SHOEING SAGA CONTINUES 11/30/03
updates 6/2/04
The new shoer arrived and we discussed the way I like to shoe my horses. No problem.
This shoer is a bit new. He has been shoeing horses from the farm for years, but has been a full-time shoer in the SE TN area for the past year or so.
Really like him - an inactive Marine so he HAS to be OK?
Trimmed job looked great. Good balance.
Here is the best point - He actually watched the horses moved after the trim. Most shoers will not even care to watch the horse move. I think if a shoer will not watch a horse move he has NO real understanding of how his shoe job was.
We put on the EQUIFLEX on the 3 older ones. He let me show him the process and he had no problem installing these shoes. He did not have to glue them on first as I did. All 3 are going great, nice balance, they look and sound correct at the trot and walk. I can tell the difference in the the way they move from the last shoer (who only got ONE try then gone).
They go down the stone roads with no problem. The hottie mare can even canter with no problem other then with me not wanting her to. I am very pleased with these shoes and how they travel on the stone and dirt roads. I am having NO problems with soft ground, dirt or grass trails. NO slipping. I like these better then the SNEAKERS from EQUITHOICS. I am not sure about the wear issues.
The mare I shod, had a pair on for 5 1/2 weeks. They were still in good shape. I think she had over 100 miles of work on them. I think doing a 50 miler would not be a problem. I am going to keep these 3 going with these shoes on all 4, for at least the rest of the winter. With Omni down with issues again, I plan on riding the two mares more. Carol will be riding her old gelding just to test the shoes.
I think these shoes really help the foot to expand. A good compromise between barefoot and steel. Fame increased one shoe size from when I did her. That was good, means she grew more foot.
I have no plans to try another brand i.e. ground control, since these are working so well.
I will also keep this shoer. For any riders in SE TN looking for a good shoer - you may want to try this one
Mike Pohl, Cleveland TN 423 432 8634 or 423 339 2298
He likes to shoe for riders who take an active interest in the hoof care of their horses.
I think the next time he will do Carol's horse Raz and we will put him in the EQUIFLEX also.
OMNI
Jaye (Perry) came here to fix Omni and Raz a few days before Mike was here. BOTH have a major nail hole blow out -from a quicked nail. BOTH first nail FR. Omni's blowout is about halfway up the wall with a good section out of the wall open. I need to keep it clean and treat it with 'stuff'. Jaye decided Omni required a better sole foot support since his wall was compromised. He was not getting enough support. He decided to place him in the EQUIFLEX wide web with a frog insert. Then pack the bottom of the foot with Vettec HoofPak. This appears to be working. He is going well in the front, however there is a problem with the hind end. I find he has ( more) problems going down hill. Taking short steps and not wanting to trot down short hills.. as he use to do.
The shoeing behind is the same. I don't see the front end causing this. He acts like there is a problem in the hocks? So we are going to get that looked at by the TCM/Accup/Chiro vet from Knoxville. After that I am not sure what I will do with him.
end 12/3/03
NEW UPDATE INFORMATION
Had Omni shod with these shoes on all 4. Appears he does NOT go well in them. He short strides behind and tippy toes in front. The nails in the front came loose in a week and backed out. The front hoof wall cracked. He did not do well at a ride in May. After discussion with the vet at the ride and the shoer, we decided this horse cannot go well in plastic shoes. He was sticking and dragging his toes, just not moving right.
He will go back to steel with LUWEX pads l on all 4 this week
They do NOT work for ALL horses.
The other 3 are doing just fine so far.
end 6/2/04