Freaking OUT!!!!!

[luv2piaffe]

Ok, so... My horse had his feet done yesterday. My mom was there with the farrier yesterday and after he was done getting his shoes on and everything they let my horse loose and he was fine. Today I went to the barn and when I took him out of his stall he was very ouchy on his front right foot. He is a big mover and he was taking very short steps with his front right, and was not compfortable!

His toes were a little long before this so I dont know if the farrier just cut too much toe off. But I am freaking out because we have regionals for dressage coming up oct 1-4, and I dont know what to do! The farrier is coming back out tomarrow to see whats going on. But my horse is on half glue on shoes, with four nails. So we might put him on the equicast shoe, but otherwise i dont know what to do!!!!

Anyone have any tips to help grow out a toe (if thats what it is), or how to make him more comfortable?

And does anyone know of a good corrective farrier, or anything because he is a very VERY special horse, who means alot to me and who could be my next FEI horse, so if anyone knows of a good farrier or some tips that would be great!

I am in the Illinois area.

Thank you!!!!

[Gayla]

First, I think it is great you are so concerned about your horse. But I think you are over reacting a bit. I know you are freaked out about your regional finals so I understand your frustration. But I feel sure the farrier will take care of it promptly. He probably just nicked him with a nail or rasped a little too much off his foot. If it is one of these things the farrier can help and it should resolve quickly. Just give it a few days. Good luck.

[Grataan]

Probably just a hot nail or stone bruise. You might try soaking it in hot water and epsom salts until you can have him seen.

[horsegirl123]

The exact same thing happened with my daughter's TB. After a week off my daughter rode him today and he was back to his old self. Don't panic. See what your farrier says and go from there.

[FindersKeepers]

I'd also guess a hot nail or a little bit of a bruise. Either situation,your farrier can help. You can give him a gram of bute to make him more comfortable while waiting. You can also soak in epsom salts as Grataan suggested. My guess though is your horse will be just fine once the farrier makes it back out.

[luv2piaffe]

Thanks!! Yeah we checked for heat and there was no heat around the nails or anywhere on the hoof. He has pour-in pads in because his soles are very sensative. I am freaking out because this happend last year where a previous farrier cut him wayyyyy too short, and he was off for a long time. He was on the equicast shoe for a long time, and just recently got the nails back in. so I just want him to get better!:((

So i am just worried and angry that this happened now, we had a really good chance of winning regionals this year, we really would have been the underdogs if we won beating out a top rider, who so many people are fed up with, and who NEEDS to be beat!

[Tap2Tango]

How about you forget about the competition and just focus on your horse? You said your horse just got the nails back in? Give him time to get use to them him. Wait for the farrier to come back out and go from there.

[gypsymare]

Probably a close nail. If they get quicked, you know right away. If they're just close it can take a day or two to show. No big deal, the farrier will just have to drive a new nail.

[Patty Stiller]

Don't panic, call the farrier back to check it out.
Most likely things are either a close nail that was not close enough to quick him but is causing a little pressure now, or a little sole pressure somewhere. Either one needs to be corrected by the farrier. Don't soak ,it softens the foot, and don't Bute, until the farrier has been there, because it covers up what the farrier needs to see.

[Eddy's Mom]

I guess if I were as worried as you, I would have the vet out. Hope everything resolves quickly, Amanda

[CosMonster]

Patty's advice was spot-on IMO. If he was sound yesterday after the shoeing and he has pads it is most likely not a bruise or a too-short trim. Let him rest and keep him on soft ground if possible until your farrier can come out. It sucks that this is happening so soon before Regionals but that's horses for you. Just once it would be nice if they would go lame when you're not planning on riding them for awhile anyway. ;)