why has my horse got red marks on the front of her hoof?

[bizzylizzy]

Hi, I brought my horse in last night and when I picked her feet out and washed them I noticed she has a few bright red marks on one of her front hoofs. It's right at the front where her hoof meets the shoe. She wasn't lame but also wasn't very impressed when I picked it out. It does look like bruising but it wasn't there on Tuesday because the field is really muddy now so I clean her feet every night and it defo wasn't there! The farrier is due out tomorrow anyway but I just wondered if anyone had any ideas please? She is a 3 year old Shire x Warmblood.

Thanks for the help

 

[Spyda]

Sounds like bruising to me. If she's not lame then she should be okay. Ask your farrier to check it out when he/she next visits.

 

[bizzylizzy]

Sounds like bruising to me. If she's not lame then she should be okay. Ask your farrier to check it out when he/she next visits.

That's what I thought, think it was the bright red that freaked me out lol! Thank you for your help

 

[FanyDuChamp]

Second bruising, my lad used to bang the door and he got it.
FDC

 

[a kind of magic]

Third the bruising.

 

[bizzylizzy]

Thanks guys, that was my idea too. Would you advise riding her or giving her a rest? I don't want to make her uncomfortable even though she's not lame.

 

[bexcy-bee]

Have you gone over any poles on her? or anything out hacking that is bright red? My boy used to get coloured marks on his hooves when he knocked a fence, so if not bruising, could it be that?

bexcy-bee x

 

[sally2008]

Sounds like stretched / torn laminae to me. Make sure that your farrier is balancing the foot correctly and not leaving the toes long.

 

[bizzylizzy]

Have you gone over any poles on her? or anything out hacking that is bright red? My boy used to get coloured marks on his hooves when he knocked a fence, so if not bruising, could it be that?

bexcy-bee x

I wondered about that myself but she was fine on Tuesday night and I haven't rode her since Sunday and she hasn't been over any poles as she's only 3 so shes not doing very much at the min, just light hacking and getting used to traffic really, I only backed her in the spring. It looks as though it is inside the hoof wall

 

[bizzylizzy]

Sounds like stretched / torn laminae to me. Make sure that your farrier is balancing the foot correctly and not leaving the toes long.

The farrier I have has always been very good and this has never happened to her before (I've had her from 10 months) however the last few times I have had her out she has been a bit rushed and hasn't taken much care so as it happens I was going to try a friends farrier in the morning so I'll see what he says. Not sure about riding her tomorrow though?