Warm hooves

[Penny Less]

This is probably a stupid question! Two horses stood in stable today, Warmbloods feet felt quite hot when I picked his feet out, so I had a panic, all four feet. However, when he stood outside his stable, they became cooler, although still had some warmth, so thought he must have been standing in the small amount of shavings left . I checked the pony's feet and they were absolutely stone cold. All the other horses I have had cobs and a warmblood have always had slightly warm feet, but never had laminitis. Never had a pony before so not familiar with their feet! So whats the answer , apologies if I'm being thick.

 

[Red-1]

I would only be concerned about warm feet if there are pulses or he hesitates when going on different ground, or he is overweight, or he has access to good grass.


When I did a couple of barefoot rehabs I noticed that feet do change temperature throughout the day, so if the pony is otherwise symptom fee and low risk I would not allow warm feet alone to overly concern me.

If I was at all concerned I would treat as lami though.

 

[Penny Less]

Just had a general google about the cold pony feet and it said its something you don't ever want to have as can also be sign of laminitis? Pony seems fine, all four feet are cold. Panicking about the wrong horse possibly ? Grass has been non existent although just started to grow with the rain we have recently had.

 

[Red-1]

If the horse/pony otherwise appear fine, I would not worry about warm or cold feel.

Raging hot feet with bounding pulses, yes I would worry, and treat for lami. Warm feet with other factors, yes I would act in a precautionary manner.

The feet do have a blood supply, but cool feet are also good for me.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I was just going to say that I would be more worried about the cold feet but if he is otherwise ok, don't worry too much!

 

[Red-1]

Is the pony shod, as I think often shod feet are cooler than unshod?


ETA - or maybe I just don't feel shod ones as much as the unshod ones!

 

[Penny Less]

No neither are shod. I will have to hold myself back till tomorrow and have another feel !

 

[southerncomfort]

My pony had warm feet coming out of the stable this morning but within 10 minutes of standing on the yard they were cold again.

I assumed he'd been lying down with his feet tucked under him.

However, his feet change temperature all the time and it's a bit of a headache as he's a little cob who gets fat on fresh air. I think checking the pulses regularly is probably a better idea although they can be hard to find on very hairy legs!

 

[HappyHollyDays]

My barefoot pony nearly always has warm feet. If they are hot, he is footy or he has pulses then I worry. Any other time I'm pleased that the blood supply is doing a good job.

For anyone interested in feet and for those who want to learn more there is a very good FB page run by a lady in NZ called The study of the equine hoof. She carries out dissections of different feet both good and bad which are amazing. Thoroughly recommend it but not if you are squeamish.