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Conference noted::equitation

Title:Equine Notes Conference
Notice:Topics List=4, Horses 4Sale/Wanted=150, Equip 4Sale/Wanted=151
Moderator:MTADMS::COBURNIO
Created:Tue Feb 11 1986
Last Modified:Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2080
Total number of notes:22383

179.0. "Hoof/Frog Growth Rate" by DYO780::AXTELL (Dragon Lady) Fri Dec 12 1986 14:05

    I'm (well actually my horse) is having a chronic problem with his
    feet.  The frog on all four hooves is peeling off at a much greater
    rate than normal - sometimes down to the sensitve part.  On top
    of this he seems to be real susceptible to stone bruises, with or
    with out shoes and even just standing in his stall.  To tell the
    truth, I think the little pockets aren't the result of stone bruises,
    but I can't think of any other cause.
    
    There's no heat in the feet (or anywhere else).  Off and on this 
    year he has been a little sore, aometimes its  hard to tell if 
    it's foot or shoulder. Thrush has been an little bit of a problem
    because of the way the frog is shedding. I've tried antibiotic therapy
    because the vet suspected an abcess.  Xrays came up clean.  All
    I'm doing now is using Kopertox (just in case) and hoof packing.
    
    I'm out of ideas and about to chalk this problem up to some sort
    of metabolic disorder. Heck, maybe the horse is just aging a little
    early. In any case I need to learn how to cope with this problem
    or retire the horse from competition (he's my event horse - so pads
    under the shoes are out).
    
    Has anybody else had a problem like this?  Any sugesstions would
    be very much appreciated.  Thanks.
    
    Maureen
    
    
    
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179.1some suggestionsWHOARU::NAJJARFri Dec 12 1986 16:2517
    A couple of things you could try would be to have a knowledgeable
    farrier take a look and see what he thinks, and try feeding Source
    with the horse's grain.  It works very well on horses that have
    brittle or weak feet.  Does your horse stand in damp pastures or
    stalls?? Is the frog and hoof very dry and the bits of frog just
    flake off or is it more of a moisture problem?? Make sure the stall
    is cleaned out daily, and that the  horse is not standing in wet
    or muddy pastures for long periods of time.  I would also have the
    vet take another look, maybe examine some of the frog tissue as
    well.  In any case, get a second opinion and monitor the horse's
    environment: has he been getting the same type and amount of feed,
    what is the ground like that he is ridden on, or turned out on???
    How old is the horse?  Does he get any feed supplements at all?
    Do any other horses in the same barn have this problem?
    
    -good luck, and keep us posted-
    
179.2DYO780::AXTELLDragon LadyMon Dec 15 1986 13:1131
    Here's som more info ( I forgot to include it in my original frenzy).
    
    Whiskers stall is immaculate and so are the rest of my kids (they're
    atabled at home with me.  Everybody goes out most of the day.  The
    pasture is muddy in spots, but this is the first time I've had any
    foot problems that might be related.  None of the rest of the horses
    has any problems at all.
    
    The problem doesn't look anything like the normal flaking that occurs
    between shoeings... This is more like 1/2 inch thick strips of frog.
    Its not thrushy except when *stuff* gets under a piece of frog thats
    going to peel soon.  Sometimes it's hard to see which parts of the
    frog are going to come off, the edges of the detaching parts are
    smooth - almost like it was cut with a hoof knife.  The rest of
    his foot is normal and healthy.
    
    For feed he gets 10 lbs of 12% feed in three feedings, all the hay 
    he wants (mixed  hay, I don't much care for lots of alfalfa) and Red 
    cell as a supplement.  The only feeding change was during the show
    season when grain was increased considerable to keep up with activity
    levels.  About two years ago, he had a blood pressure problem that
    was manifested by bleeding lightly from his nose that was treated
    with lasix.
    
    Source is something I've been meaning to try, as soon as I find
    someone who stocks it around here.  The resources of the local 
    vets/farriers is about tapped out - Ohio state is next.
    
    Thanks for the help.
    Maureen