Advice please

[cally23]

Please could you give me constructive ideas regarding my mares hooves?

Both fore hooves are wearing away at the toe.

When out hacking, very stony forestry, she is stumbling, this started about 4 weeks ago.

Ideas please? Should I shoe?

I am trying very hard to improve her frog and sole areas, she did have quite bad smelly thrush, which has now gone but I am wondering if her frog is still compromised?.

Thanks

http://s1055.photobucket.com/user/goldiefluffy32/library/

 

[Gloi]

I think I'd still keep treating those frogs. They look like they will still improve given time and work. If it were me I'd be keeping off the stony surfaces for a while and just ride on grass and tarmac if you can until they improve. If you can't do that then some boots would tide her over until then.

 

[cally23]

I have just purchased Red Horse Sole cleanser and Field paste, as from this week she will be out 24/7 The fields were improving but after the last storm, are now back to heavy mud.

On my farriers last visit, we discussed Thrush and he cut back a lot of her frog to show me a soft squidgy area.
Do you think I should put on front shoes, or would this make things worse?

I have had the vet out recently and asked for a condition score, which she said was 4.5. I was a bit upset by this as my mare has been out throughout the day and in at night, with one hay net. Her other feed has been 1 1/2 scoop of happy hooves, one carrot, garlic, black pepper and turmeric.

I do not have any facilities other than hacking, to exercise.

 

[supsup]

I think I'd be most concerned about why she is stumbling. Does she land heel-first when striding out well on a flat surface? She could be short striding and catching her toes if she is not fully comfortable on the stony forest tracks and therefore hesitates to really stride out. If she's much better in boots or on easier surfaces, then that might be the answer. I'd see the wear at the toes as more of a symptom of how she is moving, not so much as a problem that needs fixing (e.g. by protecting the area from wear with a shoe). I find it hard to tell from the pictures if the frog still need treating (or maybe just more time to regrow). IME, what the frogs look like and how well they perform (i.e. if the horse is sensitive) doesn't always correlate.
If your hacking surfaces are too challenging for her (at least at the moment), I guess you'll have to think about what you want to do about that. Hacking other, easier routes, using boots or shoeing would all be options in that case.

 

[cally23]

Yes she is short striding, in fact she doesn't want to go out at all. Thank you for your replies, it has helped, I think I need to keep on the work with her feet. Keep her out of the forestry, for now.
I will also have her back and saddle checked.

I have never used boots, would I need them professionally fitted? as a novice horse owner, I am trying my best to make the right choices, for my horse.

Thank you

 

[Birker2020]

I think I'd be most concerned about why she is stumbling. Does she land heel-first when striding out well on a flat surface? If your hacking surfaces are too challenging for her (at least at the moment), I guess you'll have to think about what you want to do about that. Hacking other, easier routes, using boots or shoeing would all be options in that case.

You mention landing heel first, I read a really interesting link the other day about horses that land heel first have healthy feet and those that land toe first have palmar foot pain. Can't remember where I read it though.

I watched the Lloyds bank advert the other day where the horse is cantering across the high street and noticed its feet landing heel first - because it was in slow motion it was easy to see. Made me think about the link I had seen.

 

[Gloi]

If you speak to the people at www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk they will give you a lot of good advice about boots.

 

[FfionWinnie]

You mention landing heel first, I read a really interesting link the other day about horses that land heel first have healthy feet and those that land toe first have palmar foot pain. Can't remember where I read it though.

I watched the Lloyds bank advert the other day where the horse is cantering across the high street and noticed its feet landing heel first - because it was in slow motion it was easy to see. Made me think about the link I had seen.

It's no secret that a healthy foot lands heel first. Think about your own feet, so do you!

Of course a false heel first landing forced on a foot with some shoes, doesn't mean the foot is healthy or is or will remain sound.

Op we need more info. What's her routine, feeding, how long has she been barefoot, and so on. I agree about treating the frogs.

The wear doesn't look like she's scuffing the fronts from above, more like she is wearing the toe from below, but the photos aren't really clear enough to be sure.

What is she like on a soft surface?