French Trotter

[CharlieR]

I have recently rescued a ten yr old French Trotter who I think raced for most of his life. I am trying to reschool him to make him suitable for hacking, i.e. back to basics, but he seems to have some sort of interference problem (he is barefoot at the moment), as when he is rasped you can see bruising (?) in the hoof wall, just above the toes on both hind feet. There are also traces on the front sometimes and now I think I can see a deep bruise (?) just below the coronet on one of the front feet.

Any ideas on the cause, plus what I can do to help it, would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

[Jack Evers]

Without more info - environment, workload, pictures, etc I can't do more than throw out ideas, but if it's not bothering the horse, I wouldn't worry about it. If he had black feet, you wouldn't see the bruising and wouldn't be worried.

That said, a horse that has spent his life in a racing environment - the world is flat and the footing is good - may just be careless about his feet, not watching where he puts them. After all, he's never worried about that before. My first registered horse (a quarter horse) many years ago was one of those. I paid a month and a half salary for her in Oklahoma and when I got her to the Wyoming mountains, she turned out to be incredibly clumsy. I was so disappointed, but she improved rapidly and became one of my all time favorites as she learned to watch her footing.

[CharlieR]

Thank you so much for such a quick reply.

I've taken some pics today to give you more of an idea of the problem, and wonder whether these will change your original thoughts.

Front

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk44/wilson-2008/Front.jpg

Hind

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk44/wilson-2008/OffHind.jpg

I look forward to hearing from you.

[Jack Evers]

Charlie

I see nothing to concern me. There's some apparent flaring (hard to tell from the angle) near the bruising. Flares equal torn laminae equal blood seepage and apparent bruising. Round the hoof wall ground surface more to remove the forces that might cause flaring. I don't know how much wall extends below the sole, but if there is very much, it could also cause the flares.

If the horse is sound, I'd just let these bruises grow down and off and see if it becomes a reoccurring thing before worrying about it. Bruises in a foot are just like our bruises, They're often old and non painful when they're most apparent.

[CharlieR]

Once again, many thanks for putting my mind at rest.

As you advise, I will monitor the situation now without worrying about it too much.

What an excellent website this is, especially considering that you're giving the benefit of your knowledge and experience free of charge. I will certainly use it again if I have any more problems, and by the way, I definitely know what you mean about the 'good old days'!