Posted 2014-09-22 7:56 PM Subject: PHT bell boots and side bone issues. Any experience?
Off The Wall
Posts: 4737 Location: Somewhere in Mommyland
15yo gelding dx with mild side bone in RF Sept 2012. Vet said to bute and ice him before workouts and runs and just deal with it. I wasn't running at the time so tried some different shoeing techniques. None helped that much. Then in April 2013 I decided to pull his shoes and try the barefoot method on him. I can't say he's any better but the health of his feet have improved drastically! He still has thin, fairly flat soles though (Appendix breeding) and can't walk on hard rocky ground without gimping. I haven't ridden him since Spring 2013. I've lunged him here and there and can still see a slight gimp when he's working to the right at the trot. I'm wanting to see if I can get him sound enough to work again though. Even if it's just one barrel race a month. I miss riding and racing something fierce and now that our son is older it's easier for me to go out and spend time with the horses.
P.S. This horse has had an extremely easy life. He hasn't been used hard at all and was started very late. I'm his second owner. But size isn't on his side as he's 16.2 and just as wide.
Posted 2014-09-22 8:00 PM Subject: RE: PHT bell boots and side bone issues. Any experience?
Blessed
Location: Here
Nothing will be a cure all, but it should make him more comfortable. I have an older broodie that gimps around if she doesnt get her PHT bells at night
Posted 2014-09-22 8:10 PM Subject: RE: PHT bell boots and side bone issues. Any experience?
Blessed
Location: Here
There are a lot of factors that go into getting him sound enough to run again. This particular mare has to have shoes. she is too flat footed and big boned and was miserable without them. Just remember all horses are individual in their needs. ;)
Posted 2014-09-22 8:19 PM Subject: RE: PHT bell boots and side bone issues. Any experience?
Off The Wall
Posts: 4737 Location: Somewhere in Mommyland
I know. The farrier and I have been discussing that very thing since it's been 17mos since pulling shoes. But one foot still has some flare in it and I'm trying to be patient and giving the benefit of the doubt and waiting until we get that to grow out to see where he's at soundness wise. He has two totally different front feet so it's been a challenge. Luckily this farrier does do some shoe work when needed.
Posted 2014-09-22 9:18 PM Subject: RE: PHT bell boots and side bone issues. Any experience?
Thick and Wavy
Posts: 6102 Location: Nebraska
My mare has sidebone real bad in both fronts, but she's never been lame and it's never really affected her. You'd never be able to tell if you didn't pay close attention to how she wears her feet. I just started using my PHT bells on her and she has started licking when I take them off so she must like them! I know my other mare that is prone to sore feet loves having the bells and I've noticed she moves better after they've been on when she's sore.
PHT bell boots and side bone issues. Any experience?
