Posted by Katy on July 08, 2003 at 22:09:27:
In Reply to: Re: Hard, cracking feet posted by Jack Evers on July 03, 2003 at 15:21:19:
Thank you for your ideas and suggestions. Yes, my mare's feet are definately flatter and more sloped than my gelding's feet. Why would this make a difference? The way I'm thinking right now is the straighter feet would take more concussive force and chip and crack easier than wider, "pan" feet; though I guess there is more ground covering to a wider foot...
Outfitting her with fly sheets is not really an option as I move between Chicago and Lexington and it is hot and humid. I need to find a bug spray/repellant that works well for long periods of time... Also she gets turned out for most all of the day and is inside only during the evening/night. All of your environmental factors sound like they could play a part in her foot troubles as most all apply to her (except she doesn't stay out overnight -but my gelding is out 24/7...). Also in regards to the moisture environment, I thought that it was good for their feet to expose them (freely or otherwise) to different moisture levels and that it was actually healthy for them to stand in water for many minutes a day -- is this true if its consistant, every day but actually bad if its sporadic exposure? The more I think about it, the barn will turnout less, if at all, if the ground is real wet to preserve the grass pastures -- wouldn't this elimate many of the situations you described? Although they do go out earlier in the morning, the grass might still be dew-y...
I will try venice turpintine again and unfortunately have to get shoes on her now to keep her going... Hopefully by next summer I will have this foot thing figured out and will start fixing the problem now! Does anyone have any suggestions for hoof supplements that might work in this case -- fix it from the inside out kind of thing...?
Thanks again.
Katy