Percheron's Hooves (an ongoing project)

[Tatooed Lady]

Okay, I posted a couple photos on another thread about Queen's hooves, and was asked to start this in a new thread, so here goes.
In July, her hooves were HORRIBLE. Cracked, flared, chipping, you name it.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e106/TatooedLady/Queen/fronthoovesneedtrim.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e106/TatooedLady/Queen/rearhoofcrack.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e106/TatooedLady/Queen/Hooves_LateJuly.jpg
So I've had her hooves trimmed a few times since we bought her, last round the farrier only used a rasp because she really didn't NEED anything more. He filed off any sharp edges by the cracks to keep them from catching, etc.
This is the best pic I can find of "recent" improvements, although it's from October....
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e106/TatooedLady/Queen/Hooves_Oct.jpg
I plan to go out this weekend and want to take some GOOD photos, hopefully of her on concrete or something where we can SEE her feet well. I also am going to attempt to take pictures of the bottoms of her hooves (that should be entertaining in itself), and from ground level to see the balance, or lack of it. I'd love to have suggestions that I can discuss with my farrier on any thoughts on how to best help her along to healthy, non-cracked feet.

[SmokinPRanch]

As far as cracks go, I think I tried about everything quite a few years ago with a mare I owned. Epoxy, metal stitched, hoof packings and conditioners. Nothing worked. It was never a wide crack and didn't go to the coronet band but it was always there. She was shod year round. I kinda wonder now if I left her barefoot if it would've helped. But we did what we thought best at the time.

I'm thinking you do the best you can to clean him up for now and wait for him to grow out.

And by the way it's good of you to take him in and provide care for him. Best of luck to you.

[MelanieD]

Those look like an improvement already...

The quarter crack on a back foot looks like the typical result of the feet not being trimmed for a while and getting in the shape they were. Just getting the feet back in good shape might be enough to get rid of it.

IME cracks grow out better barefoot. Barefoot tends to encourage good inner wall growth which holds everything together much better than any fancy shoeing.

If the crack doesn't just give in and grow out with time and good trimming then there's likely to be some infection in there. Soaking with something like borax or baby steriliser should help with that, or clean trax if its really stubborn.

[Tatooed Lady]

I was reading this website (I think it was Ironfeethoof.com?) about trimming for barefoot, and I THINK the two things my farrier would need to do (or I'd need to learn myself) is 1) rasp away the side flares (probably an ongoing deal, I doubt it's fixable in one session, which is fine) and 2) roll the front and sides of the hoof to keep excess pressure off the edge of the hooves.
That's where I'll start in regards to trimming, anyhow. I also need to thoroughly clean her hooves and look under good light to see if there's anything I haven't noticed lately (low light, snow, wet hooves....)
Then I need to do more consistent graining. I want to give her grain at least 4-5 times per week (at about a pound per feeding).
And...exercise. If she's getting grain 4-5 times per week, I really need to work her 4-5 times, also, even if it's light work. That should keep the blood flowing nicely and assist in the hoof repair.
I like to think that I've got a clue on how to tackle this, but any other suggestions and comments would DEFINITELY be welcome!

[SmokinPRanch]

You're on the right track. Keep things trimmed and rounded...sharp corners always break easier and put pressure higher up. The farrier should routinely removed the flares as best he can at the time.

Although I also feed grain, I think a vitamin supplement is more important. We use a daily supplement called Equishine. You may also want to try a dedicated hoof supplement. We used Nu-Foot on a couple problem cases. Biotin is the main ingredient but the other ingredients are just as important for utilization. We don't routinely feed hoof supplement but I believe it has helped with some problem horses.

The biggest factor in recovering a horse is dedication and time. Seems you have those bases covered so I'm sure you'll do fine.

[Tatooed Lady]

I know I posted this info on another forum, but....I'm happy. ;)
I have to show the farrier the first pics on this thread. *lol* He came out tonight and trimmed her hooves again. Last trim was November 12th, so it's roughly 6 weeks out.
Anyhow...her hooves are turning out AMAZINGLY well. Tonight they got trimmed, the flares were minimized, hooves pretty much re-shaped, frogs trimmed down level with walls....they look just about as good as a smaller breed's feet now. He also said (and this just boosts my pride) that she's got the BEST feet of any draft he's dealt with, hands down. :D

[gunner]

Here is a web site that might interest you all that are dealing with hoof problems. This stuff works great ! Be sure to check out the list of testimonials, of people that have used this stuff on their horses. They are using it for founder cases, navicular, laminitis, bad hoof growth, thin soles, bad feet in general, and many other things! I use it on a horse of mine that has really crappy feet and thin soles and have gotten him sound and back in training because of this stuff! I am a sales rep for Vivo Animals so if you have any questions on how this stuff works feel free to drop me an e-mail or call me.

www.Vivoanimals.com

[Tatooed Lady]

I took some new photos today. Last trim was Dec 26th, and she's doing REALLY well.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e106/TatooedLady/Queen/HoovesJan42008.jpg
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e106/TatooedLady/Queen/01042008HOOVES.jpg
The lower side of the one hoof got rasped sort of weird because of a flare and crack that were causing problems.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e106/TatooedLady/Queen/01042008HOOVES2.jpg
I'm really impressed, not because it's "pretty" work, but because he did a good, FUNCTIONAL job on a horse that leans on him every time he lifts a foot. Or she tries to pull her foot away (she does that while I pick her feet, too. UGH!)
There aren't many farriers around here that would touch a draft's feet, much less one that's not 100% farrier friendly.

[Yann]

That's a really good improvement :)

[Tatooed Lady]

The new, improved version of Queen's barefoot health was put to the test two days ago, when we transferred her to a new yard. Instead of putting the new YO out by having her dig her trailer out of the snow, and dirty it up, we decided to ride/walk Queen the 6 miles between yards. We avoided the trails, as they're used by snowmobilers in winter (even though it was mostly slush, there is ALWAYS one idiot that doesn't understand that they're closed), and took to the roadways. It's all back country roads that are paved and have a nice, graveled shoulder. She was ridden at what was SUPPOSED to be all walking, until she got "goofy" and started this cute, bouncy trot...she did her own up/down transitions (good thing the farrier is a great rider!), and worked herself up into a sweat...then she was handwalked about half of the route. In any case, her feet came out of this BEAUTIFULLY. She's not sore, and has no more cracks than she started with.
Her farrier isn't a barefoot specialist, he just dislikes the time intense process of trimming AND shoeing, so he sticks with trims only. Even though he's really young, he seems to know his craft very well!

[Peter Laidely]

G’day Lady!!!

My complements to you and your farrier…

It is really great to see the improvement in these feet…

Now having the horse lean on the farrier is his problem, but if she is doing it to you, you should just make sure that you are “not there” to be leaned on…

In any case you should just be holding the hoof by the “hydraulic lever” at the point of the toe, not supporting the weight of the leg…. If she “leans”, you should allow her to lower herself as far as she likes and then ask her to come up again… Keep the fetlock gently flexed and use this as a signal that you expect her to “give foot”… and of course always say “Thank you, Dear” when she does…

Resisting the weight of the horse is unprofitable, and for fat, bald, old, hoofblokes like me it is also impossible…

I admit that I can’t do it and so I never have to…

Any energy we use should just be to stay in contact with the hydraulic levers (there are two more above the back of the heels as well)… not to try to carry the weight of the horse.

Peter Laidely