Posted by wendy on November 03, 2003 at 12:14:19:
I am taking care of my cousins 30 yr old quarter horse mare, for her. This old girl has been turned out to pasture in a boarding facility for several years with a minimum of upkeep. With the change of pastures and stress of moving this spring she foundered. Her feet were long and her joints were stiff before the move. But now the poor old girl is in trouble. The layer of hoof that lies between the outside and the sole is spongey and black, and the outer wall of the hoof is breaking off.I'm afraid she is going to loose both of her front hooves. I am not a farrier but I have always trimmed all our horses feet and since there are no farriers in my are that I have found to be dependable I am learning from one of the old time farmers who has a bad back but a pretty good memory how to shoe. He is suggesting to soak the mare's feet in kerosene. But that is his answer for everything from bruises to barbed wire cuts, so I would like a little more updated info on this please.
Thank you in advance.
Wendy