This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Diseases of the Hoof » First Aid for Foot Disease in Horses »
  Discussion on Help mares feet are falling apart
Author Message
Member:
gofit

Posted on Monday, May 5, 2008 - 11:52 pm:

My mare which is 6 yrs old, is having major hoof problems. Her front hooves are cracking and chunks are coming out. We live in Arizona where it is very dry. We live in a real sandy area where she spends most of her time. She is not around water or much moisture. I feed her alfalfa. I don't know why in the last 6-8 months her hooves are just breaking off really bad. I had her on farriers formula and daily wormer for about 4 months and there wasn't any major changes seen. I had her barefoot for about a year, but then her feet started breaking so the vet advised me to put front shoes back on her. Her rear hooves are a little cracked but nothing real bad, it is mostly her front hooves. Right now her hoof wall has lost chunks out towards the side and back of the hoof. You can see the white tissue under it. I don't know how she is even keeping shoes on they look so bad. I am so worried!!! What can I do? What is causing this? Do you think I need to pull blood work on her to see if she is lacking major nutrients? I can't afford to lose this mare!! Please help !! I am going to put her back on the farriers formula. I am taking her off alfalfa and putting her on bermuda hay for a while to see if that helps. What about hoof dressing? Any advice will be greatly appreciated!!!! I am desperate!!!!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, May 6, 2008 - 6:46 am:

Hello igofit,
You need to quit experimenting and return this horse to a very good diet and good routine foot care. Then if you are having problems you may need to have the feet examined for disease of the horn like white line disease.

I would like to point out that the alfalfa is likely to be more nutritious than coastal but completely review "Overview of Nutrition" and follow its basic tenets.

Next concerning proper foot care study Horse Care » Hoof Care, Hoof Trimming, Shoeing Horses » Care of the Hoof: an Overview. Beside following the routine care, carefully follow its supplement and treatment recommendations for dry hooves: ingredients and concentrations are important.

Don't forget that the current damaged horn is going to take 6 months to almost a year to grow out so if you begin today you are still going to have problems until new healthy horn grows out.

If after all this review you think you have been doing everything right and there is no explanation for the current state you should get your veterinarian and farrier involved to see if some disease process is ongoing.

We might be able to help you further if you can post good quality images of the feet.
DrO
Member:
gofit

Posted on Tuesday, May 6, 2008 - 10:06 pm:

Dr. O,
You are absolutely right!!! I called the vet and he is going to come out and look at her feet. I also will contact the farrier. I will also read your foot care articles and the articles on nutrition.
Thank you so much for replying to my post so quickly!!! I will also try to post some pictures.
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC