More hoof and hoof boot problems

[stangs]

1) Mind has been completely blown by the various options for padding hoof boots. What thickness/insole would people recommend for a frog-walking horse, soon to be wearing Cavallo Treks?

2) Saw the below when picking out feet today. He’s sound and happy for it to be touched, but should I be concerned? He’s had peeling on the bulbs since I got him, though nothing like this.

Spoiler

TIA. I clearly need to start studying the hoof properly.

 

[meleeka]

I always use computer mouse mats for insoles on boots. They are cheap and you can double up if you need more thickness.

I can’t help with the bulbs, but it could just be because the ground is so wet they look worse. I’d worry about him wearing boots without gaiters though in case they rub there. Could it be an old abscess growing out?

 

[Highmileagecob]

If you use a size one baby's nappy (or size two if necessary) hold the nappy with the front facing you, slip the toe of the hoof into the fold, and smooth the back of the nappy over the sole, it makes a pretty decent sock. Cavallo boots are known for being a bit roomy and this is a quick cheap option until you have worked out a better solution.
From the picture, it could well be an abscess track. Keep it clean, spray with 1% iodine solution and turn him out to move around and keep it draining.

 

[TPO]

Highly recommend this whole website for barefoot help but these blogs are probably closer to answering your OP

https://hoofgeek.com/boots-and-pads-for-rehabilitation/

https://hoofgeek.com/unsung-hero/

 

[stangs]

Thanks all. Interesting re it potentially being an old abscess - he hasn't definitely hasn't had an abscess between July to now, and I don't believe he had an abscess before then, but no way to know for sure.

 

[Fieldlife]

1) Mind has been completely blown by the various options for padding hoof boots. What thickness/insole would people recommend for a frog-walking horse, soon to be wearing Cavallo Treks?

2) Saw the below when picking out feet today. He’s sound and happy for it to be touched, but should I be concerned? He’s had peeling on the bulbs since I got him, though nothing like this.

Spoiler

View attachment 103407

TIA. I clearly need to start studying the hoof properly.

Struggling to see in photo. Is the hole hoof wall or heel bulb. I think soft / holey heel bulbs when on damp ground, is fairly normal. It's not ideal but probably wont cause any problems.

 

[Fieldlife]

1) Mind has been completely blown by the various options for padding hoof boots. What thickness/insole would people recommend for a frog-walking horse, soon to be wearing Cavallo Treks?

I would try lots of options and see how he moves in them. What I have done in past is walked horse on flat level smooth ground, and had a friend crouch at ground level and slow motion film (Iphone) the landings. I look for what set up gives the best heel first landings. So try different pads etc.

I have used sheeps wool, easycare pads, felt, door mat, mouse mat, carpet underlay etc. For one horse I used to glue on frog support pads to pads to go in the boot. Found the cavallo pads useless.

The biggest problem I found is most pads after 1-2 weeks squash flat, or flatten in the areas of pressure.

Pete Ramey talks somewhere about some horses needing frog supports in boots and some needing frog cut outs. You could get some easy care pads and experiment with making your own frog cut outs and see if he likes that.

These are a pretty good starting point - Easycare Comfort Pads (1 pair) - Hoof Bootique The harder the pad the less cushioning but the longer it lasts.

https://hoofbootique.co.uk/new-easycare-comfort-pads/


I'll try and find Ramey article.

 

[Fieldlife]

I would try lots of options and see how he moves in them. What I have done in past is walked horse on flat level smooth ground, and had a friend crouch at ground level and slow motion film (Iphone) the landings. I look for what set up gives the best heel first landings. So try different pads etc.

I have used sheeps wool, easycare pads, felt, door mat, mouse mat, carpet underlay etc. For one horse I used to glue on frog support pads to pads to go in the boot. Found the cavallo pads useless.

The biggest problem I found is most pads after 1-2 weeks squash flat, or flatten in the areas of pressure.

Pete Ramey talks somewhere about some horses needing frog supports in boots and some needing frog cut outs. You could get some easy care pads and experiment with making your own frog cut outs and see if he likes that.

These are a pretty good starting point - Easycare Comfort Pads (1 pair) - Hoof Bootique The harder the pad the less cushioning but the longer it lasts.

https://hoofbootique.co.uk/new-easycare-comfort-pads/


I'll try and find Ramey article.

Boots and Pads (hoofrehab.com)

https://www.hoofrehab.com/BootArticle.htm

 

[Barton Bounty]

Scoot boots do a raised insole for their boots, will fit most boots, might just lift it up enough

 

[PurBee]

The rear frog hole might be an abscess hole - some minor frog abscesses are very quick to burst being in soft tissue with them barely showing lame. My gelding had a rear frog abscess hole this year, yet never was lame, whereas hoof wall/inner sole abscesses will show obviously lame due to it festering within hard hoof wall structures.

Or may be beginning of frog shedding, but that normally is a line ‘crack’ you see at the back of the frog, rather than a hole.

As already advised, try to clean it out and hopefully your farrier can take a closer look and confirm if its shedding or old abscess, and they might try to take off excess as is possible so theres no flaps for dirt/grit to hide in.

I’ve used flexible rubber car mats as emergency foot padding - theyre great! The cheapo ones that are really flexible, not the stiff kind. Theyre cushioning and dont squash flat like the EVO foam boot pads often sold.
Or, if you have loads of spare old neoprene wellies, cut out the neoprene part as foot pads - theyre cushioning too, and you can double them up.