Hoof opinions please...

[BigGinger]

My horse has been barefoot for about 10 months now after being in remedial shoes for 12months due to a fractured pedal bone, collateral ligament damage and osteoarthritis in the coffin joints amongst other changes. He is sound and in work 5 days a week schooling 45mins/hourly hacks and is now hacking comfortably without his boots.

My trimmer say his digital cushion could improve but it may be that it won't now due to being in shoes so young (ex racer). I think once the lighter nights arrive his his feet will continue to improve when we can hack on more varied surfaces but how do you think they are looking at the moment?

He is on a barefoot friendly diet.

 

[BigGinger]

http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee484/harriety1/Mobile Uploads/image_zps1d09f0ab.jpg

 

[Meowy Catkin]

I think that there is a good chance that the hooves will improve if given the correct stimulation.

 

[BigGinger]

Is there anything standing out to you that could improve at the moment? Its hard to judge myself as they are looking great from what they was first out of heart bars.

I'm not sure if they have done all the changing shape they will do. If that makes sense. And they seem to be working perfectly fine for him, sometimes is a little footy on small stones but is to be expected when hes either in field, arena and a weekly hack on hard ground and so isn't used to lots of stones just yet!

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

I found that managing the feet so that they were kept at the right length walking on a tarmac road was the best thing for them. There should keep improving as long as they get regular exercise on a firm surface.
The heels and the digital cushion will develop further.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

At the moment there is flare and the heels are under-run and weak. The frogs are pretty poor too, but all this should improve with work on surfaces that the horse is comfortable on especially as now you have been able to progress to boot free work. That's great progress in itself. Can you do something with him 7 days a week, even if it's only a bit in-hand on his days off from ridden work?

 

[Ronalda]

... there is flare and the heels are under-run and weak

In the same way that the wall flare will grow out with the assistance of the roll, he needs his foot bringing back under his leg by reducing his heel wall height.

OK, he may be able to do this on his own but why not help him to get this underway.

 

[BigGinger]

Hi, he has turnout everyday so is out from morning to evening so is always moving around on his feet albeit it is on grass and mud at the moment. Or are you meaning why not do some extra in hand work on the yard?

 

[Ronalda]

... do some extra in hand work on the yard?

He may well be able to bring his heel down (and therefore back) with movement on a hard surface but underrun heels can get crushed beyond the point of no return and rasping or nipping them down in stages would assist his self trimming in this area.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

BG - have you seen this lecture about hooves? http://www.thehorse.com/videos/34609/is-the-hoof-smart-adaptability-of-the-equine-foot

 

[BigGinger]

He may well be able to bring his heel down (and therefore back) with movement on a hard surface but underrun heels can get crushed beyond the point of no return and rasping or nipping them down in stages would assist his self trimming in this area.

I will ask my trimmer about this. I do keep thinking is there enough improvement in his feet but in 10months he has probably only just grown a new hoof capsule and so in the scheme of things his feet can change again and his heels were so collapsed when the shoes came off and like pancakes so it's rewarding to see what they can do on their own. However I do think I could be doing more

 

[BigGinger]

He may well be able to bring his heel down (and therefore back) with movement on a hard surface but underrun heels can get crushed beyond the point of no return and rasping or nipping them down in stages would assist his self trimming in this area.

BG - have you seen this lecture about hooves? http://www.thehorse.com/videos/34609/is-the-hoof-smart-adaptability-of-the-equine-foot

I haven't seen this, I will look later. Thank you.

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

The main thing is to get him out and about on a hard surface, as the soft mud/grass surfaces wont re-model the feet.
Depending on his footyness, start off walking in hand on a gravel free surface like a tarmac road, twice a day for ten mins and build up as he gets better. Aim for ridden hack on a gravel free road of 40 mins in about two months at the most. Once you are there you should be near to self trimming, it is no use being half hearted about it, every day and twice a day for short walks and every day for long walks.
The hoof should grow from coronet to ground in about three months.
It is essential he has a full daily mineral intake 365 days a year. Start off with Pro Hoof from progressive earth.
Cut out sugars, increase fibres, add some salt and 100-200gms micronised linseed every day [50gms in summer].
You will see an event line from the changes in diet.

 

[BigGinger]

Hi,
He is on micro linseed and was on pro hoof but have changed to and equivita supp with same spec. He is also fed high fibre/ low sugar/starch diet.

We do hack at least once a week at moment (due to light in week after work) and he's fine without boots now and we go up for 45 mins on Tarmac uneven ground.



He more aless self trims all together now trimmer will just rasp and neaten. Maybe the increase of hack and work on different surfaces will make his feet even better.