Are these hooves on the right track & improving?

[PoppyAnderson]

I felt like they were but I'm unsure now. The following photos are in sequence, oldest to latest, over a period of 7 weeks. He's been trimmed once in that time, about 4 weeks ago and I'm really struggling to get a good farrier to come out at the mo (have just moved yards).

 

[TwoStroke]

It's pretty tough to say for sure, due to the angle of the photos and the feather, but they look about the same to me... Sorry that's not what you wanted to hear.

Have you made some diet changes, or something you were expecting to cause tighter growth? Side on and sole shots would help give a clearer picture - there may be improvements that aren't visible from this angle.

 

[PoppyAnderson]

Well he's new to me and his feet weren't great when I got him. Put him straight on barefoot diet and have started to back him and work him (he's 4). He's got long toe/under-run heels combo going on. Decided on a conservative approach with farrier, as didn't want to overdo it. Feet have grown massively in last couple of weeks.

 

[PoppyAnderson]

Just after farrier:

2 weeks ago:

When I first got him:

2 weeks ago (and just washed, so wet rather than mushy!!):

 

[Meowy Catkin]

The main thing that catches my eye is the flair. Hopefully, now that you have sorted the diet, this will grow out with time. Don't forget to walk him out (in-hand or ridden depending on the stage he's at in his backing) to stimulate them.

Look closely at the new hoof growth under the coronet band. You should start to see a tighter hoof angle grow down.

 

[LittleBlackMule]

I don't think they look too bad, although he has obviously been struggling with his diet. I'm not sure if the farrier has taken enough off the heels and quarters though, which makes the flare look worse.

 

[PoppyAnderson]

The main thing that catches my eye is the flair. Hopefully, now that you have sorted the diet, this will grow out with time. Don't forget to walk him out (in-hand or ridden depending on the stage he's at in his backing) to stimulate them.

Look closely at the new hoof growth under the coronet band. You should start to see a tighter hoof angle grow down.

Right after he was trimmed, the flair was much improved but 2 weeks later, it had started to reappear with a vengeance. I think his hoof is growing super fast due to his diet, so hopefully, there'll be something for the farrier to work with (once I can find one of the blighters!). The new growth does seem to be tighter, which is encouraging and I am walking him out in hand. I thought I might need oxygen yesterday walking him out in the blistering sun!

 

[PoppyAnderson]

I don't think they look too bad, although he has obviously been struggling with his diet. I'm not sure if the farrier has taken enough off the heels and quarters though, which makes the flare look worse.

I agreed with the farrier that he be given a conservative trim, as I didn't want him to be sore. He looked much improved immediately after the trim but 2 weeks later, he looked back to square one almost.

 

[TwoStroke]

The main thing is that he has a lovely beefy caudal hoof, so with the diet change and some stimulation you should be a-ok . The flare is less than I was expecting from the front shots, and should grow out. If it proves stubborn then it could be a mineral imbalance.

 

[PoppyAnderson]

Well he's 100% sound on them, so fingers crossed, there'll be plenty of improvement over the coming months. I just need a jolly good farrier who'll come out to me! The good ones are choccablock.

 

[brucea]

Good caudal hoof. Watch those little clefts on the central sulci - keep them clean and thrush free. Keep up with the diet and you'll see continuing improvement in all sorts of areas.

 

[PoppyAnderson]

Good caudal hoof. Watch those little clefts on the central sulci - keep them clean and thrush free. Keep up with the diet and you'll see continuing improvement in all sorts of areas.

Well spotted! I think there is a bit of thrush creeping in. I've been using Red Horse products as part of the new regime but I just recently noticed the first signs of it.

 

[brucea]

Good - he won't have a comfoprtable heel first landing if there is any pain from thrush or infection in there.

I just tend to use the farmer supplies - foot rot spray - SeptiClense I think it is called, white and orange can. Quick and works well

 

[cptrayes]

Smashing solid looking feet that are tightening up with a new diet. Don't forget that if they grow in tighter then they are smaller at the top and the bottom can therefore look as if flare is increasing.

On a sound horse I'd be really pleased with those.

 

[PoppyAnderson]

Smashing solid looking feet that are tightening up with a new diet. Don't forget that if they grow in tighter then they are smaller at the top and the bottom can therefore look as if flare is increasing.

On a sound horse I'd be really pleased with those.

Thank you! I'm heartened by that and will keep going. It's only been a few weeks but it's easy to lose faith!