Re: Barefoot Peruvian Paso with deep frogs picks up rocks

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Posted by Patty Stiller on May 03, 2004 at 23:46:39:

In Reply to: Re: Barefoot Peruvian Paso with deep frogs picks up rocks posted by John Barney on April 30, 2004 at 09:53:40:

: : : I bought a 17-year-old Peruvian Paso gelding a few months ago. He has VERY hard black hooves all around (called "Blue Stone"?). He has never worn shoes and was raised in the mountains a very rocky area. We mostly ride at a state park that is an old mining site. There are areas of crushed rock you have to cross, but most of the trails we ride are well-maintained, hard-packed dirt. The last two rides, he has picked up a piece of crushed rock that wedged into the deep frog of a hoof (different hoof each time). I don't see how shoeing him could help this problem and don't have any other ideas of what to do. Any suggestions?

: : I would first ask if the frog was trimmed, not that you want to get rid of the frog but I always trim the sides of the frog and remove any flaps, I do this clear to the back of the foot, I like to leave a groove from the back of the foot to the front of the frog. This is a bit hard to explain. But this groove allows the foot to clean itself better and also makes it easier for the owner to get a hoofpick in there and clean things out. I don't think shoes would help either.
: : good luck
: : Dave

: I agree with Dave. If the trim is not the problem, you might need a protective boot( if the area you ride is long enough to warrant it) otherwise carry a hoof pick and when you notice the gait change dismount, clean it and press on. Good luck.

: JB

First be sure the feet are not overgrown, thus creating abnormally deep frog commisures.
Then my advice is to ride or place the horse for a little while somewhere in soft dirt, damp is bestso it can pack into the foot. Let the feet pack up full with dirt and LEAVE it in there.Do not pick it out before you ride. There is no valid reason to pick perfectly good dirt out of a horses foot anyway,as the naturally packed dirt helps the frog and bars function optimally. Packed dirt is part of natures design. The added bonus is the packed dirt will help keep out sharp rocks.
If you have no good dirt available (such as from a soft trail or riding arena)there are options such as making your own mud and packing it in with boots or wraps overnight. (don't laugh,I know horse owners who do that and it works) Patty

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: : : : I bought a 17-year-old Peruvian Paso gelding a few months ago. He has VERY hard black hooves all around (called "Blue Stone"?). He has never worn shoes and was raised in the mountains a very rocky area. We mostly ride at a state park that is an old mining site. There are areas of crushed rock you have to cross, but most of the trails we ride are well-maintained, hard-packed dirt. The last two rides, he has picked up a piece of crushed rock that wedged into the deep frog of a hoof (different hoof each time). I don't see how shoeing him could help this problem and don't have any other ideas of what to do. Any suggestions? : : : I would first ask if the frog was trimmed, not that you want to get rid of the frog but I always trim the sides of the frog and remove any flaps, I do this clear to the back of the foot, I like to leave a groove from the back of the foot to the front of the frog. This is a bit hard to explain. But this groove allows the foot to clean itself better and also makes it easier for the owner to get a hoofpick in there and clean things out. I don't think shoes would help either. : : : good luck : : : Dave : : I agree with Dave. If the trim is not the problem, you might need a protective boot( if the area you ride is long enough to warrant it) otherwise carry a hoof pick and when you notice the gait change dismount, clean it and press on. Good luck. : : JB : First be sure the feet are not overgrown, thus creating abnormally deep frog commisures. : Then my advice is to ride or place the horse for a little while somewhere in soft dirt, damp is bestso it can pack into the foot. Let the feet pack up full with dirt and LEAVE it in there.Do not pick it out before you ride. There is no valid reason to pick perfectly good dirt out of a horses foot anyway,as the naturally packed dirt helps the frog and bars function optimally. Packed dirt is part of natures design. The added bonus is the packed dirt will help keep out sharp rocks. : If you have no good dirt available (such as from a soft trail or riding arena)there are options such as making your own mud and packing it in with boots or wraps overnight. (don't laugh,I know horse owners who do that and it works) Patty

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