Hoof progress

[McGrools]

Hi, so i’m 11 months in to rehabbing these tb feet.
Thought i would share where we are at and invite any thoughts.
I have waay too much grass this year and horses were footy back in july after i had been away for a week so they have scince been muzzled during daylight hours and in at night to restrict their grazing and progress has been much better as a result.
This little mare is in a fair amount of work. Fine on surfaces,grass, smooth tarmac. But still very ouch on stones.
I boot accordingly but do try to do all jumping, schooling bare.
She is showjump training most weeks.

 

[Highmileagecob]

Improvement from the first set of photos, but evidence of thrush in the heels, and possibly a high heel on both fore feet, although that could be the angle it is taken from. Will she stand with her feet soaking in mild Dettol solution for fifteen minutes a day? Eleven months is early days for any remodelling to take place internally, particularly if she had previously been loading the toes. Just be super observant, and cut back the work if you feel she is not making steady progress.

 

[ester]

I’d expect a bit more improvement in 11 months but they are a definite improvement! Are you treating the frogs? They’d be packed with hoof stuff if they were mine.

 

[McGrools]

I’d expect a bit more improvement in 11 months but they are a definite improvement! Are you treating the frogs? They’d be packed with hoof stuff if they were mine.

Yes i’m a bit disappointed with the pace of progress. She had paper thin soles on front feet, that is hopefully improving. I use plenty hoof armour to give her more protection.
I have used plenty purple spray on the frogs a few months back but not recently as there is no smell and frigs dont appear thrushy in person?

 

[McGrools]

Improvement from the first set of photos, but evidence of thrush in the heels, and possibly a high heel on both fore feet, although that could be the angle it is taken from. Will she stand with her feet soaking in mild Dettol solution for fifteen minutes a day? Eleven months is early days for any remodelling to take place internally, particularly if she had previously been loading the toes. Just be super observant, and cut back the work if you feel she is not making steady progress.

Thankyou for your reply. Here is another angle of rf in regards to high heel? Is this just a case of trimming it down to sole plane? I am wary of taking too much away as her soles are thin x

 

[McGrools]

Thankyou for your reply. Here is another angle of rf in regards to high heel? Is this just a case of trimming it down to sole plane? I am wary of taking too much away as her soles are thin x

 

[ester]

I’ve always found treating frogs improved them even without any thrushy smell and in fairly well established bare feet l. Those clefts need to improve before she can use the hoof properly, they’re not ready enough to really improve the heel area. Does she land geek first in/out of boots? Do you pad the boots?

 

[McGrools]

I’ve always found treating frogs improved them even without any thrushy smell and in fairly well established bare feet l. Those clefts need to improve before she can use the hoof properly, they’re not ready enough to really improve the heel area. Does she land geek first in/out of boots? Do you pad the boots?

no not padded the boots. I think she lands pretty well. By clefts do you mean the rough patches on the frog?
Do you think the heels being high are not allowing the frog to be stimulated by the ground enough?
Many questions xx

 

[ester]

No I mean the deep frog cleft between the heel bulbs particularly LF the rough patches/flappy bits I tend to pull off just so nothing is going on/harbouring underneath them.

If the heels were lower now she’d prob be sore as the rest of the back of the hoof isn’t ready. It’s also why you have quite a lot of bar material as that is doing the support work the frog isn’t yet up to.

My reason for querying the pads was that that can work to generate more frog pressure/stimulate growth but in a way that is comfortable. It would certainly be interesting to do some slow mo vid of landings in/out of boots and poss with pads

 

[McGrools]

No I mean the deep frog cleft between the heel bulbs particularly LF the rough patches/flappy bits I tend to pull off just so nothing is going on/harbouring underneath them.

If the heels were lower now she’d prob be sore as the rest of the back of the hoof isn’t ready. It’s also why you have quite a lot of bar material as that is doing the support work the frog isn’t yet up to.

My reason for querying the pads was that that can work to generate more frog pressure/stimulate growth but in a way that is comfortable. It would certainly be interesting to do some slow mo vid of landings in/out of boots and poss with pads

Thankyou Ester. Little IT Project for me. Slow mo vids. Need a willing body to help
I will continue with thrush treatments for now. I have a red horse wash i will do forthwith and continue with purple spray. Many thanks for feedback. This one isnt easy
This

 

[ester]

You can put your phone on the ground and walk past it

 

[McGrools]

You can put your phone on the ground and walk past it

Top tip

 

[Highmileagecob]

Difficult to be constructive without actually seeing her, but the photo appears to show evidence of wear at the toe and not much at the heel. The deep cracks between the heels should not be there, and point to thrush infection, however, without gentle pressure on the frog, the heel is not going to work properly. Don't despair! Get a pair of men's flip-flops, or foam play mat, and draw round the hoof, cut out a pad and pad the boots. I personally would not be jumping her, and you are correct in thinking that the heels have to come down slowly to reduce the possibility of tendon injury. Are you using a barefoot trimmer or a farrier? Just asked because some farriers do not undertake remedial trimming, only remedial shoeing. Until you get the thrush under control, she is not going to weight her heels due to discomfort. Good luck, it's so worth it when things start to come right.

 

[McGrools]

Difficult to be constructive without actually seeing her, but the photo appears to show evidence of wear at the toe and not much at the heel. The deep cracks between the heels should not be there, and point to thrush infection, however, without gentle pressure on the frog, the heel is not going to work properly. Don't despair! Get a pair of men's flip-flops, or foam play mat, and draw round the hoof, cut out a pad and pad the boots. I personally would not be jumping her, and you are correct in thinking that the heels have to come down slowly to reduce the possibility of tendon injury. Are you using a barefoot trimmer or a farrier? Just asked because some farriers do not undertake remedial trimming, only remedial shoeing. Until you get the thrush under control, she is not going to weight her heels due to discomfort. Good luck, it's so worth it when things start to come right.

Hi, i’m trimming myself so learning on the job. I have had many other barefoot horsea but they’ve all been tough enough to self trim with plenty hacking.
I gave her frogs a good scrub with sole cleanse last night and will continue to treat although they dont really appear thrushy in person, i agree the crack looks more evident on the photo. It is amazing how much more you see when looking at a photo rather than live foot.
Will upload some side pics of her feet.
Thankyou for your feedback

 

[McGrools]

The hind before pics are not as old as the fore feet pics

 

[Highmileagecob]

If you want to take a look at Cavallo's Barefoot Trim video on line, it is a masterclass of a good basic trim. My trimmer recommended it to me during lockdown when she could not come on the yard.

 

[McGrools]

If you want to take a look at Cavallo's Barefoot Trim video on line, it is a masterclass of a good basic trim. My trimmer recommended it to me during lockdown when she could not come on the yard.

Thankyou i will xx