Forging, what can you tell me about it?

[Sarah1]

Hi
Following on from my post earlier re my gelding uneven/unbalanced trot, please could I pick your brains once again!?!
What can you guys tell me about forging? Why do horses do it? What causes it? Can it be corrected? If so can it only be done thro shoeing or can training help?
Any info appreciated
Thanks

 

[Roody2]

my understanding is that it is an unbalanced thing or a sign of a slightly weaker horse.

Mine only ever does it when I really push her in trot - most of the time she doesn't do it when ridden but only on the lunge.

It is basically the toes of the back feet clipping the toes of the front feet kind of like over-reaching but not as bad.

I haven't classed the forging mine does as serious enough to actually need 'correcting' but I have found that with more schooling, increased balance and greater engagement of the hind quarters thus freeing up the front end to lift more, she is doing it fairly infrequently now.
I hadn't considered any sort of corrective shoeing as I don't think she needs it.

 

[beaconhorse]

Beacon used to do this on and off. Corrective shoeing in my view is a must to prevent actual over reach injuries, farrier will just set shoes slightly back and roll toes. nothing major. yes training helps the more they learn to balance and work from behind correctly the less it happens

 

[Scribbles]

I never knew this, very interesting. Mine doesn't do it ridden, but when I bring him in from the field, what does that mean?!

 

[Sarah1]

Thanks for your replies guys - that's given me something to think about & I'll def ask my farrier next time he's out

 

[Roody2]

When coming in from the field it is probably because they are not really concentrating and are relaxed - a bit like when (I do this a fair bit) you trip over your own toes as you are walking along!!

 

[Ziggy_]

Ditto the others above. My mare used to over reach badly when I bought her, then as her schooling improved she only forged, and now she doesn't knock herself at all.

Its often seen in horses who are going forward but on the forehand, as they are tracking up but their front feet don't get out of the way of their back feet in time - if that makes sense? The result of which is their back toes tap their front feet and you get that clicking sound.

Schooling is the way forward but good shoeing can help to some extent - although you might find certain horses will always be predisposed to forging due to their confo.

Hope that helps