Feet Again

Alibear

Alibear

Well-Known Member
Joined
25 March 2003
Messages
9,200
Location
East Anglia
Visit site
Hi , well this currently seems a good place to ask about feet.
My lad may or may not have ligament damage, due to past claims his front feet aren't covered and I can't afford and MRI. However we are trying barefoot as he did quite well barefoot previously.
He's only now coming up for 3 weeks without shoes (or gel pads infront too).
Weird things is as this photo shows he has a colour change half way up both fronts, this appeared at the same time as the lameness, the top paler part is getting bigger not smaller.
StripeyFronts.jpg

Having looked the soles of his feet I think I can spot, signs of white line problems, bruising if that's the reddish bits, a little bit of sole flaking off.
Anything else, any general comments or tips?
All4.png

I've started him on Magnesium Oxide and he's already on a reasonably good barefoot diet.
 
I will list my observations from the pictures supplied - however pictures can be very misleading and these are my observations only. I would suggest you use a good farrier or reputable barefoot trimmer for this horse and take their advice.

His off fore and hind heels look underrun more than the near side. Heels look slightly long but its hard to tell from pictures. His toes look long in the first picture.

He has infections. Not major.

He looks like he needs a good trim, his infections sorting out and gentle inhand work on tarmac and in a sand school or with pads on his feet.

Not the worst de-shod feet I have seen by a long run but still a long way from perfect!
 
I might be way off here but if he has been barefoot in the past I would suspect major gravel infiltration up the white line....not your doing but over years. I usually run a mile from specialist barefoot trimming but in his case Id consider someone highly skilled having a look.
 
For infections, I really like Red Horse products

http://www.red-horse.co.uk/

I would start by scrubbing the feet clean and drying and then using Sole Cleanse and Field Paste on them daily.

Also get the horse in and allow his feet to dry out for a few hours a day at least and once they are dry do some gently hand walking on smooth tarmac and exercise in a sand school if it is available.

It is quite a dedication initially after taking the shoes off but you will see how quickly the changes happen and be amazed!
 
Last edited:
Thanks, he's not allowed out in the field already because of the suspected ligament damage we also have a suspicion he might be IR.
So hes turned out int he sand school for 4 hours per day.
We also walking him on the concreate for 5 mins or so each day.
 
Alibear said:
Thanks, he's not allowed out in the field already because of the suspected ligament damage we also have a suspicion he might be IR.
So hes turned out int he sand school for 4 hours per day.
We also walking him on the concreate for 5 mins or so each day.
Click to expand...

That sounds great and a good place to start - you could increase the handwalking on tarmac too, but obviously consult with you vet first because of the suspected ligament damage :)
 
Glad you've asked that Lucy as I've been wondering what the black ring following the hoof wall is.
Also, OP did the Farrier paint something on the hoof that might explain the colour change?
 
Yes for the last 18 months he's been hot shod, before that he was barefoot.
Start life as a trekking horse in southern spaid, 2 years barefoot over here then bruised feet put paid to that.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top