Hoof Geeks; Can anyone tell me what these bare hooves are doing?

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Scarlett

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Evening all :)

Just uploading the pics I took after my trimmers visit yesterday and I'm noticing some quite considerable looking changes to the soles of my boys feet since the last pics were taken just 3 or so weeks ago. I didn't get the chance to talk to my trimmer about it as my Vet was there at the same time to see my other horse and I got distracted.

Can any of you lovely feet people have a look and see if you can explain to me what they are doing?

Mid-October... Near Hind...
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Yesterday...
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Mid-October... Off Hind...
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Yesterday...
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I apologise now if this seems like a stupid question to those in the know but I'm interested in what his feet are doing and why...

Diet has changed slightly in the last week, other than that he is still on Alfa A Oil and Re-leve plus Omega Rice, Linseed and his minerals, plus he now gets Winergy Growth for weight gain. He wont eat soaked feeds so FF, Speedibeet etc all out. Feet are good bar an upset a couple of weeks ago when he was getting too much alfalfa and his legs became swollen. He's getting more hay than before but that's on top of his haylage, not instead of.

I can give more info/pics if required... :)
 
All but yesterdays near hind?? Think I detect a little bit of thrush which might explain the odd ouchiness on sharp stones, just my observations.

I'm a novice hoof geek so I'll leave the CC to Oberon
 
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Looks like the hooves have shortened overall but it also looks like the frogs have lost some toughness, hidden inside the heels and the bars have grown around to protect them.....has there been any thrush or reduction in movement recently?

I might add that it's guess work via photos and it's all relative if the horse is sound and happy :).
 
The October pics were taken about 14 weeks after his previous trim, I doubt his feet would still look like thay had been trimmed after all those weeks? He tends to shuffle on his hinds a bit, I wouldnt be surprised if they were wearing from the way he moves...
 
I can't see very well because of the sun/light in the last pic,but does he have a bit of white line separation going on?? Really can't tell if it is or just shadows because of the light in pic.Mine has this at the mo and it happens once or twice a year with grazing changes.

Not much of an expert I'm afraid,and overall they don't look too bad to me (apart from the last one but as the light is glaring could just be that).If he's happy enough then wouldn't be overly concerned.

Only thing i would comment on is you mention changes a little while ago but not being a problem now,am sure you are aware but it can take a while for stuff to come out in the feet,so if you do have any issues it still could be as a result of changes from before.
Like I said sure you know that but was just something that jumped out at me from your post.
 
Oberon said:
Looks like the hooves have shortened overall but it also looks like the frogs have lost some toughness, hidden inside the heels and the bars have grown around to protect them.....has there been any thrush or reduction in movement recently?

I might add that it's guess work via photos and it's all relative if the horse is sound and happy :).
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Thanks, no thrush that we have seen but less movement due to weather conditions a possibilty. Will continue with his workload and see what changes next...

Cheers :)
 
devonlass said:
Only thing i would comment on is you mention changes a little while ago but not being a problem now,am sure you are aware but it can take a while for stuff to come out in the feet,so if you do have any issues it still could be as a result of changes from before.
Like I said sure you know that but was just something that jumped out at me from your post.
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That's a very good point. He didn't get footy when his legs filled but this could still be connected...
 
Scarlett said:
Thanks, no thrush that we have seen
Cheers :)
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When you see black in the pics, that's usually the start of it and surprisingly, even at this stage can make them a bit tender.
Before I took my lads shoes off over six years ago, my farrier and my vet said my horse didn't have thrush but looking back, his frogs were badly affected. If there is even a slight whiff of sweaty feet on the hoof pick, or any sooty looking crevices, you have a bit of thrush.
 
muff747 said:
When you see black in the pics, that's usually the start of it and surprisingly, even at this stage can make them a bit tender.
Before I took my lads shoes off over six years ago, my farrier and my vet said my horse didn't have thrush but looking back, his frogs were badly affected. If there is even a slight whiff of sweaty feet on the hoof pick, or any sooty looking crevices, you have a bit of thrush.
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Thanks for that - I might treat him for it anyway then and see.
 
It looks like compacted sole is gradually being chipped/worn away to me.

Oh and the heels are moving back towards where they should be.
 
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amandap said:
It looks like compacted sole is gradually being chipped/worn away to me.
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Me too. My first thought was that bars looked more prominent because a fair bit of sole infill had just exfoliated. I notice a bit of that at this time of year... the concavity changes between summer and winter, I suspect because the ground at this time of year is much softer and so they need more grip, whereas in summer, soles can appear thicker but flatter. The extra sole just comes off when it's no longer needed.

If he's sound over everything bar pointy gravel, you're doing something right :)
 
That's really interesting re the sole exfoliating, I will keep an eye on them and see how they look in daylight at the weekend after a week of work in the sand school...

Thanks again :)
 
cptrayes said:
I agree :D Quite normal. Interesting, isn't it?
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It's blooming fascinating! I'm becoming obsessed with staring at feet... I have another TB who's awful contracted heel is beginning to 'bloom' and I find myself looking at it every day, picking it up, poking at it. Oh and spending hours comparing pictures of their feet. I need locked up.
 
Scarlett said:
It's blooming fascinating! I'm becoming obsessed with staring at feet... I have another TB who's awful contracted heel is beginning to 'bloom' and I find myself looking at it every day, picking it up, poking at it. Oh and spending hours comparing pictures of their feet. I need locked up.
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You're joining the hoof geek club that's all, it's a steep learning curve ;)
 
Ive got one doing all sorts of weird things atm and nothing has changed :confused: Im gonna start a photo album me thinks its rather interesting

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