Bruised sole?

Vodkagirly

Well-Known Member
Joined
2 August 2010
Messages
3,908
Visit site
I've been on holiday and while I was away my horse got lame on a hack and had to be picked up and trailered home. He has very shallow feet and it was a stoney track and there was a slight hollow in his sole. One week later and got home today and he is sound on the lunge in the school but still a little off on the concrete in trot. Is it normal for a bruised sole to last this long? normally he is fine once the stone is removed.
 
Absolutely, for a properly bruised sole I don't start trotting for about a month at least and even then it is with hoof boots etc Can be a complete arse to deal with
 
If this is a regular occurrence I would be looking at a barefoot type of diet to thicken the sole and strengthen hoof : high fibre lo sugar , no mollases, no cereals.
In all the years I have ridden, I have never had to trailer home [may have to have got off and walked].
 
If this is a regular occurrence I would be looking at a barefoot type of diet to thicken the sole and strengthen hoof : high fibre lo sugar , no mollases, no cereals.
In all the years I have ridden, I have never had to trailer home [may have to have got off and walked].
Discuss concavity and the quality of the feet with the farrier, I am NOT suggesting he pares out the sole, I am suggesting you may need to add minerals to the diet, and it may be your individual horse, or related to the area.
Here is a sample diet for a 16.00hh horse in light work, out at grass 24/7
1kg Fast Fibre
100 gms micronised linseed meal
25-50gms Equimins Advance or Laminator or Meta Balance [ask Eqimins for advice here]
15gm Magnesium [I use Feedmark steady up but Magnox is cheaper].
30-50gm salt
You may also consider restricting the grass intake particularly if it is lush type rye-grass rather than old pasture, as it will be full of sugars, especially in the morning.
There are several hoof supplements on the market, but if the wall quality is good, I would just go with an all round mineral and vitamin mix. I think myself it is a matter of trial and error OR best practice is to have forage analysed and a suitable diet determined.
Regular slow road work is worthwhile to build up strength in the legs and the hoof.
PS if the farrier decides to remove the shoes to relieve symptoms, start reading up about Rockley Farm, and expect a lot of discussion with "the barefoot taliban"
 
Last edited:
If you're worried could you get your farrier to come out and check it out? Maybe he got a small puncture wound or abcess.
 
Top