Poor conformation causing an issue in barefoot pony

[Tarragon]

Hi All, I would appreciate some advice.
My pony is kept barefoot and is ridden almost daily. He is pigeon-toed and consequently wears his hooves out unevenly, otherwise, he has excellent quality horn and good general hoof health.
The issue I am trying to address is that he has a small section of about 1 inch in length on the outer wall of the front hoof most affected by the imbalance which collects little stones. I was hoping that a good hoof-friendly diet and good trimming would resolve it but it is very stubborn and has not improved much over the last year. I do have Explora Magic boots that I can use while it is a problem, but it is a shame that I have to use boots if all other indications are that he is fine without. I would love to know if it is something that can improve with time and anything I can do to help it improve, or something that I will always have to live with. I use hoof stuff and field paste regularly. He is fed Simple Systems Timothy Chop, meadow hay grass pellets and total eclipse and is otherwise field kept. .

 

[Landcruiser]

Are you able to add a photo of what you mean? Is it an area of separation of the hoof wall?

 

[Tarragon]

I will try and get a decent photo in the morning. Thank you

 

[Tarragon]

It is just this section marked in red. All the other hooves are OK. You can see how the frog has been squished over. He has had thrush but I am on top of it and no traces now. I just would love to know if it is a diet thing, or a trimming thing, or something that will happen as he loads so unevenly.

 

[smolmaus]

Posting to follow mostly, we have a v similar issue. It is getting better with a different farrier (slowly) but as she is kept on gravel hard standing it is a pain in the bum!

 

[Landcruiser]

I would also strongly suspect it's a loading issue.

 

[Tarragon]

I would also strongly suspect it's a loading issue.

If it is a loading issue (and I think I agree with you), what is the best approach to address? Is there anything I can do?

 

[Highmileagereindeer]

My barrel chested cob is the same. Be extra vigilant about thrush around the heel area. Once the heels dry out and start to open and drop, mine loads a lot more evenly. Yours may improve if you can get the heel crack to start healing.

 

[sbloom]

If it is a loading issue (and I think I agree with you), what is the best approach to address? Is there anything I can do?

Bodywork, postural groundwork ie looking at healthy versus compensatory movement patterns, plus trimming and diet. As with most things with horses it's multifactorial.

 

[ycbm]

It is just this section marked in red. All the other hooves are OK. You can see how the frog has been squished over. He has had thrush but I am on top of it and no traces now. I just would love to know if it is a diet thing, or a trimming thing, or something that will happen as he loads so unevenly.
View attachment 155169View attachment 155170View attachment 155171

He looks like his toes are pointing outwards, not pigeon toed, which is inwards?

It's difficult to know with seeing a photo of the whole of the legs and chest, but if you could work on opening up his chest then his elbows will get wider and that should straighten up his feet at least partly.

There's lot that can be done with front legs because they aren't attached to the skeleton by anything except soft tissue.
.

 

[maya2008]

In my experience, if you have a movement issue causing what would be uneven hoof wear…then unless you correct the movement problem, trimming the hoof as ‘standard’ causes more harm than good, as they then cannot land ‘flat’ given how they move their legs. I have had a couple where it was just best to let them trim themselves and tidy it up rather than asking the foot to conform to an ideal shape. Eventually we got to a better place (and shape) but that was because the movement had changed, not because the hoof was forced into that shape before the horse was ready.

I would work hard on the posture.

 

[Gloi]

Hi All, I would appreciate some advice.
My pony is kept barefoot and is ridden almost daily. He is pigeon-toed and consequently wears his hooves out unevenly, otherwise, he has excellent quality horn and good general hoof health.
The issue I am trying to address is that he has a small section of about 1 inch in length on the outer wall of the front hoof most affected by the imbalance which collects little stones. I was hoping that a good hoof-friendly diet and good trimming would resolve it but it is very stubborn and has not improved much over the last year. I do have Explora Magic boots that I can use while it is a problem, but it is a shame that I have to use boots if all other indications are that he is fine without. I would love to know if it is something that can improve with time and anything I can do to help it improve, or something that I will always have to live with. I use hoof stuff and field paste regularly. He is fed Simple Systems Timothy Chop, meadow hay grass pellets and total eclipse and is otherwise field kept. .

I have found that using hoof Armour on that sort of area keeps the llitle stones out and the hollow grows out.
Shhh.. don't tell anyone but epoxy resin will also work though it doesn't set as quickly.

 

[Gloi]

.

 

[Cherisheddust]

You "may' be beating yourself up over nothing here. Is this normal wear for him? You sound like you're on top of thrush, so important. Have a dig around, make sure there's no grit routinely wedged up there. Wire brush is good. Fill the gap with Golden Hoof paste, cheap and very effective. You may have to have a little rasp around between trims. Ask your trimmer for guidance there. Otherwise, if he is sound on all going, has grip and is happy. It could be function over beauty (or is it the other way round... you know what I mean, I'm sure). Nature doesn't do perfect. If the body isn't perfect, the feet can't be. Look at the heels on our boots..rung over to one side? I bet! x

 

[Tarragon]

Well, I was thinking that if it is down to me working on his posture and way of going, there could be a problem, as that depends on my skills as a rider! I have been working on just getting him going as first year of being backed (aged 7!) with plenty of hacking, so perhaps 2025 will be the year of finesse and schooling - for both of us!

 

[Tarragon]

You "may' be beating yourself up over nothing here. Is this normal wear for him? You sound like you're on top of thrush, so important. Have a dig around, make sure there's no grit routinely wedged up there. Wire brush is good. Fill the gap with Golden Hoof paste, cheap and very effective. You may have to have a little rasp around between trims. Ask your trimmer for guidance there. Otherwise, if he is sound on all going, has grip and is happy. It could be function over beauty (or is it the other way round... you know what I mean, I'm sure). Nature doesn't do perfect. If the body isn't perfect, the feet can't be. Look at the heels on our boots..rung over to one side? I bet! x

I am still trying to work out what is normal for him! He came with pretty poor feet as had been conservation grazing for first 5 years of his life and was unbacked. He had split hooves, thrush and flare. Getting him going under saddle has been a bit of a trail on its own, and hasn’t been straightforward. Always difficult to know what the underlying cause of issues could be.
And yes, as a person who walks with toes out, my heels are always worn unevenly!

 

[iknowmyvalue]

Conformation definitely has an effect, as well as loading pattern etc. Pepsi is a little bit confirmationally wonky behind (toe out) and it reflects in his feet.

Interestingly, he used to have VERY uneven loading behind which caused pretty sheared heels. Since we medicated his hocks, they’re so much straighter because he loads more evenly. He was never lame, even on flexions but didn’t bring the RH through straight which was the reason he had the workup in the first place. I’m not saying yours is not sound, but hopefully if you can correct posture and get him loading evenly it might start to correct

 

[Cherisheddust]

I am still trying to work out what is normal for him! He came with pretty poor feet as had been conservation grazing for first 5 years of his life and was unbacked. He had split hooves, thrush and flare. Getting him going under saddle has been a bit of a trail on its own, and hasn’t been straightforward. Always difficult to know what the underlying cause of issues could be.
And yes, as a person who walks with toes out, my heels are always worn unevenly!

Sounds like you like a challenge! He's had plenty of time to himself, trundling along and making his own body his way (like us!). If he has been a bit compromised in his feet for a while, thrush etc, it's only natural that he would develop a way of going that would be for his comfort. It will take a while for his feet and muscles to adjust. I've dealt with areas of stretched white line before. They soon grow down and tighten if you can pick the grit out and fill the gap with, my go to, Golden Hoof mixed to a thick, rollable paste. It maybe his go to, when things aren't quite right for him. He's growing the foot he needs right now. I wouldn't be too worried, given everything you've managed with him so far. Been a bit of a journey for you both.

 

[sbloom]

Well, I was thinking that if it is down to me working on his posture and way of going, there could be a problem, as that depends on my skills as a rider! I have been working on just getting him going as first year of being backed (aged 7!) with plenty of hacking, so perhaps 2025 will be the year of finesse and schooling - for both of us!

It 100% doesn't, though we can all work on our understanding and abilities with riding of course

I shared this today https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1112236014248277&set=a.506075991530952, a good thing to ponder. I see the difference it makes...and I recommend this group https://www.facebook.com/groups/185219844520695 to my customers, don't be intimidated, just shift mindset and explore....

And yes, when we medicate joints unless we tackle the way they've been moving then you can guarantee something else will be a problem not too far down the road, they need time and direct help to move in healthier ways.

 

[Tarragon]

This year I got distracted with the Hack 1000 challenge. I am going to make it, but only just! I will use 2025 to take the pressure off getting the miles in and spend more time on the basics. My favourite trainer follows French Classical trainer Philippe Karl, and while we are not the usual sort of combination they see we will give it a go.
I will use the hoof boots for a bit longer to reduce the risk of getting the stones trapped, work on posture and see if that helps.
Thank you all for your help

 

[maya2008]

Well, I was thinking that if it is down to me working on his posture and way of going, there could be a problem, as that depends on my skills as a rider! I have been working on just getting him going as first year of being backed (aged 7!) with plenty of hacking, so perhaps 2025 will be the year of finesse and schooling - for both of us!

My son is 12 and a typical boy (so not quite as interested in the mechanics of riding as he should be). To fix the posture of his mare he has simply taught her to go in an outline, ridden her consistently from leg to hand and done some basic schooling (circles, transitions). Her whole body shape has changed as a result. So I would say if you can school the basics - prelim level…you can make a difference.

 

[Tarragon]

Had a lesson today (first in a long time) and got lots to work on. Wonky pony is wonky in lots of ways. Very flexible and mobile and definitely not straight and balanced. So, lots to work on. Rather over faced with how much I don’t know and how much I need to do, but trainer is excellent and I am willing to learn. I did suggest that my trainer could ride him as part of each session and help him with clearer instructions while I am learning as I do feel that I am not helping. Nobody else has ridden him yet but she did help me in the backing process so already knows his quirks.
This is going to be a long road I feel!

 

[sbloom]

Did you manage to get into the FB group I suggested? It really will help with your understanding, observation and handling as well as with your pony's actual posture and way of moving. Great that you've got hands on help too.

 

[Tarragon]

I have joined
It all fits in with what I did in my first lesson. Slow the walk down so he can concentrate on his feet placement (and I can cope with all the new information I have!)

Did you manage to get into the FB group I suggested? It really will help with your understanding, observation and handling as well as with your pony's actual posture and way of moving. Great that you've got hands on help too.