Pedigree Query

I'm not criticizing nor applauding anyone, but I'd like insight on the farrier's work... mainly, this horse has remained sound, but is flatfooted and thin soled, would anyone care to give their two cents about what they like/don't like about the recent farrier's job.

I'm asking because I'm trying to educate myself about what is good or bad about the job, and since I haven't been there to talk to him myself, have no clue what his goals are for her feet - the farrier this horse had beforehand and I had discussed in length about what her needs were and adapted a trimming program to her.



















Also, as per normal, if the pics fail to load, try again later, limited bandwidth on GeoCities.

PS: The horse has two quarter cracks - one on each of her front feet. Until we run into a problem, ie. her becoming sore at all, we're not going to shoe her.

Hairlines are straight which suggests the feet are in balance. Hoof angles seem to match the pastern angles, also a good sign. However, the most important comment comes from your horse. Is she comfortable? How is she moving? You say she is sound so she is telling you her opinion. Since each horse is different there is no one size fits all way to trim a hoof. Good luck!

rushtawin,

The only thing you might want to note is that when going barefoot a farrier should shave the sole just lightly. When you look at your own finger nails the part that grows out is a white color (dead) while the part of your nail protecing your finger is a clear (live). In a horse the live part of the sole is off-white, little yellow tint to it. The farrier should not be taking sole down to this live sole when you are going barefoot.

For now I expect that you will be shoeing her again once the cracks have grown out. I would recommend that she be trimmed again before 6 to 8 weeks, probably more like 4. If her hooves grow out too far the cracks your hoping will disappear can extend further up the hoof wall.

Luck,

JonR

I agree with the last 2 posts completely...by pairing out the sole too far this leaves the horse less protected from uneven or rocky footing.

I have a horse with horrid feet (well used to be horried feet after 5 yrs he damn near looks like a horse again) he has always been sound...hoof wise but due to lack of proper hoof care from his previous owner his poor hoof quality was lending itself to other soundness issues in the legs. If your mare is sound and comfortable, moves well with out interference, toe stabbing or other signs of gait issues...then I guess your current farrier is on the right path. Also be sure that you arent fiding OTHER soundness issues...in my geldings case he has underlying issues...bow, screws just old racehorses CRAP to deal with and manage...if he is a least bit trimmed wrong.....WHOA DOGGIE we have our handsfull! Trust me he has no problems telling me about it either! Listen to your horses she will tell you when somethings amiss.

Thank you all for the responses and I'll keep you all posted.

And no, I don't plan on shoeing her until she becomes sore or if the cracks get too bad or if her movement becomes compromised, she's never worn shoes (to my knowledge and was barefoot when I adopted her) although I do paint her feet sometimes with Sole Pack (I think that's the product's name) and it seems to help.

I swear by Sole Pack! Its a fantastic product. Even if it stinks really bad

Rushtawin,

If it is your intention to go shoeless permanently then the shape of the hooves are not the natural shape that shoeless farriers use.

I believe you are attending one of those fancy colleges with a library see if you can get a book Horse Owners Guide to Natural Hoof Care by Jaime Jackson. Well illustrated so you can see the different shape of a hoof a barefoot owner strives for.

JonR

Thanks! Will check the library tomorrow to see if they have the book!