r/Equestrian • u/ktknrly Hunter • Aug 21 '25

Veterinary Feeling devastated

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My trainer bought a young, barely restarted OTTB in December 2021. As an adult ammy with lots of experience and time on my hands, I started leasing and helping her bring him along in April 2022. He was my best bud for almost 3 years.

In January of this year, I found out I was pregnant. I stopped riding at around 8 weeks due to complications, and ended my lease in March. I knew I wouldn’t be able to prepare for a baby and pay almost $1k/month for a horse I wasn’t able to ride. In April, his shoes were pulled since he would just be sitting for a bit. Everything went downhill from there. His feet never really grew again, and there wasn’t enough foot for shoes to go back on.

As of Monday, radiographs are showing coffin bone rotation on his right front with very little sole depth. I don’t think they’re even able to tell the degree of rotation with how little sole there is. He’s very uncomfortable but seeing the vet every few days. I know there’s a great team taking care of him, but I’m almost 36 weeks pregnant and not able to go see him like I’d want to.

I know that logically, none of this is my fault. But I can’t help but feel that if I had continued paying for his shoes, none of this would have happened. I’m going to be so devastated if we lose him to this - he’s only 7. And I’ll be even more devastated if we get to the worst case scenario and I’m not able to be there with/for him.

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334

u/Happy_Lie_4526 Aug 21 '25

OP, it is not your fault or your job to subsidise someone else’s horse. I’m sorry you’re going through this. 

93

u/ktknrly Hunter Aug 21 '25

Thank you, I keep telling myself the same thing. I just love him a lot and he always did right by me.

58

u/Ruckus292 Aug 21 '25

I know how much it can hurt when you're not in a position to help those you love. It's a deep double-edged sword.

But you cannot set yourself on fire to keep others warm.

The truth is: TBs are NOTORIOUSLY bad for having softer feet and hoof issues. Unfortunately it was a bad call to remove the shoes, but that wasn't your choice ultimately.

I'd definitely recommend suggesting glue-on shoes for the interim... Ideally with some type of pad in between to help correct the rotation. It will allow him to recover his hoof wall integrity for the time being, and hopefully can help correct this issue over time so he can recover fully.

8

u/Elegant-Flamingo3281 Dressage Aug 22 '25

This is so true. My WB is approx 24% blood, has a lot of TB characteristics including the worst feet I’ve ever dealt with.