Hardening sole - horse has been given 50-50 chance of survival!

"Typical TB feet" can mean that the horse was shod for training/racing before its feet were mature, and hence never had the chance to develop good feet. I know that TBs can manage barefoot, but it often takes quite a long time for all their foot issues to be cured.
 
Orangehorse said:
"Typical TB feet" can mean that the horse was shod for training/racing before its feet were mature, and hence never had the chance to develop good feet. I know that TBs can manage barefoot, but it often takes quite a long time for all their foot issues to be cured.
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Yes but the thing is that you may mean this, but generally people use 'typical tb feet' as an excuse believing that it's genetically programmed into the horse DNA... Which it absolutely isn't, it's all relative to management
 
On the subject of bf feet! Is anyone else having problems due to the wet weather. Or is this a normal cycle for this time of year? This is my first year year bf.
 
The problem I'm having is that I haven't been able to do enough road work with mine. I've needed to get the farrier out far more often than normal because of this.
 
jjsblackhorse said:
On the subject of bf feet! Is anyone else having problems due to the wet weather. Or is this a normal cycle for this time of year? This is my first year year bf.
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Talking to my farrier today, he said that this year there has been a huge increase in abscesses, and other issues, and an increase in lami from people keeping their horses in and feeding more than they normally would due to weather conditions. We were speculating on why, if winter is always muddy, and wet, we are seeing an increase in issues like abscesses, perhaps it's due to the fact that the temperature has been so mild, we've not really seen a frost in Cornwall at all. So yes, everyone has problems in the winter, there are some things that the wet weather will always cause, however, it does seem that it is noticeably worse this winter
 
keeperscottage said:
_HP_ - it is Laminitis Trust approved! What would you recommend? Even my vet recommended Happy Hoof!
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Incredible isnt it that many vets are still catching up in terms of their knowledge about what it takes to manage barefoot horses. Happy hoof isn't a great feed, as it still contains sugar. The laminitis trust need to rethink their recommendation.
 
PoppyAnderson said:
Incredible isnt it that many vets are still catching up in terms of their knowledge about what it takes to manage barefoot horses. Happy hoof isn't a great feed, as it still contains sugar. The laminitis trust need to rethink their recommendation.
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But feed companies pay them money to have the logo on their feed, so it's not really an unbiased recommendation. ;)
 
Queenbee said:
Talking to my farrier today, he said that this year there has been a huge increase in abscesses, and other issues, and an increase in lami from people keeping their horses in and feeding more than they normally would due to weather conditions. We were speculating on why, if winter is always muddy, and wet, we are seeing an increase in issues like abscesses, perhaps it's due to the fact that the temperature has been so mild, we've not really seen a frost in Cornwall at all. So yes, everyone has problems in the winter, there are some things that the wet weather will always cause, however, it does seem that it is noticeably worse this winter
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Vastly reduced movement, feeding the same levels of feed and hays can be high in sugars, stress due to no or reduced turnout?
This questions the belief that abscesses are due to wet conditions.
 
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keeperscottage said:
Thank you for all your replies. Two weeks on from her visit to Newmarket, our mare is virtually sound. She is looking absolutely amazing, too! Only problem is, we've been told to turn her out in the arena, not our waterlogged paddocks, but she chews the fences so we've had to stick a grazing muzzle on her, which sends her into a mega sulk! Vet is coming out to see her next week. She's now on Happy Hoof, Fast Fibre, Blue Chip Lami Light, Global Herbs Rebuilder, Formula 4 Feet plus OH's homeopathic stuff (he's a homeopath). And, of course, we're still using the sugar and iodine mixture on her soles every day. Fingers crossed for her, please!
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Pleased to hear that your mare is comfy and sound, there is some good advice on this thread, and having seen the results of barefoot on typical tb feet, (it was fascinating to see a new 'proper' heel growing down) I have to say it's the route I would take, along with protective padding and booting where needed.

I'd just like to mention though that you seem to be feeding a lot of supplements, Blue Chip Lami light and Formula 4 Feet are both complete supplements and not supposed to fed together as over supplementation may cause more harm than good.

I hope your mare continues to do well, best wishes.
 
I have a 21 yo TBxWB with Cushings. He has shoes on but as his soles are thin, we use Vettec Equipak CS which is a gel pad the farrier applies over a mesh which is applied between the hoof and shoe. It makes a huge difference to his comfort as it really protects his soles.

Vettec also have a product called Soleguard that can be applied to a barefoot sole. Also, NAF Rock Hard is good for hardening the soles if you are looking for an alternative preparation to Keratex.
 
She's looking really good - sound - vet coming to see her on Tuesday. If we're overdoing the supplements, she'll just pee out the excess! Soles are hard - she doesn't respond to pressure as she did previously. Feeling very positive about her! Oh, and she looks just amazing! Wouldn't believe she's almost 23!
 
Kc, so pleased she is doing so much better. Its been good to read all the comments, and helpful too, my lad is 23 and has had some issues with soft thin soles this winter as well, he's also early stages of Cushing's I think. Interesting about the iodine, I've been using the naf version as its not got the formaldehyde in, it does seem to have helped, he's been barefoot now for five years and also retired so happy for him to be comfortable and field sound. I think the wet fields aren't helping and can't wait for everything to dry up. I hope your girl continues to improve and I look forward to reading more about her progress.
 
So vet came out to see Lizzie today. She was pleased with her soles and then asked us to trot her up on the concrete. She's sound in the arena, but we were dreading trotting her on hard ground. Anyway, I need not have worried because was almost 100% sound - not quite perfect, but almost there! Vet was actually smiling - said she'd expected a call from us between hospital visit and now to say she'd gone downhill! But no, she was REALLY pleased with her! Said we're not out of the woods yet and will be interested to hear what remedial farrier has to say in two weeks time but, yes, very pleased with progress! Lizzie was walking very freely with long, long thoroughbred strides. Looks great, too! Fingers crossed for this very special mare!
 
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