Unruly Chestnut

[Frances Ann]

I am leasing a lovely Andalusia gelding from my riding instructor now. Pino has overgrown chestnuts and I like a nicely groomed horse. What's the safest way to reduce the growth? I thought I might try softening up the chestnuts with coconut oil. However, it's getting colder here now and would that be of any use with temps at about the freezing mark lately.

 

[ohmissbrittany]

Petroleum jelly may be better with the temps like they are?

 

[Caracarrie]

I don't know about growth but the farrier will usually trim them if you ask. They are only vestigial toenails after all.

 

[Goldenstar]

Get the farrier to sort them .

 

[milliepops]

yep, unruly chestnuts (and ergots) make me feel queasy bleughhhh.
I get OH to tidy them up with the hoof nippers.

 

[Shay]

Echo that - nip them off yourself with hoof nippers or get the farriers too. There is no need to soften them.

 

[PorkChop]

I do them myself too Just make sure you are careful taking back the ergots, as they bleed, a lot, if you take them too close!