Downer and a moan moment

[Deleted]

Having a downer moment and a moan. My little foals foot ( contracted tendon) was on the mend then all of a sudden come in and it looks 10 times worse than it did this morning.

I'm so upset I don't know what else I can do I've tried everything bar surgery.

We had a second opinion from a farrier on Thursday he said he would leave it and let it grow out and we have a well known remedial farrier coming on the 16 who's seen pictures and says it doesn't look so bad.

Maybe I'm looking at it too much just so upset and angry and have to moan about it as I don't know what else to do. She's been through so much and is only 5 months old ages been an angel. Couldn't have asked for a better patient.

Just feel like she's going to end up spoilt and have a club foot forever. Irrational fear taking over!

[sarahp]

Hang on in there and wait for the remedial farrier's opinion and try not to worry, easier said than done I know.

[Deleted]

We've had A vet from Halifax have a look today and he said she most definitely needs surgery as she's 5 months old. I'm so upset. First foal we've bred. Completely put me off. And I feel so sorry for her

[Deleted]

I've had them come right on their own! please try not to worry so much

[Deleted]

Thanks Jane we've had 3 lots of vets say different things and 2 farriers say totally different things now got one more coming on the 16th. Then she's being weaned on the 21st and we need to make a decision

[Deleted]

not easy for a first time breeder with all that conflicting advice is it?

[Deleted]

Nope it's put me right off. Shame as having her has been the best thing ever love her to pieces. Shame no one can give a definitive answer

[sarahp]

No, definitely not easy for you.

Easy for me to say but I always leave them to sort themselves out as by the sound of it Jane would, never had one that didn't at least have its sole towards the ground though, and they've always come right - you couldn't do this of course if it was walking on the front of the fetlocks as can happen. I've seen the most peculiar looking things come right just with being out to grass on the mare with no extra measures taken except perhaps careful hoof trimming. But then I've had a fair number of foals over 30ish years of breeding. The first is always special - my first had to be pts as a 2yo with eye trouble, but there have been many wonderful others later who have given not just me but many other people great pleasure to own.

[flee]

Would also say 'Don't panic'. After extensive investigation the vets came to the conclusion that there was nothing that they could do for our severely lame 10 week old foal and that we should take him home and have him pts .
We didn't take their advice , the pony came sound within weeks ,we still own him and he has had a very successful showing career to date. That was nine years ago and he has not had a single days lameness since ( touch wood !).He's a total dude - a fab ride with a cracking jump in him .
Trust your gut instinct - nature has a wonderful way of healing things .

[catkin]

Not the same problem but another example of time and rest healing things. My neighbour's aged 138cm jumping pony was very lame last year. Suspensory ligament problem diagnosed. Vet said, total box rest and/or various hugely expensive treatments or it will never come sound. Well, the box rest proved impossible as the pony simply would not stay in peacefully. Almost smashed up it's stable, it's owner and itself one afternoon. Had a frantic call from said neighbour and I advised putting him in a small paddock with an old polo pony of ours who simply will not stand any nonsense, letting him keep gently moving around and see how he was at the end of the summer. 6 months later the pony is apparently 'almost' 100% sound according to the vet and ready to start light work. I am not sure the pony ever was 100% sound, so a great result all round. Sometimes time and rest is all that's needed. Very best wishes with your foal

[fanfarefan]

many years ago we had a foal at work with the opposite problem and the back of her fetlocks were on the ground , im not sure what the exact technical term for it is ,,, but she basically had very slack tendons , and the advice was let time do the healing, and sure enough by the time she was ayear old she had come right,,, best of luck with your foal

[Deleted]

Thank you all its just her hoof is like a box it doesn't seem to be attempting to slope even with the heel trimming. got the farrier coming Monday. He's the final opinion so will see what he says.

[Deleted]

After the last opinion has been given today. We have been told to leave her be. Keep on with the 2 weekly trimming upping to 3. She's never going to have a perfect foot, no horse has a pair of matching feet. She was born with what she has. Her leg is perfect shes just a little more upright. surgery wouldn't do her any good as its not her leg thats affected. Farrier has said he has seen far worse come right in time and not to mess with her too much. I'm happy about our decision to leave it and see what happens. Bring on weaning on Saturday then I can look forward to a foal show or two thanks all for your kind words

[kidside]

I had a foal the same, trims every 3 weeks, increased to 4, then 5 etc she's now rising 4 and has a normal hoof and has trims every 8 weeks I was so disheartened at the time as thought it would never be right just do what your farrier says and fingers crossed it will come right like mine did, I have been told I could never leave her trims for weeks on end but wouldnt do that anyway, good luck and fingers crossed