Sensitive Feet in Horse

Question
QUESTION: Hello
I have a Mare with sensitive front feet. She doesn't them being hosed...and hops around when I try to paint hoof oil on them. She also hates being shod in front on one foot in particular.
She has always (since very young) protested at having that off fore lifted off the ground.
My vet says that the behaviour on it's own can not lead to any diagnosis. He did however say I needed to drop her foot on the inside to balance the leg. She seems to be going better with that alteration, but all the sensitivity behaviour remains.
She is a big mover and has never looked lame.
Xrays show no sign of anything abnormal.
I've never come across this sort of sensitivity before...it is very puzzling... have you?

Look forward to your response.

Many thanks
Louise

ANSWER: Louise:

I clearly dont see this as hoof sensitivity. If it were, I would expect a lameness, especially when the sensitivity is allegedly to the touch with a hoof brush or water hose. This is not heavy trauma to the hoof. Im afraid that my impulse is to suspect a behavioral cause to these findings. Is the mare sensitive to hoof testers?? Again, I expect lameness with true sensitive feet. Most owners become angry or arugmentative when I suggest a behavorial problem with the horse. I dont see any likely physical or lameness explanation based on what you've described. I sorry to bear this opinion, but based on what you've told me, thats what Ive come up with. Please feel free to contact me again if you feel I can provide any help. my best to you.

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

QUESTION: Thanks.
No issues with your suggestion at all! She was sensitive to hoof testers recently (although not lame at the time) but this went away after 4 weeks rest. The behaviour I describe has been present for the 4 years she has been in work.
My vet said it appeared to be neurological and would be nigh on impossible to find any root cause.
Thanks for you reply. I'll keep training :-)
Regards
Louise

Answer
you're very welcome. Keep your eyes and ears open for evidence of another explanation too. Slowly and pateintly working with her may help her got over this too if it is behavioral. i dont agree with the asssessment that this is a neurological problem. i think it is more likely to be a manifestation of learned behavior. If your vet thinks this is evidence of a neurological exam, he/she should perform a complete neurological examination to deterimine if there are any neuro deficits. If you dont find any, Id conclude that this is not a neurological problem. Again, I feel fairly confident that this is not a manifestation of a neurological problem.