Re: wide front feet

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Posted by Kristen on August 11, 2003 at 22:20:53:

In Reply to: Re: wide front feet posted by Patty Stiller on August 11, 2003 at 18:51:57:

: : Hi! I have a question about my 2 yr old thoroughbred's front feet. His front feet look almost like dinner plates because they are real wide at the base. I have had a couple farrier's look at them and I've gotten varied opinions on what I should do about it. One farrier told me that they would grow upwards and would become normal with time because he's going to be pretty tall, while another told me I needed to shoe him to make them form correctly. My horse's hooves grow incredibly slowly and in the last 6 months that I have had him he's only had to have his feet rasped because they grow so slow. Do I need to shoe him, or will this fix itself with time?

: : Thanks,
: : Kristen

: The overall width of a foot (as seen at its widest point) is not so important as correct form and balance.
: Some horses have naturally big feet which are perfectly formed, short hoofwalls, free of underrun heels or any flares.
: Others however may have underrun or tall heels,( both abnormal) and consequently develop flared in the quarters as the heels run forward and shove the wall at the quarters outward. Also a lack of proper trimming, or infrequent trimming, or an overly wet environment can cause flares.
: So, what you need evaluate is: Is the foot is symmetrical,hoof walls free of flares,dishes, bulges and are the heels short and NOT underrun?
: Or, is the hoofwall flared in the lower portion , and are the heels long or underrun? If the latter, you need to have a serious discussion with your farrier about encouraging that foot to get more normal, and it CAN usually be done barefoot. It is normally not in the best interest of such a young horse to shoe him unless the environment is such that he cannot go barefoot without getting sore feet. Patty

Thanks for your help Patty. His heels seem quite low and I would like to fix the problem barefoot, but I'm not sure if it's possible because his hooves grow so slow. I have had all the flares on his feet trimmed off.

Thanks Again,
Kristen

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: : : Hi! I have a question about my 2 yr old thoroughbred's front feet. His front feet look almost like dinner plates because they are real wide at the base. I have had a couple farrier's look at them and I've gotten varied opinions on what I should do about it. One farrier told me that they would grow upwards and would become normal with time because he's going to be pretty tall, while another told me I needed to shoe him to make them form correctly. My horse's hooves grow incredibly slowly and in the last 6 months that I have had him he's only had to have his feet rasped because they grow so slow. Do I need to shoe him, or will this fix itself with time? : : : Thanks, : : : Kristen : : The overall width of a foot (as seen at its widest point) is not so important as correct form and balance. : : Some horses have naturally big feet which are perfectly formed, short hoofwalls, free of underrun heels or any flares. : : Others however may have underrun or tall heels,( both abnormal) and consequently develop flared in the quarters as the heels run forward and shove the wall at the quarters outward. Also a lack of proper trimming, or infrequent trimming, or an overly wet environment can cause flares. : : So, what you need evaluate is: Is the foot is symmetrical,hoof walls free of flares,dishes, bulges and are the heels short and NOT underrun? : : Or, is the hoofwall flared in the lower portion , and are the heels long or underrun? If the latter, you need to have a serious discussion with your farrier about encouraging that foot to get more normal, and it CAN usually be done barefoot. It is normally not in the best interest of such a young horse to shoe him unless the environment is such that he cannot go barefoot without getting sore feet. Patty : : Thanks for your help Patty. His heels seem quite low and I would like to fix the problem barefoot, but I'm not sure if it's possible because his hooves grow so slow. I have had all the flares on his feet trimmed off. : Thanks Again, : Kristen

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