Wind Rider Equine Rehab

I had a client haul in from Conroe, TX to my place in Farmersville, TX today with 2 ponies who received bodywork and trims. On the second little girl I did Reiki, myofascial release, massage, trigger point, and electro stem therapy as well as a trim to help her better balance her body. She had a traumatic birth from an accidental breeding to a larger horse. She would not let me touch her hind end until after the electro-stem session. After that she let me rub and work on her glutes and hamstrings. She is on the road to recovery. , #

Asking the right questions may help determine why a horse may be sore after a trim. There is always more going on than it seems. Has the horse had vaccines, recently been off or sick? Has it done new conditioning work, is there a new pathology in the hoof or lower limb. What are the sugars in the grass like currently. What is the diet like and what treats does it get?
A Functional Whole Horse approach is needed.
Make sure your farrier knows how to ask and answer all these questions.

Ava Paul has asked:

“My farrier trims my horses and they stay sore for several days. Why is this. They do it in all kinds of weather, wet and dry. Like they can barely stand and do not want to pick a foot up.”

Thanks for your question. We certainly wouldn't expect a horse to be sore for several days after a routine trim, and if it's happening consistently with all of your horses, it's something that needs looking into. What you leave behind when trimming is as important as what you take off to produce a functional foot.

Have you spoken to your farrier about it? If so, what explanation did they give? The fact you're asking here suggests you're probably not completely satisfied with the answer.

Without seeing the horses or their feet, it would be wrong for us to speculate on the cause. There are a number of possible reasons why a horse may be uncomfortable after trimming, and it's important not to jump to conclusions.

We'd encourage you to have an open conversation with your farrier first. If you're still concerned afterwards, it may be worth seeking a second opinion from another experienced, qualified farrier. A routine trim should aim to leave the horse comfortable and able to move freely, not sore for several days.

If you seek a second opinion you may well be asked:

- How long is the shoeing/trimming interval? (e.g. every 4, 5, 6, 8 weeks?)

- Do any of the horses have any diagnosed lameness or underlying conditions? (e.g. arthritis, laminitis, navicular syndrome, EMS, PPID/Cushing's.)

- Are they all barefoot or are any of them shod?

- How old are the horses? (Older horses can have different issues from youngsters.)

- Are they sore on all four feet, or just the front or hind feet?

- How soon after the trim do they become sore? (Immediately, later that day, or the following day?)

- How long does the soreness last?

- What does 'sore' look like? (Short-striding, reluctant to turn, standing still, unwilling to lift a foot, etc.)

- What sort of ground are they walking on after they're trimmed? (Soft pasture, gravel, stony tracks, concrete.)

- Does it happen after every trim, or only occasionally?

- Have they always reacted this way, or is it a recent change?

- Has anything else changed recently? (Diet, workload, turnout, weight, season, medication.)

Just a quick note:

We'd really appreciate everyone keeping the comments constructive. This isn't an opportunity for farrier bashing or criticising another professional. None of us have seen the horse, the feet, or the full picture, so it wouldn't be fair to make assumptions. Let's keep the discussion focused on helping the owner understand the possible reasons and the best way to move forward.

It’s Day 2 of Farriers Week! 🐴🔨

Today we’re honoring the strong women in our trade. With passion, expertise and dedication, they do amazing work every day, for the horses
and for our profession.

A huge thank you to all the female farriers! 🤩🤘🏻

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FARRIERS WEEK 2026
WERKMAN HOOFCARE
PROUD TO BE A FARRIER