How often should feet be trimmed?

[Kirstineridesagain]

Wondering how long is too long to leave the hooves without trimming on a mare who recently gave birth. I know what I think but the yard owner thinks differently.

 

[meleeka]

So many variables, the weather, the level of wear etc. Mine get done every 8 weeks, but that sometimes ends up 6 weeks, depending on the growth.

 

[reynold]

Not in the first 10 days to 2 weeks after.

All my foals were introduced to the farrier from the first visit to the mare after foaling. It was part of basic handling to me and also gave my farrier a chance to cast his expert eye over foot conformation and gently pick up front feet.

By second visit for mare (trims done every 7 weeks) I expected that routine picking up of all feet daily was normal and thus the farrier handled all 4 feet from then on.

I never, even with a foal proud mare, had any problems doing this so long as the foal was held in front of the mare at all times.

 

[Red-1]

It is how long is a piece of string as a question.

Mine are barefoot and working and trimmed pretty much every week. When transitioning, they were done a couple of times a week. They could go three weeks but I can tell that the balance is off slightly by then, so don't tend to leave it that long. I trim them myself.

Doing them like that keeps them in balance rather then them getting long then being trimmed appreciably shorter. It also means they don't chip as it keeps the barefoot bevel clean.

 

[tristars]

They grow all the time, it's easier to keep them right by trimming all the time as needed, but growth rates vary throughout the year

To prevent distortion, small cracks, flare and importantly backache, mine

 

[Annagain]

It depends on the horse too. Archie couldn't be shod every 6 weeks as he had very little growth so the nails were going back into the same holes and then his shoes wouldn't stay on. 8 weeks worked for him. When he retired and had his shoes off he was checked every time the farrier was there, which was roughly every month but more often than not only needed doing every 12 weeks.

 

[Kirstineridesagain]

Thanks for the responses. Mare gave birth very nearly two months ago and hooves were trimmed early May. I’m keen for her to have them trimmed as they look long to me so will insist it happens soon.

 

[TheMule]

The foal should see the farrier at 4 weeks and at least every 6 weeks after that. To neglect foal hoof care is to set them up for a lifetime of problems. The mare may or may not need a trim. Through the Summer months I would expect her to need a trim at least every 6 weeks

 

[Kirstineridesagain]

The foal should see the farrier at 4 weeks and at least every 6 weeks after that. To neglect foal hoof care is to set them up for a lifetime of problems. The mare may or may not need a trim. Through the Summer months I would expect her to need a trim at least every 6 weeks

Another good point.

 

[Kirstineridesagain]

I’m tearing my hair out at this point. Please send me strength. Sorry to be cryptic.

 

[Tiddlypom]

You need to get them away from that place.

 

[Caol Ila]

Ditto what Tiddleypom said.

My BOGOF was getting his feet handled by the farrier from five weeks old.

If there are issues with how the legs/feet are developing, they can be sorted in young foals and possibly save you having a horse a with a wonky foot as an adult. Plus letting feet of mare and foal get really long isn't good for them. The foal will also be a much easier character for getting legs and feet handled if you start young.

 

[Kirstineridesagain]

You need to get them away from that place.

Can’t find anywhere. I’m looking.

 

[Kirstineridesagain]

Please send me a message if able to point me in the right direction.

 

[Caol Ila]

Have you tried anonymously posting on the FB livery yards page?

I don't know the yards around your bit of the country at all anymore.

 

[Kirstineridesagain]

Have you tried anonymously posting on the FB livery yards page?

I don't know the yards around your bit of the country at all anymore.

I have. Nothing. I don’t need a fancy place at all, don’t want stabling but we need good off road hacking.

 

[rhino]

For now you just need a safe, appropriate place for the mare and foal where they can receive optimal care. Ideally with somebody with lots of experience with raising foals. Most livery yards are not set up for very young foals. The hacking can come later.

 

[Birker2020]

Wondering how long is too long to leave the hooves without trimming on a mare who recently gave birth. I know what I think but the yard owner thinks differently.

I have Lari trimmed every six weeks but his feet tend to grow quite quickly. He's been shod in front for two cycles which given great results but will probably be every five weeks now.

 

[Beausmate]

One has front shoes on and is done every four weeks, as she grows out the side like a weed. One is doing a bit of roadwork and has rock hard feet, so I'll tidy up and she'll see the farrier at eight weeks and the other will also be done at eight weeks, but I'll possibly trim a bit as needed. Early May is too long, but I think you know this. I hope you can find somewhere soon, OP.