6 Year Old TWH

Question
QUESTION: Hi:

I have a TWH that is not gaiting as well as he should.  I was having some saddlefitting problems so I now have a different saddle and this saddle fits better. I also just had a Chiropractor out and had his hips worked on. Now I would like to move on to his feet.

My current farrier I have been using for over a year and he is currently using Heel Keg shoes on the front and back because I had ask about traction for the trails. My husband feels he is being trimmed more like a quarter horse and would like to see a little longer toe and more angle.  He seems to be standing more straight up.

I recently read an article about a pacey horse and it indicated the best shoe for pacing would be the St. Croix Eventer shoe with a wider web.  The article said that would make the front shoe slightly heavier than the back and would help break up the pace.
Any other suggestions as I believe my farrier would be open to listening to help me with the pacing.  What back shoe and what angle?

Thanks,

ANSWER: HELLO GLORIA...THANKS FOR YOUR QUESTION...

Just like the "foundation" of a building, the hooves should always be your FIRST priority.

Chiropractic methods are fine and give temporary relief, but if the horse has an imbalance
or any hoof issues,then the problems will continue !! Any reputable chiropractor will address
the balance of the hooves and any lameness or soreness issues and explain that for one to work,
the other has to be taken care of.

Having a saddle adjusted or changing saddles is excellent. Nothing is worse than an ill-fitted
saddle.

Your husband is correct. There is NO CORRECT angle for ANY gaited horse. MOST of the time,
according to "confirmation" a longer toe will help in a higher knee breakover and "add" to the gait or action of the horse. Shod or trimmed short will not help. EVERY horse should be shod
or trimmed according to their confirmation both standing and in motion. Referred to as
"static and dynamic".

Also...you mention traction and then mention the "eventer shoe" wide web that loses traction.
You can't have both. A wide web shoe of any brand, weighs alittle more and will compliment the gait or flight of the front limbs. I would and have personally used alot of rim shoes for traction instead of caulks/corks. On the front hooves with caulks, you can tend to get alittle to much grab/torque as in time will cause joint problems and tendon stress.
Horses are 60/65% front-end heavy and a horse was made to give and slide "slightly" when in motion. Remember...enough grab...something has to give !

If the horse is of good size, I may start out with at least a 4" toe length and later could go and extra 1/4 to 1/2 " more as long as you don't sacrifice the strength of the hoof wall.
Again...I personally would stay away from alot of traction with the front hooves and allow
the front-end to move in a more free motion. As far as hind shoes, the heel caulks on the hind would be fine. It would allow the horse traction with the hind-end and keep the horse limbs more underneath him/her.

The Best to You...
Joepaul Meyers,C.J.F.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dr. Meyers:

Thanks so much for responding to my question. He is  a large horse around 16 hands.  I am very happy to switch the shoes since you mentioned the grabbing issue and the fact that they could cause tendon problems as the Chiropractor also mentioned that.  But, I do want to  understand about the back feet.  The chiropractor said to use eventers/rims on all 4 feet and that just didn't make sense to me since my horse is pacing. Could I forward a photo of my horse to you so you could see they way he is currently being trimmed and let me know about the angles?  If so how can I forward to you? Should shoes be heavier on front for pacy horse?

Thanks again so much for taking the time to discuss my problem.

Answer
HEY GLORIA...THANKS FOR GETTING BACK WITH ME...

At the bottom, I'll give you my email address and forward any pics or info to me.

As I mentioned, there are NO exact angles for ALL gaited horses...everyone being an individual.
I can look and see what your horse needs. An extended toe length say start at maybe 4" and in
time and QUALITY of wall, you can add 1/4" of length till you achieve what you want and what's
best for him.
You are right...even as a trail riding horse and no special events, a heavier shoe on the front would be best. A sound horse hits the ground heel first(like a human) and usually slightly to the outside or lateral side. With the hind shoes, most gaited horses don't drive real forward with their hind-end, unless they are "pushed too". The caulks will hit first and grab. Help with the push-off or drive a horse with his hind limbs.
That should be all the traction you'll ever need. Your farrier will see the difference immediately.

Email me @ ironhorsejpm@hotmail.com

Thanks again...
Joepaul