Is a farrier always to blame for corns?

[floradora09]

I'll try and keep this to the point because I have a tendancy to ramble

So my horse has pretty under run heels that grow under rather than down (before people jump on me, he has no shoes over the winter to let him recover but he is shod all summer). Was never a problem until last summer he was shod by a temporary farrier and 3 weeks later developed a corn (he is on a 4wk cycle, and he came up with the corn after eventing on firmish ground). Usual (good) farrier back, blamed the temporary farrier for not cutting back his heels enough and burning away too much wall as he was hot shod (usually cold).

Over winter took off shoes and his feet were looking good this spring.

Usual farrier moved away, so since spring have been using a different one. Have been pleased so far, until at just about 4wks we evented on hard ground, he comes up with a corn that evening. Pretty much deja vu of last summer!

Farrier blamed hard ground, so ok fair enough, but I wouldn't have run if the ground was that bad. But also I did notice the heel looked quite underrun as he was cutting it back, so could argue that if it hadn't been putting pressure on then hard ground wouldn't cause a corn.. but then again he was due to be shod..

Not trying to blame farrier or anything, but it is frustrating that it's happened again and I'm just a bit wary of perhaps my horse isn't being shod in the way he needs to be? Thanks

 

[Oberon]

Corns are caused by excessive pressure.

You can get them by very badly overlaid bars in a neglected hoof - but it is more commonly a problem caused by shoes.

Sounds like the hoof is unhealthy and they're having to do the best they can with the hoof in front of them.

Heels run under when the frogs don't get enough pressure/stimulation.

 

[Pale Rider]

Corns are caused by excessive pressure.

You can get them by very badly overlaid bars in a neglected hoof - but it is more commonly a problem caused by shoes.

Sounds like the hoof is unhealthy and they're having to do the best they can with the hoof in front of them.

Heels run under when the frogs don't get enough pressure/stimulation.

^^agree^^

 

[floradora09]

Sounds like the hoof is unhealthy and they're having to do the best they can with the hoof in front of them.

Heels run under when the frogs don't get enough pressure/stimulation.

Thanks for that. I agree with you, although was hoping that his mini foot rehab over the winter would be enough to maintain his feet over the summer, until next winter.

Guess I'll just have to take it as one of those things, and keep him going until our last event in october! Now I know he can cope pretty well shoeless in winter I might look into getting some front boots this time round to keep him working a bit longer without shoes so his feet are in better stead next year.

 

[Oberon]

I'd give him 9 months without shoes if you can, off season. And then shoe just when you need to.

Taking the shoes off but still keeping him moving will replace the hoof capsule quicker than just roughed off - thus grow in a prettier hoof that works better.

The mini rehab is an excellent idea and that may work for a hoof that is in reasonable shape - your boy may need a bit longer if his hooves are in rough shape to start with .

I'd like you to use glue on boots next season....I want someone to trial the studded glue-on boots
http://www.strideequus.com/

 

[floradora09]

I'd give him 9 months without shoes if you can, off season. And then shoe just when you need to.

Taking the shoes off but still keeping him moving will replace the hoof capsule quicker than just roughed off - thus grow in a prettier hoof that works better.

The mini rehab is an excellent idea and that may work for a hoof that is in reasonable shape - your boy may need a bit longer if his hooves are in rough shape to start with .

I'd like you to use glue on boots next season....I want someone to trial the studded glue-on boots
http://www.strideequus.com/

Wow they're funky! Looking at them though, I'm doubtful you can get 'normal' studs in, as they look to have special threads and only do road nail studs. After my last event in october I'll start again as I did last winter with a couple of weeks out in the field to get him used to not having shoes on, then pick up the gentle work again. Last year we were putting fronts on again by about January, as I was wanting to start doing proper work with him again and his feet weren't ready. Now I know how much his shoe holiday helped him, I'll look into getting a pair of boots, to see if he'll be comfortable to stay without shoes until spring..

 

[Oberon]

Wow they're funky!

Exactly