Need opinions & answers!

Ive switched farriers and since switching my horse has sprung a heel on the same foot four times.. I've been using the new farrier for about 5 months now, and I've been super happy with her work! But I don't understand why he's suddenly springing this same heel.. the fact that its the same foot has me wondering if it is him more than her farrier work? He's moving/jumping better than ever since switching to her, its just a pain and inconvinience to have him springing this heel so often, especially with us showing so much now... what should I do, or is there even anything I can do?

Lot of possibilities. The first question is, was this a problem with the prior farrier? If not, then something has changed and one or more of those changes is likely causing the problem.

A few questions that may help isolate the problem would be:

Is this farrier fitting the shoes with more length/support?

Is this farrier boxing and safeing the shoes (small bevel along the foot side, outside edge of the shoe; small bevel at the outer edge, round side; heels safed and checked?

Has the protocol changed for the hind feet? Perhaps from barefoot to shod?

If the hinds are shod, does the new farrier include a lateral trailer on the shoes? Extended heels? Perimeter fit versus set back? Rockered/Rolled toes (front or hinds) versus earlier flat, perimeter fit?

Has the shoeing change caused your horse to reach deeper with the hinds? Is he moving more straight-line? Can you hear any forging/clipping at the walk or trot?

Has the length of breakover with respect to the center of articulation of the front feet increased?

The horse has sprung the same heel four times. What changes, if any, has your farrier made in the shoeing protocol to address the problem? Is she making a change or just flattening and re-nailing the same shoe?

Has the horse (or you) gained significant weight? Have you changed saddles? Have you changed the terrain over which the horse is worked (e.g. Deeper footing). Have you changed or introduced any new riding discipline? Increased the performance level of that discipline?

Have the horse experienced any injuries or significant pathology of the distal limb?

As you can see, there are too many questions to offer any specific advice. Perhaps the questions will lead you and your farrier to a better solution.

Cheers,
Mark