Gap between hoof and shoe - toe of hind hooves

[Green Bean]

Just a question on others who may have come across this before. My mare's hooves were seen by her farrier this week who she has been with for over two years. I noticed in the afternoon after re-shooing, that there was a gap between hoof and shoe in the curved toe area on both hind hooves. When I contacted the farrier, he said it was from wear due to all the mud. Anyone heard of this before? I have no reason not to accept the answer, but just do wonder about it as my mare has been stabled through quite a lot of all this wet weather.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Seedy toe can cause a gap between the hoof and shoe as the affected bit effectively wears away as it becomes soft, I would ask to look at the hooves when the shoes are off as it's hard to see once the shoe is on.

If you can fit a hoof pick or something in the gap if it scrapes away where the white line is it is probably seedy toe, swan antibac is very good to drip all around the shoe edge and the nail holes it will help get rid of it.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Farrier should have explained why the gap was there and should have been forthcoming with some more information i.e. hoofcare IMO, not just left the client wondering why!

I personally would agree with poster above re. suspecting seedy toe; I've had one struggling with this condition for nearly two years now and wish I'd asked more questions at the start of it all.

You may find a hoof supplement such as Equimins helpful; also a good thing to use is Milton baby sterilising fluid (diluted) to keep the area disinfected. Don't use purple spray; iodine is what is needed (farrier advice).

DO go back to your farrier and ask questions: IME farriers are always in such a rush that they don't seem to be able to stop and explain the why's and wherefore's of WHY they've actually done something. You need to know!

 

[oldie48]

Have you been working more on a surface? If you have, I've seen horses that have a slight toe drag in trot wear away the front of their hooves. FWIW, having stood and watched competition horses working on a surface I've been amazed at how many do drag toes in trot.

 

[FireCracker238]

Farrier should have explained why the gap was there and should have been forthcoming with some more information i.e. hoofcare IMO, not just left the client wondering why!

I personally would agree with poster above re. suspecting seedy toe; I've had one struggling with this condition for nearly two years now and wish I'd asked more questions at the start of it all.

You may find a hoof supplement such as Equimins helpful; also a good thing to use is Milton baby sterilising fluid (diluted) to keep the area disinfected. Don't use purple spray; iodine is what is needed (farrier advice).

DO go back to your farrier and ask questions: IME farriers are always in such a rush that they don't seem to be able to stop and explain the why's and wherefore's of WHY they've actually done something. You need to know!

Please could you tell me what ratio you use when you dilute the Milton?

 

[Green Bean]

Thanks for all the responses. I am a bit puzzled by it all and will certainly attend the next shoeing session to have it all explained properly to me. It is so difficult to discuss it adequately via text with my farrier