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Discussion on Founder
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New Member:
Marypat
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Posted on Saturday, Sep 27, 2003 - 10:04 am:
My friends horse foundered two years ago. He was at Texas A&M for 3 months and their farrier worked on his feet. They were pretty bad. She is finally getting to ride him again. However, the farrier at A&M kept telling her his feet were soft and she could not let them get wet. The horse is still being trimmed but not shod. She is almost paranoid about the wet thing and will not go through water or even on wet ground if at all possible. She wants advice on this. The farrier told her his feet were soft because of getting too wet and he couldn't shoe him anf the feet needed to dry out completely.
She trail rides exclusively with this horse. It just doesn't seem feasible that you can trail ride and never get their feet wet. Anyway, she would appreciate some insight on this.
Thanks, Marylee
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Member:
Westks
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Posted on Sunday, Sep 28, 2003 - 12:41 pm:
THIS JUST DOESN'T SOUND RIGHT TO ME SOME MOISTURE IS NEEDED FOR HEALTHY HOOVES . I HAVE TO SOAK MY HORSES HOOVES DUE TO THEM BEING TO DRY FROM THE CLIMATE HERE. oops caps sorry
Also if trail riding in rocky areas and living in area with no rocks a barefoot horse is going to get very sore.
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Member:
Althaea
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Posted on Sunday, Sep 28, 2003 - 1:54 pm:
I agree Janette. Marylee, perhaps your friend misunderstood the instructions on wet feet. Standing in a wet area consistently (as in a wet stall), as opposed to an occasional wetting as in crossing streams and getting wet during a bath.
BTW - is this horse in pads of any sort? If her problem is a chronically wet stall, then horses do not do well in pads (I've had a few that we used a pine tar filling in that were okay - but with just pads the moisture level tends to build up under the pad and makes the sole downright soggy - making the paring of the sole downright dangerous to the horse).
I too have horses that have suffered laminitis and it is sometimes desired that their feet be kept drier than what is considered normal - due to coffin bone rotation causing sole sensitivity, type of hoof problems that contribute to the problem, and stabling conditions. She just needs to make sure that the horse's stall is kept impeccably dry + clean. Usually an indoor stall (in excessively wet, boggy areas) is indicated - and the use of a good absorbent material is highly recommended along with twice daily manure/urine pick up.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Sep 29, 2003 - 6:55 am:
The farrier is correct: soft hooves represent a state of overhydration. Because we do not know the particulars of Maylee's horse we must bow to the recommedations of the farrier who actually saw the horse. I do not know who the farrier is at A&M is but I can vouch for the lameness group they have there: some of the brightest lameness minds in the world and leading the research into hoof physiology, care, and medicine. Advise your friend to follow their advice on this.
We have had several long discussions on wetting hooves. I am not a proponent for the daily wetting of feet, though under most conditions a once daily wetting is not going to hurt much. For more see » Care for Horses » Pastures, Fences, & Buildings » Bedding, Flooring, and Footing for Horses » Run -in shed bedding material.
DrO
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