Low heels - hoof questions

[nic83]

Hi

I have had my horse about 5 months, and as we came into the dry weather had a few problems with his feet drying out and cracking up. My farrier had commented the 2nd time he shod him, that he doesn't have a lot of hoof growth. He was orignally shod every 6 weeks, but to allow a bit more growth we tried 7 weeks. there was more growth, but this was when it got very dry and his feet dried out/cracked. As soon as I noticed them drying out I have been moisturising/oiling daily. I also put him on a hoof supplement (formula 4feet) at the beginning of April.

Now, I know that it will take time to improve his hoof quality etc, but in general they are not as dry and cracked as they were 4/5 weeks ago. However, I have noticed something else:

His front right hoof appears to be growing differently to his other feet, and his heel is dropped lower, my friend noticed it, and now it worries me as it is noticeable, yet we have never noticed it before. He is due the farrier in a week or so, so will of course be asking for advice, but should I be worried?

If I have done it right there should be some pics:

Front feet (side view)

the hoof I'm talking about:

Rear view of front feet:

Hope the pics work, its my first attempt! and well done if you got this far, any thoughts appreciated!

 

[spacefaer]

Your farrier is not shoeing with sufficient heel on the shoes to give any support - they need to be longer and wider to give proper heel support

Has he given any reason why he's putting quarter clips on the front feet? It's not unusual - but there is usually a reason for them....

does the left fore match the hind feet? or is the right fore, the lower one, more similar? It looks quite upright and contracted in contrast - I'm just wondering if rather than the right getting lower, if the left is getting more upright....??

 

[nic83]

Thank you for your comment, I will be drawing it to my farriers attention next week. When I bought him my farrier just continued with the shoes as he had them. I didn't really question it.

His hind feet are more upright like the left fore. Its just the right one that is the odd one out.

 

[nic83]

Just a thought, when he was vetted vet did say if anything he was a bit upright but was not concerned and he passed 5* with flying colours which is what makes me think that one is getting lower, than others more upright.

 

[thatsmygirl]

I would also want to see a bit more heel support else your horses feet will suffer and could get colsaped heels. Flat feet are also prone to stone bruises etc

 

[JoJo_]

It was brought to my attention by my physio that my mare's heels were a little low recently so I had a remedial farrier out and he put on some longer shoes to give her more heel support. She is going well on them.