Sore hoof after trimming?

Question

My 17 yr old gelding got his feet trimmed 4 days ago, the farrier trimmed his front left hoof too short and is still sore today, none of the other hoofs are sore. He limps lightly at a trot and canter. Every time he gets his hoofs trimmed he is sore for about 1-2 weeks. I have a playday coming up in 10 days. Would it hurt him to ride while he's still sore? Is there any way i can get the soreness out of his hoof in less than 10 days?

Answer 1

I'd say its time for a new farrier. >:/

Answer 2

Unfortunately there is not much you can do to get the soreness out in less than ten days, as the short hoof needs to grow in a little bit. You can medicate him with a mild anti-inflammatory drug like Traumeel (I wouldn't use bute in this case) to make him more comfortable, but you need to give him time for the hoof to grow out. Image that you cut your big toenails too short and are walking on your tiptoes all day. In the end, he's just going to need time for the problem to resolve itself.

As far as your playdate goes... take it day by day and see how he goes. He might be fine in time for your ride, but if he isn't you aren't doing him any favors by riding him sore. Riding a horse that is obviously uncomfortable is at the very least unpleasent for the rider and you can risk him going lame for an extended period. He can be riden, but you need to work him carefully and if you see that he's uncomfortable or in pain, ease up on him.

Now as for the farrier... it's not unusual for the occasional bout of hoof sensativity after being trimmed, but if this is a regular occurance than you have a real problem that may or may not be the fault of the farrier. Some horses have naturally very sensative feet and no matter how careful the farrier is, they are always a bit sore after being trimmed. I don't know if that is the case with your gelding, but you did mention that at least on this occasion, he had a hoof trimmed too shortly. Point this out to the farrier and when your horse is being trimmed next, ask the farrier to leave a bit more on that hoof.

It might just be that if your horse has sensative feet, that you expect a short period of tenderness after the farrier and don't plan any serious work for your horse for at least two weeks after a trimming to give him time to recover. Or if the farrier keeps trimming the feet too short, find yourself a new farrier.

Answer 3

You didn't say whether he has shoes on or not, I'm just curious if he just trimmed him or if he put shoes on him.  Yes, there is something that someone can do but I don't know how old you are or how experienced you are and you need someone experienced to do this, but it will make him walk off sound...then you stay off of him for a couple of days and he should be ok, whether he has shoes on or not.  You may email me privately, so that I know that you are someone that can follow through with what I tell you and we will go from there.  It's not a big secret, I'm just not going to encourage someone that is not an adult or have access to an adult horse person to do something beyond their capabilities.  If nothing else, you may have to sit this one out.  One more thing, I agree, get another farrier, this shouldn't be happening...it happens to all farriers once in a while, but not all the time and not to all farriers.

Answer 4

If he is sore every time he is trimmed, you need a new farrier....there is nothing normal about this.  Sore means pain, so you would be riding him when he is in pain.  If the cause of the pain is due to overtrimming, I would think a boot would help him until the hoof grows out again.

Answer 5

I think the product is called Tuff Hoof, or something along those lines.  You paint it on the horse's foot (sole, frog, and the wall), and it helps toughen it up a bit.  That would be worth trying.  Also, if you know your horse gets sore from trimming, tell your farrier to leave him a little bit longer from now on.  We have a horse that gets sore if trimmed like all the others, so the farrier just takes a little bit less off, and there's no problem.

If you ride your horse while he's sore, he won't get better.  Treat the problem, and talk to your shoer so it doesn't happen again.

Answer 6

if hes always sore after trimming you either have a big problem, or a bad farrier.  My horse gets shod and then rides for an hours worth of training..

How often do you get him shod? every 6 weeks, or 8?

I personally would look into other farriers in your area as what your horse is doing is not normal.

Second, i would take it easy on him for as long as you can, and then check him a day or two before the play day, if hes sound, ride.. if not you must cancel.

Answer 7

well if its too short then it needs to grow out a little and it should be fine.. see how he is progressing. if he is still lame in that leg than cancel your playday.

Answer 8

Get a new farrier - now. A farrier that trims a horse too short is an accident waiting to happen. You shouldn't EVER have a sore horse after trimming - and the fact that only ONE of his hooves is sore - means that he probably trimmed that too short - and didn't make the hooves even. Soreness can last a lifetime if done by a poor farrier. As the saying goes kNOw Hoof, kNOw Horse. There is no remedy for your sore horse - other than either paying money for a new farrier to come out there and possibly putting pads on his front feet until they grow out and no longer need pads, or give him time off to regrow the hoof until he's no longer sore.

And yes, it would hurt him badly to ride him when he's sore. He will undoubtedly harm another part of his body trying to keep the weight of not only himself - but all your tack and yourself off of his hurt foot.

Answer 9

My horse goes sore on his fronts if he is trimmed back too far or if the ground is hard like in summer when its dry. The easiest way to fix this is to shoe him to lift his toe up and take the pressure off, if you do this a.s.a.p. he would be back to normal in 24  - 36 hours.  Until he stops being sore and grows a little hoof back you should stop riding him as he will only get sorer and sorer plus you will be wearing away more of his hoof ( it would be similar to you cutting back your nails too far and then constantly filing them ) You would probably also notice that he is short stepping and trying to find the softest ground to walk on as it would be extremely painful for him.

Wishing your horse well and good luck in your playday

Answer 10

just go a little easy on him!

he will get better soon (:

Answer 11

If he's favoring the foot that is sore, I'd be worried about the other legs that are taking on the additional stress. He may be perfectly fine in 10 days. Maybe a couple days of rest would do wonders.

Answer 12

If this is happening EVERY time you have him trimmed, then your farrier's trimming him WAY TOO SHORT.  I'm assuming that you've told him that he's sore each time and hasn't tried to change anything.  Time to find a new shoer who can trim him without him getting sore.

I wouldn't ride him again until he's travelling sound.

Answer 13

Give him 2 doses of bute the first day you use it. After that, only give him 1 dose of bute until your playday. This should help alot with the pain. Just make sure if you DO ride before then, make sure its extremely light riding. No jumping or anything until he starts to show hes not as sore, even then, don't all of a sudden ride him hard. This could bring his soreness back, and it could turn into another more serious problem. Call your vet and ask to pick up some bute. You can get bute in a paste or pills. You would have to crush up the pills and mix with his feed. But i reccomend the paste, since its less trouble and you just would squirt in his mouth as if it was a wormer. Hope this helps! Feel free to email me if you would like any other advice! <3