Hoofs worn down significantly in 3 weeks, where am I going wrong? any advice please?

[mightymammoth]

(Also in vet)
Hi,

Long story cut short: Back shoes taken off three weeks ago (shod on fronts) He's hacked twice a week for 2 hours through the woods but have to go 20 mins on the road to get there (then back 20 mins on the road).

He's on handful of pure feeds fibre balance, mirconised linseed, and pro hoof supplement (as well as a joint and multi vit) out 24/7. He has only been on the linseed and supplements for a couple of months so I appreciate that he will be yet to get the benefit.

He's become increasingly foot sore on his back feet, I tried to persevere but it just wasn't fair on him as he was obviously uncomfortable to the point he couldn't be ridden.

Shoes back on today and he was immediately happier.Whilst the farrier was putting the back shoes on he commented that his hoofs had worn down a lot, so much in fact that he may struggle to keep the shoes on.

How could they have worn down that quick in 3 weeks? The farrier when he took them off 3 weeks ago deliberately didn't trim them right down to make it more comfortable for him. What am I doing wrong? I'm really disappointed as I wanted this to be the first step towards him being unshod.

Any thoughts please? Thanks

 

[maggiesmum]

So working through one point at a time..

Not all horses are ok with the pure feeds it is unfortunately trial and error, you could also be doing more harm than good by feeding a multi-vit alongside the pro hoof (assuming) its Pro- Earth's pro hoof that you're feeding? Its meant to be a vit/min supplement in its own right.

3 weeks sounds about right for the point where some horses go backwards for a short period of time, initially they generally do ok then they start to feel their feet, I'm not sure there is a definitive answer as to why but there are theories about blood flow returning to the feet (similar to the pins and needles you might get after sitting funny) it does pass but some horses may need either hoof boots or to avoid rough terrain until it does.

Bare feet will always be shorter than shod feet, the farrier needs plenty of wall to nail to, a bare foot doesn't need that excess wall and so will wear itself to its own preferred place (providing it isn't being overworked on an abrasive surface and wearing faster than it can grow) so I wouldn't be disappointed about his feet wearing short, its probably (hard to say without seeing them) perfectly normal.

As for the why - how much grass is he getting? Hay or haylage?

 

[ihatework]

Do you think that possibly 2 hours hacking is just too much to start with?

What about doing 3-4 15-20 minute road hacks per week just to get him used to things for the short term, then if you want to go out for longer use hoof boots until he has hard feet.

 

[mightymammoth]

Do you think that possibly 2 hours hacking is just too much to start with?

What about doing 3-4 15-20 minute road hacks per week just to get him used to things for the short term, then if you want to go out for longer use hoof boots until he has hard feet.

Yes could be to long, I think I will leave it a few months until the supplements get into his system then try again with hoof boots, thanks

 

[mightymammoth]

So working through one point at a time..

Not all horses are ok with the pure feeds it is unfortunately trial and error, you could also be doing more harm than good by feeding a multi-vit alongside the pro hoof (assuming) its Pro- Earth's pro hoof that you're feeding? Its meant to be a vit/min supplement in its own right.

3 weeks sounds about right for the point where some horses go backwards for a short period of time, initially they generally do ok then they start to feel their feet, I'm not sure there is a definitive answer as to why but there are theories about blood flow returning to the feet (similar to the pins and needles you might get after sitting funny) it does pass but some horses may need either hoof boots or to avoid rough terrain until it does.

Bare feet will always be shorter than shod feet, the farrier needs plenty of wall to nail to, a bare foot doesn't need that excess wall and so will wear itself to its own preferred place (providing it isn't being overworked on an abrasive surface and wearing faster than it can grow) so I wouldn't be disappointed about his feet wearing short, its probably (hard to say without seeing them) perfectly normal.

As for the why - how much grass is he getting? Hay or haylage?

yes it is the pro earth one, thanks for that info I will look into it I didn't realise it was a mult vit as well. The multi vit I have been feeding is dodson and horrell equibites.

He is getting not hay or haylage he is on grass 24/7 the grass is decent but shared with another 10 horses and 20 cows so its not that OTT? Thanks

 

[dressagelove]

It is unlikely that you could take the shoes off and expect them to do the same amount of work they were doing before straight away. 3 weeks is just not long enough to let the hooves start working properly.

Either drastically reduce the amount of work you are doing, or use hoof boots. Not surprised the poor lad is sore!

 

[cptrayes]

I'm another one for too much work too soon if he is sore. Short feet aren't a problem, sore ones are though.

Don't let that stop you checking out his diet though, and if this carries on try testing him with a couple of days off the grass completely. If that makes him more comfortable then you'll know he has a problem with too much of it. It will normlly show in 48 hours if it is the grass.

Meanwhile, boots for half your hacking sound like the answer here.

Some horses take much longer than others to kick-start foot growth to match wear. I have to be very careful with my hunter not to let him down for so long during the summer break that his feet stop growing fast enough to cope with all the work I want him to do in August before the season starts.

 

[mightymammoth]

I'm another one for too much work too soon if he is sore. Short feet aren't a problem, sore ones are though.

Don't let that stop you checking out his diet though, and if this carries on try testing him with a couple of days off the grass completely. If that makes him more comfortable then you'll know he has a problem with too much of it. It will normlly show in 48 hours if it is the grass.

Meanwhile, boots for half your hacking sound like the answer here.

Some horses take much longer than others to kick-start foot growth to match wear. I have to be very careful with my hunter not to let him down for so long during the summer break that his feet stop growing fast enough to cope with all the work I want him to do in August before the season starts.

thank you I will invest in some boots so I'm prepared for taking his shoes off again in a few months