Why has my pony lost his frog?! Help!

[SarahandCharlie]

Today when I was picking out the hooves of the pony I loan, I pulled out a big lump of mud in one go and his frog went with it! This was very distressing for me but I walked him round on the lead rein and he was walking fine and didn't seem in any pain or discomfort. Can anyone explain why this has happened and what I should do about it? I know horses shed their frogs roughly twice a year but I was always under the impression that they shed a lethery outer coating, not the entire thing! Also, does anyone know if he's safe to be ridden because he still needs to be exercised! I know in a very severe case of thrush a farrier will remove the infected frog so I know his will grow back but what I'm most worried about is him not having his shock absorber and starting to walk toe-heel to ease the pressure and ending up with contracted heels and getting stuck in a vicious cycle!

If anyone can answer these questions for me i'll be really grateful!

Thanks a lot,

Sarah x

[Kalypso]

Can you call your farrier and ask? I know my farrier is always 'on call' if we need to get hold of him.

Sorry I can't be of more help because I've got no idea!

Welcome to NR, by the way :)

[Yann]

I wouldn't worry unduly if he's sound, but it would probably be worth getting hold of a frog care product like Nettex spray and getting on top of any bugs that have taken hold. It will grow back and I wouldn't have thought his feet would be drastically affected without it. Unless he's been shod with the frog in ground contact, or near ground contact it doesn't really have that much of a job to do.

[Alfies-slave]

It is totaly normal for a horse to shed its entire frog once or twice a year. it does not mean anything bad is happening!

This looks worryng when it happens... however, there is a new frog waiting underneath!

If your horse has had a change in the way it is shod or trimmed and the balance of the feet has alterd it can happen in response to that. For example, if the horses foot has changed shape it grows another, often differently shaped frog to suitthe new foot.

There is no need to do anything, just carry on with your normal routine of picking out the feet atleast once a day and all will be well;)