ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: No foot, no horse

Re: No foot, no horse

Ramey Peticolas-Stroud (ramey@wvi.com)
Tue, 08 Apr 1997 17:23:14 +0000

Connie, Usually seperations occurring at or after rides are pressure
related.

Look at the lines around the hoof. Are they even and straight as is the
hairline, or do they bend upward at certain points. If any points on
the hoof wall are higher at the hairline it may indicate excessive
pressure loading at those points:

Normal hairline:
--------------
Pressure Response area (that may crack): -----^^^^------

Tell your farrier about a phamplet written by Berney Chapman in
Washington state entitled "Hooftalk." He explains this "pressure
response" better than I can and has better pictures and diagrams as
well. In any case, sometimes a change in shoeing is needed.

Seperations can also mean not enough training for the speed or distance
at which you are racing. It's early season here in the Northwest: feet
are soft and most horses out-of-condition due to winter lay-ups.

Finally, don't try to fill crack as they grow down the hoof. Anerobic
bacteria will grow under the patch and may cause infection and
pressure. Keep the crack open and clean, then put duck tape over it for
training or races.

Good Luck!
Ramey

Connie Hoge wrote:
>
> Ramey,
>
> Excuse the off topic question, but we have no idea why my mare Jas, even with
> years of conditioning continues to have a problem with coronary separation.
> We've taken radiographs to check leg & foot structure. She gets biotin,
> vitamins, good grass hay, oats, pure water, exercise, regular shoeing, vet
> care, etc. Our other horse has no problems at all.
>
> Our guess is some type of metabolic problem we've been unable to root out, or
> that she has a genetic predisposition to soft hooves?
>
> This latest set-back has been very dissapointing to me - it is the 4th time in
> two years.
>
> Connie H.

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