Comments for Ask the Farrier

Comment on Dealing with Club Foot in Horses by Lindsey

Lindsey — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:03:10 +0000

the soul purpose of saying horses with clubbed feet should not be bred is that if there is a chance of the foal inheriting club foot why take the chance.. the foal will ultimately end up in a bad way suffering with it, not being able to live a normal life and what kind of life is that. sure some people have had all the luck the first couple times breeding but that’s all it is, is luck and that doesn’t mean the next foal won’t have it.

Comment on How to Tell if Your Horse is Tying Up by Cheyenne Ikeda

Cheyenne Ikeda — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 01:12:12 +0000

my horse started limping yesterday and he has never limped or been lame before, but i also rode him on trails and the road for 4 days and about 4 or 5 hours, he has no heat in his leg or feet, he has no rocks, and he has no sore spots or bruising on his leg and he is not standing like he is lame, and i have no idea how he couldve been hurt. he will limp for a few steps then after riding he wont, then he will again, idk what is wrong with him, i love my horse and i do not want to put him down, what should i do? i have put ice on his leg and heat and ice again, and have wrapped his legs, and given him plenty of bedding, and idk what to do. please any help would be very much apreciated.

Comment on Horse Breeds A to Z: Akhal-Teke the Pride of Turkmenistan by Stephen Taylor

Stephen Taylor — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 16:48:40 +0000

The horse featured above is our image (could you please credit – Photo © Animal Photography, Sally Anne Thompson). And if you like, link the image to the following link, it will show even more amazing pictures of this incredible breed – http://bit.ly/aNaVVz

Comment on Wobbler Syndrome in Horses by Louise

Louise — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 12:10:08 +0000

I have a 14y.o mare when I went to catch her in the field she was swaying around as if she was drunk! I managed to walk her down the field her hind end was going side ways & she had no co ordination going through the gap to her stable? I got the vet out but they couldnt say what it is? They just gave me painkillers shes improved slightly but wen you first bring her out the stable she a bit wobbly on her hind end then the faster she walks the better she is but walks with her back feet very close together almost crossing each other could this be wobblers syndrome?

Comment on Therapeutic Horseshoeing by claraetta Olney

claraetta Olney — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 07:17:57 +0000

Why dont manufacturers make an electric hoof trimming wheel for horses feet, like they make for dogs toenails?

This would make hoof trimming so much easier. The owner could just shave away the hoof walls instead of having to apply pressure with the nippers. This would be a great boon for everyone.

Comment on Should Your Horse go Barefoot? by reneigh

reneigh — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 12:05:57 +0000

I own a 4yr old TB. Her hooves grow fairly slowly i don’t ride her on rough ground but i do trail ride and work her in a sand arena. I’ve made the decision to trim for financial reasons although i am lucky it also suits my horse. But what i would like to say is that if you have the time money and a great farrier you can transform your shod horse to a tough hardy bare footer i have done this many times and have had both good and bad experiences but all turned out perfectly.

i think you should have said : find a farrier that specializes in barefoot trimming and ask him to look your horse over judge conformation hoof health issues and IF your horse would be a good candidate!

Then carry on to regular trimmings to get the HOOF balance to a desired degree. use hoof oils to help the hoof lock in the moisture to prevent cracking and becoming brittle. If your horses hoofs don’t grow fast enough or the hoof is not healthy then there are some great hoof supplements that simply are added to their mixed feed.
i’m a barefoot horse owner all the way its natural it aids with natural circulation and creates a hardy horse no (can’t ride today my horse lost a shoe)

it most definitely (IF DONE CORRECTLY) is cheaper to trim (AS LONG AS YOUR FARRIER IS AN EXPERIENCED BARE FOOT TRIMMER!!)

Comment on The Heat Cycle in Mares by wendy

wendy — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 15:50:56 +0000

hi guys if it helps any body my mare ive had for 10yrs and she can be mareish as she is chestnut say no more! but i have to say i give her 10ml spoon of magnesum powder a day and this stops it . i also brush and massage my mare starting with soft strokes and then getting deeper. come on girls when we have pms we want gentle and comfort when we have our monthlys so i treat my mare the same. she is fine on rides , if she winnies at horses in field i let her stand a while to see, rub her whithers for comfort as she looks then she will blow out and walk on her way. keep it natural!

Comment on Wobbler Syndrome in Horses by Jan Arndt

Jan Arndt — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 22:34:15 +0000

I have a 3 year old appy qtr horse that has a problem with her back ankles, hoofs, frog, pasterns etc. I
do not know just where the problem is. The symptom is her back ankles pop, bob and down, pop ( with no sound) It is almost like she is walking along and then all of a sudden she acts like she has just stepped on something, had a sharp pain but keep on going. Sometimes she really resists going down hill even on grass. I can watch her in the pasture just leasurely walking and do the same thing. I have had my ferrier out 2 times, the first I told him about the problem and the second I showed him what she was doing. I have been limiting my riding for feal it will be worse not to mention when I am riding her when she does this I think she is stumbling. If I can I will take a video of her problem. I know this is long winded, but I am trying to give as much information as possible

Comment on Dealing with Club Foot in Horses by Anne

Anne — Sun, 30 May 2010 16:37:10 +0000

Karen, that is a horse that should not be ridden. Even if your vet could sever the tendon to help the club foot it sounds like the damage is done. All of her feet have problems and at this point the is no doubt skeletal damage, probably arthritis and down the road navicular. That coffin bone will not be able to take too many more years of stress, imo, since it seems that it cannot take even several hours of riding.
Maybe she could be a carriage horse or something. Her spine and conformation is probably a mess.

I say no to the surgery, except to make her more comfortable, if it even will in the long term. But more rideable? I not only doubt it but can almost guarantee that horse will have a very short and painful riding career if you continue. She’s a rescue. God bless you for taking her in. Keep her but fine another horse to train and ride.

Comment on Dealing with Club Foot in Horses by Larry Davis

Larry Davis — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 03:35:18 +0000

It would be my recomendation that you get a set of x-rays taken. Right now you are just guessing as to what the coffin bone looks like and how much sole depth is at the toe. Next after you have that info , trim the heel down as low as poss. take out the dish at the toe, keep it on a short trim cycle(2 to 4 wks)give it some time off, its probably sore at the toe.