What kind would help..?

Question
Hello :)
I have a 17 yr old QH who hurt his front, lower leg tendon and possibly some other things some years ago. He's been lame ever since. He loves to go out to race in the fields and he used to love jumping but I can't let him do it anymore because it makes him limp more (which no one thought was possible). He uses regular shoes and his hooves are far longer then most of the other horses out there. Would a different type of shoe help him/trimming his hooves down more than normal help him any? I hope there is a kind because now that he can't do any more then walk/trot and slow canter around twice a week, he's been depressed and won't carry himself proudly like he used to and now he won't even watch the other horses having fun. I hope you can help somehow <:'-)

Answer
HELLO CAITI...Thanks for your question...

You are not giving me a specific medical problem of his lower leg. I will assume he has a "bow" or previously torn tendon. Deep or Superficial flexor. Or Suspensory ligament.
It does matter what he injured along time ago.

What he "likes-to-do" and what's GOOD for him is two different things. At 17 yrs. he probably has arthritis and
other inflammation. He should be keep in a smaller paddock
or pasture...no more than a couple acres. Exercise, like
with people; is very important, but should be allowed in a more conservative way as NOT to re-injure the problem or
CREATE a new one. Putting him with one or two other horses
would greatly help his "depression" and he'd probably feel like "one-of-the-boys" again!!

IF IT'S A BOW??? Then a wedged-heel shoe would help or a
egg-bar shoe//wedged or not...your farrier would know what would be better. I would DEFINITELY "rock" the toe of the shoe to help "break-over" and take the strain off the rear
of the limb ( if that's his problem).

With proper relief...he would immediately move better. As I
always say "HORSES NEVER LIE"...

I hope that I've helped you. Let me know if there is something else...or if his injury is more specific, I
might be more accurate myself with his problem.

Thanks Again...
Joepaul Meyers,C.J.F.