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Q:
My horse was shod last Monday. On Wednesday when I arrived at the barn, I
noticed that his front left was warm to the touch. My farrier was there so
he checked the shoes, hoof tested and found my horse to be a bit sensitive on
the outside of the hoof. He removed the nail and replaced it. My horse was
not lame and we rode him for a half hour. Two trainers watched him go
under saddle and he was fine. The next morning he was still warm in that
foot and up the leg as well. Strangely one of the diagonal back hoof
(left) was warm too. We again rode him under saddle and he is not off at
all. They gave him some bute last night. Is this normal?
Everyone I talk to says I don't need a vet to look at him but I am considering
having the farrier take a second look if he's not better by the weekends end.
Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks,
A:
First of all, I think you are on the right track. From Monday to Wednesday is
just about right for a "close" nail to cause heat in a hoof. The
diagonal hoof being warm, too is a bit of a coincidence, but not impossible,
especially if your horse has thin walls which can require almost impossible
accuracy from the farrier, or if the horse didn't stand well for shoeing, thus
giving the farrier a moving target.
I would definitely have your
farrier check the horse again if you still feel abnormal heat in the feet
Sunday or Monday. Not only is the farrier likely to be less expensive than the
vet, but the horses' feet are his specialty and of course he is in a better
position to rectify the situation if it is indeed caused by a hot nail.
As long as your horse isn't lame and
the heat isn't excessive, a little Bute would probably be what I would do for
my horse, too. Just be careful not to administer enough to cover a major
problem or to cause toxicity problems. I wouldn't give my horse any Bute
within 12 - 24 hours before having the farrier or vet check him, though, so
that the response to hoof testers, etc. will be a true one.
It is possible that the heat will
turn out to be the first signs of a hoof abscess in which case the horse will
usually go dead lame, usually quite suddenly. As frightening as this can be to
the owner, abscesses are usually resolved fairly easily with proper treatment. In
this situation I would again consult my farrier first and if not
satisfied with the progress I would go to my vet.
You didn't say how long you have had
your horse so I don't know how much experience you have had, but it sounds
like you are an observant and conscientious owner so I would expect things
will work out well for you. I'd appreciate it if you would keep me posted as
to how your problem works out.
Sincerely,
Mary Bayard
American Blacksmith
Murphys, California
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