My 20-25 yr old rescue TB, Fast, is shifting his weight back & forth from the left hind hoof to the right hind. He seems to be favoring the left the most resting just the tip of the hoof for balance. He doesn't seem lame nor in pain. Just maybe uncomfortable. His behavior seems basically normal except for the weight shifting. There is no heat anywhere in either foot or leg nor does he mind you messing with either except its hard for him to keep his balance. I have had Fast 2 months and my farrier worked on him 6 weeks ago for the first time in 2 years. He is really long but my farrier wants to take time to get his hooves in shape so the tendons don't freak out from a drastic change. When he trimmed 6 weeks ago he took off almost an inch. He is due out again in 12 days.
I have a tendency to worry and panic over nothing so I don't want to call my farrier on a holiday weekend unless it is truely an emergency. I figure I'll watch Fast today and if he is the same (or God forbid) worse tomorrow I'll call.
I don't know if a horse can founder in the rear feet. Everything I've read refers to the front. Is it possible? He is fed 5 lbs senior complete twice a day and pasture 24/7. (He was almost 250 lbs under weight with a body score of 2.5 - 3 when I got him) He hasn't gotten into anything so it seems like foundering isn't the problem. I just need to get info and ideas. Thanks for anything you all can tell me.
