Chunks from hind hooves

[shannonandtay]

Today when the boy came in from the field he had a chunk missing from both hind hooves on the inside, same place on each hoof and wasn't there yesterday. He is shod fronts, barefoot behind. Have had a new farrier since I moved yard a few months ago and he has shod him twice now in the fronts but hasn't trimmed the backs as he said he didn't need it. The last visit I said to him that he wasn't trimmed the last time he came but he again said he didn't need doing, so despite my misgivings he didn't get a trim. Back hooves have looked ok up until this past week when they are now looking untidy and today I feel really upset that both hooves have chunks out of them. I will phone the farrier tomorrow and pony doesn't appear lame at all, but I feel like I've neglected his feet, is there anything I can do?

 

[SaffronWelshDragon]

I have a similar think going on with my old girl. She had laminitis in the past (not for years) so her toes get quite long. She's gone longer than usual without a trim due to me changing farriers and being disorganised. The other week I noticed the hinds had a crack starting on the same side (so left outside, and right inside), the next day a chunk of hoof from each side has dropped off. Doesn't seem to be bothering her though she of course looks a bit peculiar. Thankfully the farrier is coming at the weekend but I know what you mean about feeling like you neglected the feet Farrier also mentioned that the dry weather and hard ground won't have helped matters.

 

[LittleBlackMule]

If the feet are unshod and have been so for a while, then pieces flaking off round the edges are just the natural shedding of excess hoof wall, and nothing to worry about.
Your horse's opinion of when it needs trimming obviously differs from your farrier's!

 

[warmbloodcrazy]

Itsnothing to worry about but i would definitely be wanting the farrier to take a look next time you have a visit and just voice your concern on the missing pieces of hoof and ask advice. It has been dry lately and it sounds like hes just perhaps caught the hoof and a bits come off as theres a bit of excess hoof wall there. Maybe try and keep the hooves a bit more supple with a hoof dressing until the next visit? Although now we've had a bit of rain it will moisten up his feet. Don't worry at all its normal and just a bit of a cosmetic thing. They will grow out