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: I have a barefoot horse, great trimmer and he gets a low-carb, well-balanced diet. He still remains tender and unable to trail ride without boots. Can you give me some ideas of what I can do?


: First of all, have your horse evaluated by your veterinarian. While your management may be ideal, the “tenderness” may have nothing to


do with hoof care and diet. T e front feet should be radiographed. X-rays of the front feet can provide a tremendous amount of information. For example, measurements can be taken to evaluate the position of the coffi n bone within the hoof as well as the hoof-pastern angle. T e depth of the sole can be determined and any arthritic changes can be identifi ed. T ere may be underlying issues that you are unaware of that need to be addressed. Not all horses that are barefoot can be ridden without hoof protection. It doesn’t mean that this lifestyle choice is a poor one!—Darla Wright, DVM


: How oſt en should pastured horses have their hoofs cleaned?


likely dislodging most debris that builds up. However, horses in a moist en- vironment or muddy conditions can get soil and manure packed into their hooves so tightly that it can be diffi cult to remove even with a hoof pick. Once the material packs in, it not only traps moisture, bacteria and yeast, it also puts pressure on the sole and can cause discomfort and bruising. Finally, some of the most dramatic lameness cases I have seen over the


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Q A


: As my horses have aged, their angles seem to have changed. Is that usual?


: It really depends on the quality of the hooves, conformation of the horse and overall care of the horse. Normally, horses with good


hooves do not necessarily lose hoof angles as they age. However, for the past several years I have been involved in research concerning changes to the shape of the pedal bone. My research indicates that, in general, pedal bones tend to fl at en somewhat as horses age (Figure 1). As the pedal bone fl at ens you may see a corresponding loss in hoof angle in some cases. You may also see changes in hoof angles in horses that never had very good hoof quality. T e sole shape and its quality have an infl u- ence on the hoof ’s ability to maintain a good angle. Horses with poor sole defi nition tend to grow more forward, meaning they grow more toe than heels (Figure 2). If this type of horse does not get appropriate trimming and shoeing help, it is very likely that over time they will display hooves with inappropriate angles.—Monique Craig


Q A


: Nothing I use on my horses’ hooves seems to soſt en the soles. In dry weather they are hard as rocks. Any tips?


: Hooves adapt to the weather. T e last layer of the hoof epidermis (hoof walls and sole) is made of keratin. T is protein changes in


hardness as the weather becomes dry or wet. In dry weather, the keratin protein becomes harder and stiff er (Figure 3). T is is a natural process. So the question is: Why would you try to soſt en a hoof when it needs to adjust to the dry weather? It is true that it is very diffi cult to change the hydration of the hoof wall or sole; but I also think there is lit le need to try to change it. To me the main concern is a trimming issue rather than trying to change the natural properties of the hoof. During the dry season, hooves have a tendency to contract. If the


natural conformation of a hoof is to have high heels, it is crucial to trim them off regularly. Caution should be taken to not remove too much sole, even if it appears to be very dry. T e sole provides support to the pedal bone and serves as an insulator against the heat. I only remove sole or bars if I see a very dark color under the sole, which eventually may cause corns.—Monique Craig


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: T e answer depends on the type of “pasture.” If horses are out on dry lot where they are able to roam over a large area, they are


years have been due to foreign bodies lodged in the hoof. T e horse came in “three-legged lame”—completely non-weight-bearing on one leg. T e fi rst question I asked the owner was, “Did you clean out the hoof?” T e client assured me that they did. I picked up the foot, looked at the bot om and it looked relatively clean, with only a small amount of manure and soil in the sulci of the frog. So we shot one lateral radiograph, and low and behold, there was a nail in the hoof! One swipe of the hoof pick down into the groove exposed the nail head. T erefore, checking the hooves periodically is a must! Some horses may need their hooves cleaned daily, while others may rarely need them cleaned.—Darla Wright, DVM


Q A


: My horses are barefoot. Usually they are fi ne in rocks, but when the going gets tough, should they “cowboy up” and endure it or should we be put ing on the boots at the fi rst mincing step?


: If your horse is not moving comfortably over the terrain you have chosen to ride in, then you need to provide hoof protection. Keep in


mind that when horses roam freely, they choose their own footing and do not have the weight of a rider to deal with. When you are trail riding, YOU are picking the terrain to travel over and then requiring your horse to carry your weight, plus the weight of the tack. Forcing a horse to endure rocky footing with no hoof protection can be a recipe for disaster. Repetitive concussion of the sole can lead to stone bruising and pedal osteitis. Boot them!—Darla Wright, DVM





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