draft horse is sore

Question
i have a 8 y o draft mare i haven't worked here in @ in a couple of weeks and i noticed her giving in her rear end wondering what could have made her sore in her hind quarters like that! i was told her feet was 2 short do u think that putting shoes on her would help her!?

Answer
HELLO CHAD...THANKS FOR YOUR QUESTION...

IF HER FEET/HOOVES are sore...then shoes would help. BUT... if you can't check that out yourself,
then I would definitely call the farrier and hoof test the hooves to see if it is in fact to short or possibly a solar abscess??
Next, if that clears to where there is any doubt...an equine vet should look at her and give a general check of the lower limbs and hooves.

You can if she is ONLY tender in her soles, paint her soles with an iodine based formula to
toughen her soles and walls. Everyday for 4/5 days and then back off to say every 3 days.
It is hard to keep them very dry in Winter time so if she is outside most of the time, your job will be to stay after it. :)

If you PREFER to leave her barefooted, then painting her soles and leaving alittle extra hoof wall after trimming is VERY important. I'd shoe her as a last result for comfort, especially
if you are not using her alot this Winter.

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