Horses shedding their frogs...?

[CassTheCob]

Hi! I read somewhere a while ago that horses shed their frogs at around spring time. Today, when I looked at my cobs left hind hoof, he had little to no frog. Last summer he got a slight frog infection, which I managed to get rid of quite fast. When I saw his frog today, it obviously set off a few alarm bells, but I was wondering if he was just shedding his frog. I didn't think it was an infection because I hadn't noticed anything until now. Does anyone have any knowledge on shedding frogs? When they shed, is there another 'new' frog underneath ready, or does it just grow over time? Are there any side effects? Would it smell like a hoof infection? If anyone has any knowledge on shedding frogs please comment! Thanks!

 

[mynutmeg]

my girl sheds her frog in one go periodically, can occasionally get a little smelly under while it sheds but never had a problem with it and there's always frog underneath it

 

[laura_nash]

I think its fairly common when there has been a change in management or diet (hence common in spring), though also happens at other times such as when the horse / hoof is recovering from something. There is usually a new frog underneath, sometimes it can be a bit smelly if stuff has got in between the two whilst it was shedding. I usually find with mine that the new frog is an improvement over the one that was shed, so generally consider it to be a good thing.

 

[orbvalley]

Mine sheds a frog now and then. If its hanging off I usually just cut it away whats loose as thats what the farrier does, it doesn't hurt. The new ones underneath waiting to come through.