FARRIER

Definition of a Farrier:

far∙ri∙er
Noun: A craftsman who trims and shoes horses' hooves | Synonym: blacksmith-smith-forger

I didn't realize that when picking or deciding on a horse how important the condition of the hooves were. There is so much to take into consideration, for example conformation, training, temperament, socialization, disposition. Its a tough call as chances are you are more focused on the horses temperament and disposition while interacting with them and speaking to the current owner who is working with you and the horse. In our case the issues didn't become apparent until we relocated the horse and then at this point they could have arise due to us relocating the horse, different feed, different environment/terrain, different farrier. There's a saying..

No Feet No Horse, is what they say and it's a fact! 

We probably went with one of the toughest breeds of horse in terms of feet and the potential of being high strung 'hot' with our Thoroughbred Eli. Thoroughbreds are known to have thin walls and thin soles. When we got him he was shod (had shoes on the front). Not only does he have thin soles and thin walls but his hooves take forever to grow out, something else I wasn't aware of.

So with the genetics of his breed coupled with the inexperience of his now new owners we put him out to pasture to feed approximately 10 days after arriving at the new stable. Two things happened, one he developed a a bit of founder and thrush (not enough to become lame, but enough to soften up his hooves and have hot rings show up) the second thing which could be linked to the first is he started throwing shoes. This could be due to his hooves becoming soft and could be in part with the new terrain and larger pasture space (running, bucking in the field).

Three different farriers came out to see him. The first did some work on him in the interim while we searched for a regular farrier. The second helped us out in a bind (when he threw a shoe for the second time that had just been put back on) he also pointed out that he had thrush and his hooves were far softer than what was wanted. He recommended that we use pure turpentine on the souls to toughen them up and pine tar on the outside to harden the walls and he removed the one front shoe that was still on.

The third farrier came out in November to trim up his now bare feet. You could still see the nail holes at the tips of his hooves from when he was shod, that's how slow they were growing. He trimmed him up and showed me the heat rings from the founder he suspected Eli had developed from eating the rich spring grass (no hay) and quick or rather sudden change in diet.

Currently he is still barefoot. I do have a concern with his front right as the sole is now a pale yellow/white color and the hoof is (to me) appearing to concave or curl down and out about half way down the hoof from just below the short pastern bone. I realize that there is a LOT of weight on the hooves, particularly the front hooves and if they are weak, or soft that is a lot of constant pressure being put on them day in and day out.

Diagram above demonstrates the hoof wall (3 times thicker than Eli's) and Sole

This diagram (above) shows the proper angle of a hoof  (A) and (Normal) 

I'm feeling more like the one front is (B) and (Broken Back) 

There's really a lot that goes into it and it's a ripple effect. Once the hoof is in poor condition (too soft, or cracked etc) then the body starts to compensate and even break down the hoof in predominant areas faster than others making for uneven contact with the ground, or even worse the soft hoof walls are unable to support the horses weight and start to cause wear at the back faster than the front or lose shape putting extra pressure on the short & long pastern bone which in turn will work up the leg to the shoulder, put the back out of alignment which can then lead down the spine to the hip. Shoulders and backs that are out of alignment can have muscle wastage on one side or produce larger muscles on the other (opposite side, where they are compensating the weight)

Compare the above photo to the second Diagram 'Normal' Hoof/Pastern position

The other thing that one of the Farrier's mention was something called, High and Low Ring Bone. He has a suspicion that Eli has Ringbone, but isn't sure as to whether or not it is High or Low and one will is considered bad if you were to ride the horse whereas the other doesn't seem to cause too much trouble. From what I understand of Ringbone is that it is a growth on the bone that is found either in between the hoof  (coffin bone) and bottom part of the short pastern (considered Low Ringbone) or found in between the top of the short pastern and bottom of the long pastern (considered High Ringbone) The only way to confirm whether or not a Horse is suffering from High or Low Ringbone I believe is to have an xray done. 

SOME HORSE DISEASES TO BE AWARE OF THAT AFFECT THEIR HOOVES

Here is a list of some diseases and ailments that affect their feet: 

• Abscesses
• Contracted Heels
• Corns
• Laminitis (Founder)
• Navicular Syndrome 
• Sand Cracks 
• Seedy Toe
• Thrush
• White Line Disease
• Foot Rot (Canker Infection) 

There are many products on the market including books to help identify signs and symptoms. The more you know the better you will be able to spot and assist your horse. With all and any concerns you should be sure to consult your Veterinarian prior to treatment or diagnoses. 

Here are a few of the products I have come across that I've found helpful: 

Book: The Solution of Hoof Problems, knowledge, proper care and prevention

To Treat Thrush I've used both Venice Pure Turpentine and Thrush Buster:

If Eli's had sore feet something I've considered picking up is SOLE-EEZE:

Another product I've used to help harden the Hoof Wall's of Eli's feet is Pine Tar:

Other Hoof related products that can be found on the market are:

• Hoof Putty (helps stabilize splits and punctures)
• Hoof Gel (helps prevent hooves from softening) 
• Hoof Hardener (helps to toughen up hoof walls)
• Hoof Dressing (helps maintain hoof health) 
• Venice Pure Turpentine (helps to kill germs of the sole and harden)
• Pine Tar (similar to hoof hardener strengthen the walls)
• Poultice Boot ( is a waterproof boot for soaking hoof) 

Then there are products like clear coats or black coats that make the hooves shiny and some places sell sparkles or polishes (I'd want to assure that they are for Equine use and do not contain toxins)

Why it's IMPORTANT to check the feet!! 

We went out to the Stable the other day, decided to take our Gelding into the Arena to turn him out so he could stretch and play for a bit. My husband decided he wanted to hop on for a quick ride, so I grabbed the gear, tacked up the horse and proceeded to check his feet (before my husband got up on his back) GOOD THING I DID ~ surprised I found a nail in the first foot I pick up (front left)

I call our training and consult with her as to whether or not I should pull it out (I'm not sure how long it is) and seeing as how part of it has not yet gone in we deem it necessary to pull to avoid having it lodged in further.

I grabbed the pliers, held my breath (not sure if it's going to hurt the horse pulling, or bleed?) then proceed to pull. Didn't take much  ~ turns out its was a roofing nail. I contacted the farrier and they informed me an abscess might develop but they will be out to trim and see. So I am going to soak the foot in Epsom Salt and keep an eye on him. It seems he may have picked it up in the Arena's soft dirt, but had we not checked we surely would have walked him across the concrete back to his paddock and risked pushing it in further.

Following the nail incident I contacted the Farrier and the Vet to seek further advice/instruction on what I should do in an attempt to avoid a abscess. I was told that it would be recommended to soak and wrap his foot to draw out any infection causing germs. So that's what I did, with some assistance from the stable owner we soaked his foot in warm water mixed with iodine and epsom salt for 15 mins, then we proceeded to wrap his foot using a gauze or cotton pad with a paste that was a mixture of a bit of water, table salt and iodine ~ just enough to make a tooth paste like consistency. We applied the gauze to the bottom of his foot (face up) and then used the 'boot' we made out of duct tape (making sure the glue didn't stick to any hair around the cornary band) then wrapped that with some more gauze and lastly covered all with vet wrap (that skin or rubber like tensor bandage that is like tape and adheres to itself)

This would help draw out more bacteria and help prevent more from getting in back out in the paddock. The Farrier appointment was then scheduled for as soon as possible to come out and take a look at the hoof and see if digging out a bit of an abscess was necessary etc.