Pics for earlier hoof cracks thread

http://www.hoofrehab.com/Rehabilitations_Pictures.html

OP, have a look down this page to a before and after marked "April 07." I'd say the before pic is similar to what I see on the sole shot of your horse - you can just see that there's a crack there too. The after shot is what you are aiming for. Basically, the weight of the horse should NOT be carried by the wall. It should be spread over wall, frog and parts of the sole, so the wall shouldn't be proud and certainly in my self trimming horse the wall is well worn at the toe giving a natural short break over. On your picture I see maybe an inch of wall flaring out and away from the sole on either side, less so at the toe where it's naturally wearing more. But I'm not a trimmer, and I wouldn't want to try to tell you what needs to be done. All I do with my own is to tidy up and keep his hooves neat - if I was worried about balance I'd get a pro in. What I do know is that the hoof in the picture isn't disastrous by any means, but it does need a good trim by someone who understands hoof function.
 
That makes a huge amount of sense, thanks very much for your help and advice. Hugely appreciated! Farrier currently avoiding my calls.... Asked him to trim and mustang roll on Thursday so we'll see... Fingers crossed.

In an ideal world id make all the changes but I'll do the best the can with what I've got. This thread has been hugely helpful to me- thanks everyone :-))
 
http://www.happy-horse-training.com/barefoot-trims.html

OP, you may be interested in this, especially as the writer is originally from Scotland and went barefoot there. It's a good example of how a barefoot trim is not simply a matter of cutting back the hoof to make it LOOK healthy. If your farrier has never done a natural trim or a mustang roll, I'd be very wary of getting him to practice on your horse. Many UK trimmers don't advocate a mustang roll, and my boy has never had one, just a very slight rounding off rather than leaving a sharp edge. In the USA they seem more common, and are based on studies of wild horse populations. I think you need to be a bit careful because it would be easy to remove too much wall and leave your horse sore.

I've tried to search out a barefoot trimmer in Scotland, and it's clear that there aren't many, but it seems there are a few. Do you know anyone who is successfully barefoot? Do you have a scottish riders facebook page you could ask for help on? It's very sad that you are wanting to do the best for your horses by going barefoot, but are getting no support :-(
 
There's quite a few barefoot trimmers in Scotland. I'm on the East coast though...I will ask my trimmer whom she would recommend in your neck of the woods. From those pics, I don't think your farrier is doing an adequate job (though it's always hard to judge from pics).

6 months of good trimming took my pony from the first pic to the second (both LF), despite a muddy winter. His LH had a huuuuuuuuge crack in it; that was gone after the 6 months.:

LFfrontold.jpg


LFsidenew.jpg
 
Brilliant thanks!

Yes there are a couple of barefoot horses at my yard! Same set up, same farrier etc. but as mine is a youngster the only exercise he's has this winter is in a swamp field where he won't exactly be wearing down much wall :-( the others feet look fine but they are ridden which makes a big difference I guess.

Farrier trimming and rolling on Thursday .... I'll post after pics if anyone would be interested? I'll definitely look at the website, I'd love to have a barefoot trimmer!
 
OP, I've skimmed through and can't see any mention, but how long is it since the horse was trimmed, in those pictures?
 
It must be about five weeks? I've run round the edges with a radius rasp but they are getting done by farrier tomorrow. Tbh I can't quite remember as I've been really unwell and off work but must be about that. How often do you get yours trimmed?
 
I haven't read the rest so don't know if this has already been said, and I would defer to heelfirst if he knows better, but in my experience the small 'hole' at the toe from looking at a sole view is perfectly normal in heavier breeds. So people with horse with the hole but no cracks shouldn't start worrying.
 
good point CP

420893_10152167882955438_1641555234_n.jpg


an old pic but they still occur sometimes and others have def reported in heavier breeds. Def never had a crack either so not sure they are connected
 
saddlesore said:
Sadly hay really isn't an option. I think you're l right though re trim etc. I've been unhappy with it and letting it go as I've used the same farrier for 20 years but he's really not listening :-(
Click to expand...
As a 2 year old Cob I would not be shoeing at all. I would get a BF trimmer to come and see your horse. They are far more in tune with the hoof care and nutrition needed for good hoof growth.
 
ester said:
good point CP

420893_10152167882955438_1641555234_n.jpg


an old pic but they still occur sometimes and others have def reported in heavier breeds. Def never had a crack either so not sure they are connected
Click to expand...
My gelding has a crena and developed a slight crack a few months ago. I suspected infection had got in and a cleatrax soak did the trick, so I assume this was true in his case.
He is a Welsh D type but probably has some heavy in him. However, I think his crena may be due to eroded P3 tip rather than a genetic factor. I would love an X Ray but its not worth the trip from the middle of nowhere as it wouldn't change his management. He's pushing 30 and retired due to being a rodeo horse in the past.
 
Frank is welsh, no corroded P3 tip in his case and he only gets them in front. I think oberon's big chap gets them too.
 
I'm not saying there isn't a genetic factor, as there clearly is in many with crenas. Just my unfounded suspicions in my horse.
 
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