Massive 'cuticles'?

[noblesteed]

My horse is barefoot on hind feet.
We have had very dry weather but since it has been wetter this week he seems to have developed massive 'cuticles' under his coronet bands. They are a few mm thick. Is this normal and am I being daft or is it something to worry about? I have never noticed them before but my sharer had a bit of a panic about them yesterday!

 

[kezimac]

its the periople - its fine dont worry!

 

[merlinsquest]

Yep.... perfectly normal.... they just get soggy and look more noticeable when wet weather is prolonged

 

[noblesteed]

Thank you for putting my mind at rest! I thought as much! It must have swelled in the wet. It gets quite sharp in the summer when dried out. I think perhaps due to his hind feet being barefoot therefore having better circulation etc they are thicker on the hinds than fores?

 

[Andalucian]

barefeet gain proper stimulation through movement and concussion making them grow faster than shod feet. That's why they look different as the periople stretches down to protect the new growth whilst its keratinising.