Jack's X-ray.....hmmmm.....What Now?!?!

Ok, so we called in the big guns today. Jack is lame and wouldn't even walk down a small hill - apparently too painful to put weight on front of hoof.

The hoof that is really giving him problems is the front right (x-ray on left). You can see the coffin bone looks misshapen. (See above cross sectional of hoof for location of bones) Compare it to the coffin bone in the left hoof (Right x-ray). A look on the outside of Jack's hooves and the casual observer would know they are messed up!

But it's not just his feet! Jack's coat continues to get duller and bleached out spots are showing up; he's slow and lethargic; sweats standing still! Is that any way for a four year old thoroughbred to act?

We are still searching for answers. There must be a piece to the puzzle we just aren't seeing! Tomorrow, the doctor will come out and draw blood: once in the AM and once in the PM and test for insulin resistance and Cushings.

I'm still left with the current immediate dilemma of whether to shoe or not shoe. Vet says put shoes on (and this will help the symptoms of lameness); barefoot trimmer says "No! It would only be covering up the problem."

There's more going on than lameness here. So what would you do? Do you believe shoes can cure symptoms of horse lameness issues with no long term repercussions? Should we forget about his other symptoms (of lethargy, dull coat) if he can be made to walk ok? Or do we try to get to the root of the problem, no matter how long (or potential painful to the horse) and find out what's going on in this horse, thereby curing his hoof problems? Have you ever had to deal with this kind of situation?