Wearing hooves down too far - what to look for

[Joyous70]

I have recently moved my girl and we now have hacking/road work, which we really haven't had for a while, my girl has always had just front shoes on, and has been fine with this, but I am concerned that if i start doing too much too soon, she will wear her feet down quicker than she can grow new hoof. Im aware of the obvious signs of pulling to walk on the grass, reluctant to move forward, but what does a hoof that has worn too much actually look like, what are the tell tale signs i need to look out for??

 

[Polos Mum]

I think you'll be surprised how quickly she will adjust. they are amazing in how they adapt.

Using her feet will stimulate more growth and she will catch up quickly.

She will tell you how she feels by her behaviour more accurately than you could see anything and horses are comfortable in different ways (much like some people find some shoes more comfortable than others)

 

[SEL]

I've got one that wears her hooves down too quickly. Bit head scratching as to why really - we wondered if it was because she's had a couple of foals and perhaps that's had an impact on her body, but her 2 yo filly seems to never need trimming either.

For mine she will get very, very grumpy hacking on tarmac and she loves her hacking. Farrier has suggested boots for roadwork because otherwise there's no reason to put shoes on her. I'm hoping that over time and with a decent balancer they will strengthen up. My other 2 horses grow hoof like weeds and I have to rasp between 5 week farrier visits just to stop them being on stilts. Ex-broodmare pony goes 10 weeks and just a minor tidy up by farrier.

 

[awelshandawarmblood]

All the signs you listed behaviour wise it what I'd look at more than the foot itself.
My youngster was great up in the forestry over the paths etc until we started doing it more regularly when he started to plant a bit & pull onto the grass - the foot itself was still perfect & no bruising with a decent amount of growth etc as confirmed by my farrier. I got him a pair Scoot Boots & the behavior stopped overnight & he was great for a good while! Now we're doing more again, he's not pulling to the grass but is starting to stop on the rougher bits, so now I'll get him booted behind.
My cob did the same when he was feeling it a bit on his hinds when shod infront, so again, booted him & problem solved.
I can honestly say bar the behaviour there was nothing to see - both have good hard soles & not worn down flat or anything. I'd imagine it would have to be really pretty bad for something to then be visible.

 

[sbloom]

Roadwork is the best thing for barefoot hooves, it enables them to wear the hoof how they want it, and is an integral part of the most intensive barefoot rehab programmes such as Rockley Farm (well worth looking at their blog). If the diet is good (watching for grass sensitivity, feeding low starch and sugar, and the right vits and mins) then barefoot behind is seldom a problem, and barefoot in front is so often fine if you up the work gradually, and/or of course you can use hoofboots.

 

[Joyous70]

Thank you for your replies, I guess i will just keep an eye on here see how she is. I wasn't sure if booting behind would be ok? but at least i know its also an option if needed.

 

[awelshandawarmblood]

Thank you for your replies, I guess i will just keep an eye on here see how she is. I wasn't sure if booting behind would be ok? but at least i know its also an option if needed.

Yes you can boot behind no problem at all if you can get the right fit - best thing to do is get a fit kit & advice from a company.
I bought Cavellos for my youngster at first & they were like clogs on him as hes close infront & would stand on himself - same as some horses will be close behind.
He has got a slight twist when pushing off with one foot behind which I'm told will more than likely go as he matures & builds muscle - so I need to make sure whatever I get is a very good fit so they stay on.
If you dont know where to start I highly recommend Urban Horse - I found them extremely helpful.

 

[Lady Jane]

They are all different. I would ask your farrier to moniter when he comes to trim him. I got caught out, my horse got foot sore and didn't have enough foot to shoe and it took 3 months for his feet to grow enough. And before everyone tells me what I should do/feed to keep him happy barefoot I tried it all. My vet says he wasn't bred to be worked barefoot - my farrier is less polite about over bred WBs!!! But he is sooo beautiful. Unfortunately retired at 7yrs - a stunning field ornament.

In your case it sounds like you may need hoof boots at some point, but if your horse is happy I would just keep going - lucky you to have such good feet