Very Common
Less Common
You also might be observing
Observation
What you see. The starting point for addressing any equine health related issue is your observation.
YOU ARE OBSERVING
Loose Shoe
Summary
A nail-on shoe is held in place by close fit to the sole, nailing and clinching, or in some case clips (flanges of steel created in the shoe and fit to the hoof wall). Shoes loosen due to poor hoof wall quality or poor nail placement or clinching. Crumbly, poor quality hoof wall may not hold nails and may shell off, causing the shoe to come loose.
In most cases, if left long enough, a shoe ultimately comes loose. How long this takes depends on how much the horse moves, and the abrasiveness of the footing that the horse moves on. The metal of the shoe, and the clinches, ultimately will thin and fatigue.
A loose shoe must be dealt with immediately. If not remedied, the clinches could pull off a significant chunk of hoof wall with the shoe. A loose shoe might also pivot around to where the horse steps on the nails or clips. The nails or clips can penetrate the sole and cause serious injury.
In most cases, if left long enough, a shoe ultimately comes loose. How long this takes depends on how much the horse moves, and the abrasiveness of the footing that the horse moves on. The metal of the shoe, and the clinches, ultimately will thin and fatigue.
A loose shoe must be dealt with immediately. If not remedied, the clinches could pull off a significant chunk of hoof wall with the shoe. A loose shoe might also pivot around to where the horse steps on the nails or clips. The nails or clips can penetrate the sole and cause serious injury.
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Code Yellow
Contact Your Vet at Your Convenience for an Appointment- Shoes have repeatedly come loose, despite farrier efforts.
- You believe that the problem relates to poor quality hoof wall.
your role
What To Do
A loose shoe usually needs to be removed altogether but in some cases may just need the clinches tightened.Pull the shoe, or have your farrier pull the shoe. Assess the horse for lameness at the walk, and feel for digital pulse and heat in the hoof. Consider why the shoe became loose, and address the potential cause.
What Not To Do
Do not ignore a loose shoe, as it may injure the horse.
Skills you may need
Procedures that you may need to perform on your horse.
Very Common
your vet's role
As long as there is not lameness or injury, your vet should not need to be involved. If shoes come loose frequently, then shoeing technique and other factors need to be examined.
Questions Your Vet Might Ask:
- What is the horse's age, sex, breed and history?
- When was the horse's last shoeing?
- What is the horse's Body Condition Score (BCS)?
- How is the appearance of the horse's coat?
- What do you perceive as the quality of the horse's hoof walls?
- Do you notice pronounced rings on the hoof wall?
- Has anything changed in the horse's hoof management?
- What is the status of your horse's hoof care and shoeing?
- Have you noticed this happen before?
Diagnostics Your Vet May Perform
Figuring out the cause of the problem. These are tests or procedures used by your vet to determine what’s wrong.
Diagnoses Your Vet May Consider
The cause of the problem. These are conditions or ailments that are the cause of the observations you make.
Treatments Your Vet May Recommend
A way to resolve the condition or diagnosis. Resolving the underlying cause or treating the signs of disease (symptomatic treatment)
Very Common
