Tinas Tip for Monday: Hock injections and shoes....yes its the normal with barrel racers and sports vets but is it the best thing for your horse? I am certain this tip will generate strong opinions either way but as my Dad always said, if everyone jumps off a roof should you too? I have been in this industry professionally over 20 years and over all 39 years all together. I have seen the bad end results of too many steroids injected into joints, complications from over vaccinating and man made farrier issues. Our horses depend on us to make the best decisions for them not the short term WIN but the long haul for a horse that lives 30 years on average. We as the Horse Owner must sort through all the opinions and choose what is best for our 4 legged kids! Humans can only have so many steroid injections before surgery or permanent wear down & pain. There is pain in the procedure involved if you ever had it done you would know. After yes you feel good, so you can do even more damage by over working a joint that had issues. There are so many options before you chose pain management of stick a needle in a joint, from physical therapy, oral supplements, muscle or IV injections(adequan) for whole body in lieu of one area. So I am not saying dont do it, but think about your horses longevity of career and over all LoNG term health and what is best for THEM. Same goes for vaccines do you need a 7 way every 6 months? Do a blood titer pull and see what they are covered for, dont over vaccinate and there are holistic options as well. Same for de-worming, fecal test tells you what is best products and how often for your barn and horses. Side effects from vaccine fillers can weaken immune systems and have adverse side effects too, swelling stiffness and more. Great nutrition, low stress life and regular exercise can build immune systems. Do you think God didnt give horses the best traction and tough hoof they can have over shoes? Or what nail holes n tore off shoes do to the thickness of walls and shoes keep feet soft. I know, sure some horses have bad feet from breeding or man made, good trims, painting daily for conditions dry or wet can be enough for many but not for all, but shoes are a tool not the rule, correction and protection if need be not always necessary. I am just suggesting you be a leader and not a follower....do what is best for YOUR horse and dont let anyone make you doubt your gut feeling on it which ever way you want to go! Thank you & God Bless
Posted on: Mon, 02 Jun 2014 11:51:38 +0000
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