One poor hoof ??

[Gingerwitch]

My little lad's front hoof has been through the wars to say the least, after almost a year of being lame with a problem put down to the soft structures in the hoof, he then ripped off most of the hoof when he pulled a shoe off.

Now - this hoof appears to be growing noticably smaller than the other... the blacksmith is doing all he can, but says it shows that their is an underlying problem with that leg/hoof that isnt showing it self - YET aghghghgh. By the way horse is SOUND and in full work, and was vet checked only two weeks ago, back is fine and so is his saddle and teeth.

I have put him on some naf pro feet solution, am using old style cornucrescine - on the poor hoof - wondering if to use on the other front hoof to stop any "potential" growth imbalance?
- i have started to massage this leg, and frog on a daily basis, I have dug out my magnetic boots - do these go off by any chance? and am checking out sending him "swimming" - anyone got any suggestions, advice or help?

GW
x

 

[Nocturnal]

I think that sometimes, when a shod horse's foot changes shape, there comes a point where it can't be fixed by shoeing. Have you considered giving your horse some time out of shoes to see what the hoof does by itself?

 

[tallyho!]

It sounds like the hoof was weak as your farrier suggests hence the breakage. I think that the hoof growing smaller is actually the hoof capsule growing closer to the pedal bone and has a tighter laminae which is a good thing, and it is doing this as the structures lower towards the ground have reduced the tearing or flare. Was there any evidence of stretched white line?

I do agree with nocturnal and this is my initial thought anyway... would you be able to show us in a photo?

 

[Zuzan]

Just wonder if the new smaller hoof is more correct than the other 3..... just a thought.. and yes time out of shoes should help.