stones causing holes in sole

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sodapop

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Hi
Just wondered if anyone had any ideas?
My mare has always been unshod as far as I know, I have owned her for nearly 2 years and she has always had a recurring hole in the sole of her off hind where we think she may have had an abscess in the past. She was in very poor condition when I bought her so I have always given her supplements-until about 3 months ago when I moved yards and she got a bit too lively so she has been living on as much hay as she can eat. She is in good condition with a shiny coat. I used a barefoot guy until for no reason that I know of he started letting me down, not turning up and not replying to my phone messages. I am now using the yard farrier, who said my mare had strong feet. Two weeks ago she went lame for the first time because of stones packed in her hole. She is now developing a hole on her front foot and it is developing quite rapidly. I really dont want to resort to shoes but I am really concerned about the lameness and appearance of another hole. I usually manage it by packing with cotton wool until the foot grows back. I have tried keratex putty today but I was so difficult to put it in I dont expect it to still be there in the morning! Has anyone had similar experiences? I think I am too scared to talk to the farrier yet incase he says shoes. If anyone can recommend a barefoot person in the Stourport area that would be great.
Thank you (and sorry for the long post!)
 
Hi i would talk to the farrier and its your horse so you don't have to do what he/she say's but maybe shoe's might help the holes and you can get them removed when her feet are better .
 
OP, If you can get a picture of the existing hole, and the one that is appearing and put it on this thread in NL - http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=516944 - Oberon, Cyptrayes, Trina1982 and others are very knowledgable on barefoot issues, and may be able to help you with your problems, or at least how to word your questions to your farrier. If he is worth his salt he will help you to resolve your problem before suggesting shoeing - my farrier is adament that one of my girls is better off un-shod, even when the vet suggested heartbars. Xrays proved him, not the vet, right!
Good luck xx
 
Thanks for your responses, I will take some photos to put on as suggested. Both of the holes start in the white line. The recurring one tends to stay about 3/4 inch in length while grows out but the new one seems to be longer but staying narrow in the white line.
 
sodapop said:
Thanks for your responses, I will take some photos to put on as suggested. Both of the holes start in the white line. The recurring one tends to stay about 3/4 inch in length while grows out but the new one seems to be longer but staying narrow in the white line.
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Sounds like seedy toe aka white line disease. I've found addressing the infection (soaks to start) and attention to sugar and carb content in diet, especially in grass and hay as well as mineral deficiency resolves this. You need to grow it out and that takes time I'm afraid. Periods each day out of wet and mud to let the hooves dry help as well.

Serious soaks are things like cleantrax but apple cider vinegar solution ( i part a/s vinegar to three parts water for 20 mins) works well too in some cases. I have found cleaning the hole, you may need something like a tiny electrical screw driver to get all the stones out, as carefully as you can helps. Packing with cotton wool squidged in canestan or apple cider vinegar solution, helps keep muck and stones out. I personally prefer this to pastes that harden as it's easy to get out for soaking and changing.

Don't use other types of vinegar btw.
 
Ps.Obviously you wont be able to pack shallower holes, but clean out at least daily and spray with apple cider vinegar or salt water solution. I'd soak weekly with the vinegar solution, if you use cleantrax follow the instructions.
 
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