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  Discussion on Hoof Heat
Author Message
Member:
Nadia

Posted on Wednesday, Jan 28, 2004 - 9:04 am:

My horse has warm hooves - on and off. It is cold and snowy here. I felt his hooves one night when it was very cold - wondered how his feet were holding up. All were very warm. My hands were fairly warm as I had just arrived from my warm car. I walked/trotted him around the arena for a bit. After that - they were all cool (my hands have cooled off by this time, too). I have noticed around this time that he won't give me his feet to clean (he is usually very good) - prances around alot - walks away from me. If it is really cold, we don't ride, but run around the arena for a bit. Sometimes he wants to run around with me, but often he doesn't - almost have to pull him along. He'll walk more often than trot. I now check his feet every time I see him - they start out warm (sometimes 1 or 2 will be warm-sometimes all) - but cool off after walking/riding. I would not say he is lame, but I can't be sure. I try to look but it's not easy to trot along and look. He is outside all day eating lots of hay (and a small amt of grass)- has a good,heavy blanket. He gets about 2 1/2 lbs of sweet feed twice a day.

Should I be concerned about this heat?
Is this normal for his hooves to react this way to cold snow?
Could he have mild laminitis symptoms?

Thanks.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Jan 29, 2004 - 6:08 pm:

No this is not a reason to be concerned as long as the horse is otherwise healthy and sound. It is normal for there to be variation in a horses hooves temperature particulary during extremes.
DrO
Member:
Nadia

Posted on Thursday, Jan 29, 2004 - 6:20 pm:

Thanks, Dr O! I worry I can overlook symptoms of bigger problems with these darn horses!
Member:
Rob10549

Posted on Friday, May 7, 2004 - 2:15 pm:

I am currently experiencing a similar problem. My horse has always had sensitive feet after shoeing although in the past year he's been ok. It is not unusual for us to give him bute and the day off after he's shod. This week he was shod on Monday. On Wednesday when I went to clean his hooves I noticed the front left was warmer than all the others. My farrier was at the barn so he took a look at and hoof tested him and found the outer side of the hoof a bit sensitive. He pulled and replaced the nail and then two trainers watched him go under saddle and he looked totally fine. We rode him for a half hour and saw no issues. Last night my trainer gave him bute. This morning when I got to the barn his left front hoof was still warm and so was his pastern and so was his cannon, yet his back, right hoof was also warm to the touch. My trainer rode him and he was completely fine. No sign of lameness whatsoever. No one seems to think it's serious and they are telling me not to worry but, of course, I am concerned. I would like to be educated about such issues.

Thanks, Robin
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, May 9, 2004 - 10:27 am:

Check out these articles Robin:
Equine Diseases » Lameness »
  • Diseases of the Hoof
  • Problems Following Shoeing or Trimming
  • Hoof Abscesses, Bruises, and Gravels

DrO


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