Hoof issues - advice please

Troggy

Troggy

Well-Known Member
Joined
4 February 2003
Messages
657
Visit site
Sorry this is long!

I am after some ideas of what can help my horses feet. To give a brief history of our problems:

• Bought September 2010, feet in poor shape
• Feet started to improve, had no issues with feet/soundness until April 2012, in regular work, hacking/jumping etc
• Feb 2012 pulled shoe off in field (first time he had lost one) and slightly damaged hoof but sound
• April 2012 pulled same shoe off again, foot more damaged this time
• April 2012 pulled same shoe off again, now very foot sore/lame
• Also in April he must have done something in the field as came in with a swollen shoulder, scanned and no tears so ‘bute and allow to heal
• After this issue also had issue cantering on the right rein, not sure if this is linked to shoulder or feet as not ridden him since
• Whilst on field rest for shoulder, he comes in very lame, taken to vets for full work up
• Vets nerve block feet, better but still lame. Block higher up, better but still lame, block above check ligament, sound
• Prognosis is reinjury of check ligament (did with previous owner) and secondary lameness caused by feet
• X rays of feet show slight counter rotation of pedal bone and slightly unbalanced feet, farrier has copies and has discussed with vet
• Told to box rest for 6-9 months, vet came out to scan check ligament, says not as bad as he thought but carry on
• All shoes off while on box rest and casts put on front feet as horn too broken up to get nails in
• 6 weeks later a different vet came out, he had seen scans and thinks that the check ligament hadn’t been reinjured and it was the old injury that was showing up
• Trotted up and lunged for vet and he was only slightly lame, so massive improvement in 6 weeks. Advised could turn out gradually building up to all day and in at night
• Due to foot conformation, the hoof casts can’t be put up to his heels as he would be lame, and he managed to lose these whilst turned out
• Too foot sore without shoes, so is back in bar shoes
• Vet came out with farrier again, slightly more sounds again, now mainly just when lunged
• Advised could put him out 24/7 (better as now hoolying when turned out!)


This is where we are now, he is out 24/7 and shod, however his feet are just breaking up and has already lost a nail (farrier back on Thursday)

He can’t have glue on shoes as his feet are so brittle there’s risk of infection. He is fed Hifi Mollasses free, Formula for Feet (since November 2011) and Coligone

Any ideas on what can be done to help him grow better feet or at least be comfortable. If he pulls off a show this time I really don't know what we will be able to do

The vets are a specialised equine practice and the farrier (AWCF) is also excellent and I trust them both

Thanks
 
Do you have any pictures of his hooves?

Side view and front view from the ground and sole shot.

What are you prepared to do?
 
No recent photos, will take some tonight.

I don't know what to do really, just would like him to grow some hoof! Since I have had him his hooves just don't seem to grow, not sure if there's anything that can help this
 
For a start I would pull the shoes and invest in some boots with thick, soft pads for turnout.

You need to grow in a well connected hoof wall - the key to this is diet and movement.
 
Can you recommend any boots? I have tried a few but can'd find any to fit as his feet are an awkward shape. Also would this be ok with him not having his feet balanced as not shod?

What would you recommend for diet? Movement will be turn out only, he can't be ridden at the moment
 
I would seriously look at his diet. While you don't appear to have him on anything too horrendous, it may not be the best for him.

Firstly I would be VERY careful with his grass intake - treat him as a laminitic -paddock with minimal grass and supplement with soaked hay if necessary.

Secondly If you get your forrage from a reliable source I would get a sample analysed and a diet plan written. This will tell you which nutrients his diet is lacking and able you to balance a diet specifically for him and his needs.

Some things you could try supplementing him with are Magnesium, biotin, brewers yeast and copper. All a quite broadly found to help improve the quality of hoof growth.

While many who are passionate about feet are pretty against using lotions and potions I have found kevin bacon hoof dressing good for helping to support healthy hoof growth. I wouldn't use it long term but it can be helpfull to get you going.

I personally would also remove the shoes. He will be footsore initially so you may want to invest in some boots but he really does have to start feeling those feet to be able to improve them. In the short term I would try and provide him with some soft standing in his turnout area where he can stand if his feet are hurting. lots reccomend pea gravel but shavings or similar would also be good :)
 
The ideal is a forage analysis, following which you would feed minerals balanced to the forage you are feeding. If this is not practical, then there are a few suitable supplements - pro hoof (from Progressive Earth on ebay), Equimins META balance (available to order by phone), and one of the Forage Plus balancers (available from their website). This should be fed in a low sugar base.

Additionally you need to consider how much sugar is in your forage. If you opt for a mineral analysis, this should also tell you the sugar levels. If not, then soaking your hay is a good idea.

Regarding boots, really you need someone to come out and fit some for you. A one off consultation (assuming you want to stick with your farrier) with a qualified trimmer would be of benefit in this regard.

Do not worry about his foot balance for now - your horse is the expert in this regard - not the farrier!
 
Troggy said:
Can you recommend any boots? I have tried a few but can'd find any to fit as his feet are an awkward shape. Also would this be ok with him not having his feet balanced as not shod?

What would you recommend for diet? Movement will be turn out only, he can't be ridden at the moment
Click to expand...

Have you measured his feet? the boot you choose will depend on the shape and size of his feet. My boy is in Boas (when he needs them) as these came up the largest.

What do you mean by his feet not being balanced as not shod? They should (will) be able to balance themselves with the support of a decent trimmer if nec.

I would ensure his diet is as low in sugar and starch as possible.

My boy is on Fast Fibre and micronised linseed with his balanced minerals and some brewers yeast.

I would be tempted to get him off the hi-fi as it does contain alfa- a which some horses are really sensitive too - exibited in crapp feet and or scurfy / itchy skin...

Micronised linseed is amazing stuff - so much so that I can't believe I left it off my list above! get some and feed a mug a day - thats all you need.

re turnout, I'd try him on a track system if possible - this will promote steady movement. look up paddock paradise.

re his hoof care - you may wish to consult an EP if your vet / farrier continue to insist shoes are essential.
 
I added in a small scoop of Seaweed and Rosehip to a handfull of Hi Fi which seemed to help the pony's
I also give some to the TB's, and in addition use Cornucresine hoof dressing ... paying particular attention to the coronet
 
Troggy said:
No recent photos, will take some tonight.

I don't know what to do really, just would like him to grow some hoof! Since I have had him his hooves just don't seem to grow, not sure if there's anything that can help this
Click to expand...

Ok. Hooves grow in response to stimulation and circulation. It is well known that shod hooves are colder (and therefore have less circulation) and are not stimulated via the ground as they don't touch the ground. A shod hoof will grow a whole new capsule in around 12 months. An unshod hoof replaces the whole capsule in around 9 months.

So if you want a new hoof - I would consider (especially for field rest) that you pull the shoes.

However - you have tried this before and had a problem.

So we move onto diet and protection.

Diet - I won't repeat Two Stroke's suggestions as that is excellent advice given. You need to provide enough zinc and copper to be able to create good quality tissue and you need to keep an eye on the sugar intake as that will impair him. Be cautious with alfalfa and 'Laminitis marketed feeds' also. A logo doesn't make it safe!
Being sore and lame when barefoot is a classic example of sick hooves - and that is very commonly kicked off by diet.

Protection - he needs to move to develop and strengthen his hooves inside and out. But he won't move if he is sore or has too little padding under his coffin bone. Look at boots and pads to use for now. You can get good advice from here
http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Barefoo...9874/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1341845280&sr=8-1
http://phoenixhorse.myfastforum.org/about1073.html

I appreciate you trust your farrier and vet but it may be worthwhile finding a decent hoofcare person to consult with and get advice in person - a fresh pair of eyes.....

Troggy said:
Also would this be ok with him not having his feet balanced as not shod?

What would you recommend for diet? Movement will be turn out only, he can't be ridden at the moment
Click to expand...

Shoes do not balance hooves. That is a myth. Humans do the best they can - but that's not the same as allowing the horse to grow hoof in accordance to his own needs. Riding isn't the only exercise he can have - in hand walking over various surfaces (within his comfort) is very beneficial and will stimulate hooves to grow much faster.

I would also recommend you consider ulcers and body issues - two things that are commonly found with long term pathology/pain.
 
Thank you all, certainly a lot to consider. I forgot to mention he is currently unshod behind, and whilst he isn't too sore behind, his feet have broken up quite considerably

Diet wise I have to be careful, he can react quite strongly to certain feeds and turn into a looney! (He is naturally very laid back) I also have a supplement given to me from the vet for feet, I will check the ingredients

Interesting about ulcers, as he is an ex racing TB, I assumed he would, and he also wind sucks occasionally. I have tried nearly all of the supplements out there and the only one that seems to have made him less "girthy" when grooming is Coligone. He displays no other symptoms, when in work he is willing, he holds his weight very well and is a very good doer for his type. He is also bright eyed and shiny. Also linked with pain issues (possibly) I've had his back checked a few times and it also looks like he had a previous pelvis injury but he responds well to treatment and it has never affected his work. With his last owner with whom he did BE, he suffered mild tendon strain along with the check ligament injury.

I have always been wary of sugar and starch, my retired pony (barefoot and fab little feet) has always been treated as a laminitic, so it's second nature (she's on A&P Fast Fibre, but this didn't seem to agree with him before, however I am willing to try it again). He is on a smallish field with another horse and whilst the grass is eaten down, with this weather it's still got some goodness, I wouldn't say he was overley fat but he's the chunkiest he has been, which isn't helped by lack of excercise. We cannot do the track system as the rest of the field is waiting to be cut for hay! While he was on box rest he had soaked hay.

I will look at boots tonight

Thanks for everyone's input
 
This stuff is getting very good reports at both gastric and chronic hind gut ulcers.
http://shop.forageplus.com/epages/es137718.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/es137718/Products/SLH15

The hooves can chip easily and produce weak, low quality wall when the mineral balance is off - and that is happening a lot with the fast growing grass we are having at the moment.

It may be that some gastric disturbance is playing a part in causing unhealthy hoof tissue too?

The hooves are a mirror to the rest of the horse. If they are unhealthy - there will be a reason for it. It's just a case of finding out why.....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top