Feet

B

bikina

Well-Known Member
Joined
3 November 2006
Messages
298
Location
London
www.expeditionequus.com
Me again! The horse I would like to buy is currently unshod. He had front shoes on but managed to get them off in the field. The owner has said he will get him fully shod before I bring him home. The thing is, his back hooves are both chipped, about an inch or so, on the left hand side. Is this going to affect him or is this just because he has not been shod? He apparently has hard feet hence not shod...however I'm not sure if this is true as if they were hard surely they would not have chipped? The owner said the farrier has recommended he doesn't need shoes on the back feet because his feet are hard. I am going to get him vetted - will the vet be able to tell if this is true? Any help most appreciated!
 
Vet should be able to spot any hoof problems, most likely just chipped them from not wearing shoes, even hard hooves can chip! I wouldn't be too worried, so long as he's sound and no big cracks coming upwards out of the chips to split the whole hoof? So long as the rest of the hoof isn't affected it shouldn't be a problem. Plenty of horses are fine with no shoes, indeed it's often better for them but if you plan to do lots of roadwork he'll probably need some. Make sure you point it out to the vet so they can check.
 
Both horses I've bought in the past have had shockingly looking feet when they arrived with me - it's amazing what a farrier can do, even the first time they come out! I'm sure the vet will check, but if you're really worried ask a farrier to have a look before you commit to buying, I'm sure they wouldn't charge much.
 
my old horse never had shoes on his hind feet and only had fronts because he was quite sensitive with his front feet, although he never did any road work only hacked in fields, but careful work by the farrier and dilligent hoof care by myself ensured he never had any problems.
 
If you have a farrrier you trust, then I would recomend not having him shod befor he gets to you. Our old girl, many years ago, was bought from a RS/dealer, who agreed to have her shod befor she came to us. When she arrived she was awful to shoe and our old farrier had a terrible time with her, she had recent cuts on her fetlocks where she had been hobbled/cross tied to shoe her. It's worth paying for your farrier to shoe him when he gets to you. She came good with much patience from our old farrier and is still good now she is stiff.
 
if his feet are chipping it sounds like he is due a trim!
thats how horses feet regulate themselves to stop themselves getting too long naturally(which only works if they cover many miles in a day)

i would trust the vet to stop anything.mention the feet to him when you get him vetting and he will give you an opinion on them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top