HELP!

Question
My 13yr old paint became lame around Nov. 1st - shortly before that I had begun a "barefoot" trim - Nov 1st they put hoof testers to him and could find nothing - limp was to front left at a trot - the abscess finally busted vary early January - he is now limping in the front left - still nothing shows from the hoof testers - finally X-rays 2 weeks ago and one vet says minute navicular and minor arthritis - another says it appears on the lateral view he is really low in his fetlock which results in a strain on the flexor tendons and the and suspensory ligament- then last week another abscess busted on the rear left - I have started him on VitaFlex and bute for inflammation - he shows no signs of great pain - farrier is due out this coming weekend - vet suggested silicone/pad and egg bar shoes - I am totally confused - does this sound like the best route to go. I am not going to give up and someone else suggested it may be time for retirement - this lameness came up sudden.  He has not been worked, or shod, for several months and I do want to start riding again. Thank You So Much.

Answer
HELLO KATHY...THANKS FOR YOUR QUESTION...

I see these problems every week at the various Clinics I work at.
I will break this down the same way I do in my everyday practice.

First...at 13yrs. unless he's been "tortured and ridden into the ground"...he's NOT ready for retirement!! NEXT...I'M NOT a big fan
of the "barefoot-trim". I COULD write an entire paper on the down
falls of the practice. I LOVE A BARE=FOOT HORSE!! IF THEY CAN handle
it!! BUT...many times we use and push these horses and keep them in environments that need shoes or the stories "I can fix ANY HORSE with the "bare-foot" trim. MOST of the time, the people can't afford a
quality shoeing job or just won't pay a qualified farrier.

When using veterinarians...a word to the wise...I work with over 26
right now. The MORE you go to and want results...the more conflicting answers you may get. You need to (from reputation) seek
only one or two and try and work with their opinions and diagnosis.
Going to 5 or 6  vets as I see on a regular basis; will only keep
you confused and spend ALOT OF MONEY and it will only upset you in the "long-run"...trust me.

Both vets sound like (without me seeing it first hand)they could very be "on the money"!! A 13 yr. old horse can certainly have navicular bursitis and arthritis and not be picked up on hoof-testers. IF a lateral view shows him to be "broken back axis or low in his fetlocks, that can also cause tendon/ligament stress...next is the boney structures.
Egg-bar shoes PROPERLY APPLIED can help greatly with what you are describing. I wouldn't use the pads. Rocking the toe of the shoes will also help with breakover and reduce strain. YOU MIGHT just try
the first time shoeing him on the front hooves and trimming the back.
Fitting him full for support and rocking his toes...that might be ALL he needs?? It's simple and see HOW he responds to it. ALSO, very
economical !!

ANYTIME you are dealing with abscess's...DO NOT USE BUTE. It can
stop or retard the draining process of the abscess. Helps with the
inflammation,but slows the outcome of healing.
Obviously, he is picking material up in his hoof capsule causing
the abscess. Hence... the reasons for shoes.

IF he is NOT growing a quality hoof, then be sure to supplement him
with a hoof supplement/amino acids.

It sounds like you care very much and have done all the "right things". Work with a qualified farrier, not just anyone or one that is a "good friend" of a friend !! Something is deffinetly "missing"
with your horse or being overlooked. NOT YOUR FAULT!! A farrier and vet you can trust, will get you back in the saddle and happy !!

Let me know if I can help further...
Best To You !!
Joepaul Meyers,C.J.F.