full rim shoes, for
example).  Or, you might try a farrier that will hand make shoes that
are the proper length and with holes punched to fit your horse's
hooves.  Your horse deserves the best hoof care you can find.

Good Luck!  Richard

--
Richard Klimesh, AFA CJF, co-author - "Maximum Hoof Power":
http://www.webaccess.net/~cherryhillbooks/MHPbook.htm
for horse articles and tips see:
http://www.webaccess.net/~cherryhillbooks/INFOtopics.htm.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.    
Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/RideCamp   
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=