Horse with small feet

[StarcatcherWilliam]

Hi, I am thinking about buying a 5 year old 14.2hh Welsh Cob gelding who is perfect in everyway. However I have one doubt - his feet seem quite small. Is this a conformation fault or is it due to him being shod too young or shod badly? Could it cause problems further down the line? I will be asking my farrier when he comes next week, just wanted some opinions before then (I am inpatient haha).

Thanks

 

[Fransurrey]

One of my ponies has very small feet, even considering he's an exmoor. He wasn't shod at all until he was about 9 years old, so definitely not a shod badly/too young thing. He is difficult to buy boots for (most don't go small enough). Until recently, his feet have been no problem at all (he is now suspected EMS, so feels his feet a bit in times of peak grass growth).

 

[YasandCrystal]

Let your farrier take a look, sometimes it is because the horse has been shod too small and tight and they develop as small foot also boxy too. If this is the case they can be improved through being shod wide to allow for growth, it may mean you could suffer some shoe loss interim.

 

[claracanter]

my 16.2 Tb has pony feet. Not a problem. In fact a benefit, because I can buy him those pink glittery over reach boots for kids ponies. Not that I ever would

 

[soulfull]

I think so long as its natural then it's a benefit. We used to think big feet were best to spread the load. However research in us showed wild horses with small compact feet faired best. Wish I could find article now though

 

[Oberon]

Are the hooves small or contracted?

 

[Janah]

My boy has small feet. He is 14.2hh and has smaller feet than an average 12.2, never caused a problem.

 

[YorksG]

The current Appy has small feet, pretty sure that they are nature rather than nurture They don't seem to cause her any problems. She also has a very wide brow and a tiny mouth, plus I always have to have links removed from the curb chain, as she has a small chin too! None of this causes her any problems and has not been detrimental when showing.