Answer

By Your Horse

Farrier Glyn Trundle replies:

This problem is very common and a lot of my referral work is as a result of horses with long toes, low, dropped or sensitive heels.
Unfortunately, there are many contributing factors, such as poor conformation (namely long, sloping pasterns), poor diet (lacking vital vitamins and minerals), poor management (usually irregular shoeing), and poor shoeing, with the toes left long and shoes not big enough to support the heels.
It sounds as though your farrier has been pro-active already by trying bar shoes and pads.
I have had great success with using a straight-bar shoe in conjunction with a silicone sole pack called Equi-pak. We fit the shoe as normal with a soft fabric mesh between the shoe and the foot, covering the sole, then apply the silicone. The silicone goes in, in a liquid state, weaving into the soft mesh, which is trapped between the hoof and shoe, helping to prevent the pad falling out. It sets solid in about 30 seconds to a minute.
● Visit www.vettec.net for more on the Equi-pak.