Frog sloughing away?

[HaffiesRock]

I don't know a massive amount about frogs (in hooves) but this is my problem.

Pony has been barefoot for 7 months. Initially his frogs were massive. Trimmer left them be and said they'd adapt to the new bare hoof.

For the last few weeks the frogs had been losing bits (normal?) and today a big chunk has gone from a front hoof. I took a picture but its rubbish. Basically as you look at the frog, one side has flapped back from the middle of the frog towards the heal and will drop off any day now. He seems sound and is not sensitive to me picking it, but it doesn't look good.

We hacked for the first time on Sunday and went over a lot of stoney ground although he coped brilliantly.

Why has it done this and what can I do?

Feel free to ask questions as I'm not sure what info may be relevant. Thanks x

 

[Purple18]

Sounds to me like he's shedding his frog if i'm right it's pretty normal

 

[samlf]

it does sound like shedding, they tend to this time of year. Mine is

 

[HaffiesRock]

That makes me feel better Why do they do it? Is it just getting rid of dead skin?

How long does a frog take to regrow?

Thanks all x

 

[Purple18]

I found this


any horse might shed the frog as an entire piece at this time of year (assuming you live in the northern hemisphere). When the weather turns from wetter to drier it is especially liable to occur.

The frog actually sheds all the time -- in little bits or flakes -- just like all the keratinized parts of the foot. The farrier also trims off some of the frog each time he or she sees the horse. The driest and deadest material, and anything loose, should certainly be removed with each trim. Failure to remove enough dead or "junk" material can certainly make the horse lame.

It is alarming, however, the first time an owner notices the whole frog shedding off at once, because it can look like their whole foot is falling apart. But this is completely normal -- just the horse's body telling you that you might not be taking off quite enough during your trims, or, as I said, it's the frog drying out some with weather change, and then coming loose all of a piece.


this should answer your question

 

[Snipe]

Lmao! Sorry purple, but the idea that not trimming frogs can make the horse lame is absurd and hilarious! Rofl!!!

 

[Purple18]

Lmao! Sorry purple, but the idea that not trimming frogs can make the horse lame is absurd and hilarious! Rofl!!!

this was something i found not something i wrote niether did i say that it was all correct... pick and take what you want from it discard anything else.

 

[PandorasJar]

The frog actually sheds all the time -- in little bits or flakes -- just like all the keratinized parts of the foot. The farrier also trims off some of the frog each time he or she sees the horse. The driest and deadest material, and anything loose, should certainly be removed with each trim. Failure to remove enough dead or "junk" material can certainly make the horse lame.

I disagree with this entirely. I only have flaps removed as they can lead to thrush. Far more damage is caused by too much unnatrual frog removal.

Of all the farriers I know who I'd trust my horses with only one trims the frogs and it's a light trim. There are plenty I wouldn't have within a mile of mine who lame the horses ever time by hacking away at the frog.

 

[Purple18]

Fine no one agree that's fine hold my hands up i don't want fight. i thought i was being helpful..by finding something that might explain clearly not..

 

[Spring Feather]

I suspect, OP, that your horse is living in wettish conditions, either in the field or being stabled overnight OR there is some infection in the frog which is causing it to slough off so dramatically. My horses live in pretty dry conditions and are all barefoot but none of them 'lose frogs'. Mostly my farrier leaves them alone as there is little to take off. My horses live out 24/7 and have varying terrain so any shedding of the frogs are generally worn off in such small amounts it's not noticable.

 

[Clava]

Might be a haffy thing, my haflinger tends to shed a whole layer of her frog and my TB doesn't.

 

[HaffiesRock]

Fine no one agree that's fine hold my hands up i don't want fight. i thought i was being helpful..by finding something that might explain clearly not..

Thank you, that was very helpful. I was a little concerned tonight but feel better now. Makes sense about the dryer weather. We have recently moved to a field on sand so no mud.

Thanks for putting my mind at rest x

 

[Spring Feather]

this was something i found not something i wrote niether did i say that it was all correct... pick and take what you want from it discard anything else.

It's okay, don't get yourself into a tizz I googled your piece and see it was Dr Deb Bennett who wrote it. I don't agree with a fair amount of what 'Dr Deb' writes..