Horses feet not been trimmed for 6 months

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Rusky

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I have been ill and unable to cope with a farrier visit so my horses feet not been trimmed for 6 months. Will they be ok?
 
Totally hose dependent. I have had one that would be fine probably as all the farrier ever did was a quick rasp. My old pony once went about 4 months without a trim and got a crack that has been there ever since, never gets worse but will never grow out either. I stupidly turned him away into a huge field one summer and he went completely feral.

I hope you are better now.
 
poiuytrewq said:
Totally hose dependent. I have had one that would be fine probably as all the farrier ever did was a quick rasp. My old pony once went about 4 months without a trim and got a crack that has been there ever since, never gets worse but will never grow out either. I stupidly turned him away into a huge field one summer and he went completely feral.

I hope you are better now.
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Thank you.
 
How on earth can anyone answer this question? Has the horse been stood in a stable for six months or up to it's hocks in filth or mud or regularly exercised on firm ground.the horse could be in desperate need of care or all ok. The only person who knows the answer is a farrier,ring one right away and make an appointment.
 
Backtoblack said:
How on earth can anyone answer this question? Has the horse been stood in a stable for six months or up to it's hocks in filth or mud or regularly exercised on firm ground.the horse could be in desperate need of care or all ok. The only person who knows the answer is a farrier,ring one right away and make an appointment.
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Thank you for your very sensible reply, now I'm sorry I posted in the first place.
 
I'm sorry you've been ill.

Some horses will cope fine and regulate themselves, some would be permanently damaged and some would have overgrown feet that can be recovered with a few rounds of trimming. What do the feet look like, Rusky?
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What is making you post here rather than just calling the farrier? Are you worried he'll report you as a welfare case (he won't) or is it that you still can't cope with a visit?

Just get the farrier. The growth will be speeding up now so get them back in balance.
 
My little pony came to me without having seen a farrier for about that long - and right in the middle of that first lockdown too.

Hers weren't too bad and hoof growth tends to slow down over winter so if you can get a trim now you might be ok.
 
If the horse has been living mainly outside he’ll probably be ok, but it’s impossible to know without having a look or knowing the environment he’s been in. Native ponies / horses living free certainly don’t see a farrier every 6/8/10/12 weeks and their feet usually self regulate because they’re moving about and cover a variety of terrain. It’s not a good idea to leave feet without attention for long periods of time but if you’ve been I’ll certainly not something worth beating yourself up about. Perhaps consider finding someone you can trust to come and help a couple of times a month just so you all get into a routine.
 
Rusky said:
Thank you.
I have been able to look them over and they don't seem to have grown much and I can't see any real issues. Obviously the farrier will be able to see properly.
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I'd say you'll be fine then, if they don't look terrible chances are a good check and trim now and there will be no issues. It's not ideal but life happens sometimes.
 
Miss_Millie said:
Given that feet should be trimmed every 6 weeks on average, probably not. Do you not have a friend who can stand with horse whilst they're trimmed?
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I don't think I've ever had an unshod horse trimmed every six weeks. Some are slow growing and growth can rates vary through the seasons, I book the farrier when they look like they need doing.
 
They don't tend to grow much over the winter but as everyone says, it depends on the horse and how its kept. One of my little rescue Welsh ponies hasn't had her hinds touched in 6 months (because she kicks if you go anywhere near them) but they look absolutely fine, I think I've only trimmed her fronts once or twice too.

If they look alright, they probably are alright OP.
 
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