Barefoot: ?grit in white line

L

Lego

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 June 2011
Messages
397
Visit site
Hi All,

My cob has been barefoot behind for about 6/7 months now, and all going well. He was absolutely rock crunching over the stony bridleways round us until a couple of weeks ago. He's still happy and forward on the tracks, but it choosing to walk on the less stony bits, whereas before he would happily wander wherever, especially if next to his buddy or in search of cow parsley :D

I've noticed the last couple of days, he's come back from hacks & in from the field over gravelly track with tiny bits of grit in the white line on one hind. He doesn't seem footsore at all, but never had grit before, even when shoes first came off...

Does this mean the white line is stretching? Do I need to change something in his diet?

He is currently out overnight on decent grazing, in on a small net of meadow haylage during the day. Fed Pro Hoof, linseed, mug of soaked speedibeet x2, handful Graze-on x2. Looking good and putting muscle on nicely, but getting a bit of a grass belly :rolleyes:

Thanks!
 
I'm sure others far more qualified will be along with some diet advice shortly! Does sound like a bit too much sugar/starch prob from the nice summer grass to me. Anyway just wanted to say my lad has some separation (the vet says from the wet winter) and I'm using red horse artimud to fill up the white line. It seems to be good stuff. Just thought I'd recommend. It's a paste so doesn't stop grit getting in, but does seem to stop it digging in deep and should also help with keeping out infection. Oh and it smells really nice. My lad keeps trying to lick it :S
 
Grit getting in means the white line isn't as tight as it should be, i.e. stretched. Can you reduce his grazing more? They can stuff their faces quite easily in just an hour or two and undo all the good work. Is it possible to get him onto something like a track, on poorer grazing but then feed more hay instead? Rather than keeping him in part of the time. Reducing sugar is probably key.
 
Thanks for the advice so far guys :)

Unfortunately no option for a track etc as on livery, but the YM has been fairly accommodating in allowing turnout overnight when the sugars should be a bit better, and in double netting his mini haylage net. He also has the nicer straw so he can nibble his bed if he thinks he's starving during the day :rolleyes:

Have tried to reintroduce his muzzle, but cheeky wotsit got it off twice last night then wouldn't let the YM put it back on!

Was hoping there might be something I could add to feed that would help? When first on Pro Hoof his white line noticeably tightened very quickly. Also have heard rumours of bicarb helping... Or just increase Mag?

Are there any signs of brewing abscess to look out for? Never had a horse with one...
 
Regarding abscesses - not really – but if your horse suddenly goes really lame overnight (will look as though its broken its bloody leg!!!) – get the farrier out so he can dig around in the hoof and find the ****** - so you can treat more easily … poulticing alone will not bring the abscess out x
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top