Hoof Separation

I've been having this challenge the last few years. I've tried to limit their grazing time by keeping them in a dry lot, letting them out in the pasture at night.

Recently I've begun to question whether I should delete the supplement. They get a rounded teaspoon of pelleted supplement, designed to compliment pasture forage. Also they get 1/8 cup boss and 1/2 cup oat groats. (This works to give my older boy the joint supplement) I can't imagine the small amount of supplement causing the problem, but I'm ready to consider it. I've been using the same feed regimen for about 10 years. A few hoof issues during that time, but the separation is mainly in the last two or three years.

No laminitis issues, just the separation. They are trimmed every 4 weeks.

Excellent article here on white line - largely caused by fungus from damp conditions, etc. http://www.hoofrehab.com/whitelinedisease.html

Another article. http://www.thehorse.com/articles/12747/white-line-disease-in-the-hoof

Are you wetter than usual the last couple years. Different hay? Different bedding?

I've been dealing with some white line issues with one mare; just when I think I have it cleared up, it's moved to another hoof. I think I may finally be keeping up with it and may soon over take it so we can get her all healed up; but I'm not holding my breath. I've had to change a few things in the last couple years, I can't really remember when it started for sure; but it seems to be getting better the last year, so hopefully, current diet and management is working.

I tried to take pictures but they turned out blurry. I'll try again tomorrow. I see absolutely no sign of fungus. We've been dry for a couple of weeks here. I clean their feet every day. When we go for our walks/drives, it is on pavement or gravel. But they are on soft pasture/dry lot the rest of the time. I have pea gravel around the water tub.

Hubby helped me take pictures. This is the left front. Both photos are the same hoof.

The right front has the separation on the same side. Inside on the right, outside on the left. Hind hooves are okay. Trimmer coming for the 4 week trim on Tuesday.

Sure looks like what's going on with my girl. Was it chalky looking inside before you cleaned her hooves?

I've mostly been using iodine, when I remember to, so that would mostly be when I'm trimming every 4-6 weeks.

Sometimes the problem is mechanical and it left unchecked can lead to many problems including white line disease. The first thing I see when I look at your photos is a contracted heel.. not the worst I've seen but look how far the heel bulbs are from the heel, the central sulcus is squeezed deep and long. With the heel left so long the hoof is growing narrow and long as opposed to oval so the frog and the hoof itself is stretched looking. The heels need to be cut back and widened. This is fairly common in Miniature Horses...farriers tend to not lower the heels. If you'll open that heel up and lower it then the hoof will widen and the toe can be shortened.

This horse is my 19 year old gelding. I've had him for 15 years and trimmers have worked with his "coffee-can" feet the whole time. That's one reason the horses are on 4 week trim schedule. He has very upright hooves. I don't think he was trimmed often before I got him, so maybe it set a growth pattern?? Heredity?

There isn't any chalky stuff when I clean out the crack.

I will try for photos of the other horse. His feet are wider and not upright. But he has the same issue. I havent' had him a year yet, and his hooves were not that great when I got him, so I'm hoping eventually they will get better.

The articles were very informative. I think I will make a spray bottle of vinegar. Vinegar is a wonder product, so it may help here, too.

My dil is a certified barefoot trimmer. She moved away, so does not do my horses any more. I will send her the picture. She knows this horse's feet very well! My trimmer follows her fb page, so maybe I can get her to mention something about miniature feet and he will read it.

One problem, is trimmers are so touchy. I am reluctant to suggest anything to him. I've encouraged him to take down the heel several times. He shows me what his plan is; it makes sense, so I just keep quiet.

I am a worry wart and have made up my mind to relax and not get so freaked out about every little thing. A tick on their tails that makes blood? A scrape on the face from a mesquite? Is that lethargy or is he just relaxed? Why is he laying down?? I worry about driving on the pavement or gravel because of joints, but the article says they need to move on hard surfaces for their hooves!

http://www.lifedatalabs.com/products/life-data-hoof-clay

Hi Marsha, I have just started using this product , its from the makers of "Farriers Formula" . My farrier just told me its a new product so I got some off him to try on my TB.

Ask your farrier what he thinks but it could be good from stopping the wet/ damp conditions entering into the hoof, especially if your heading into winter.

P.S hope the price is a little more 'friendly" for you, Its an imported product here and I think it cost me $70 for the little tub.

Ryan Johnson said:

http://www.lifedatalabs.com/products/life-data-hoof-clay

Hi Marsha, I have just started using this product , its from the makers of "Farriers Formula" . My farrier just told me its a new product so I got some off him to try on my TB.

Ask your farrier what he thinks but it could be good from stopping the wet/ damp conditions entering into the hoof, especially if your heading into winter.

P.S hope the price is a little more 'friendly" for you, Its an imported product here and I think it cost me $70 for the little tub.

Click to expand...

Thought I would try it. $17, including shipping. Tea tree oil, iodine, yucca extract in the clay. If it packs into the crack and keeps debris and little rocks from lodging, that will be a good thing. I will ask my trimmer today also.

Trimmer was here and I told him about the product. He is interested. By the time he comes again, I will have had a chance to use it.

Most of the separation on Dapper Dan pared off today, but there are still a couple of places I will try the clay.

Rowdy's feet all trimmed off cleanly. Whew.

I tentatively mentioned "contracted heels" to him, but got no response. I believe he is a good trimmer, so I am going to trust him. He has other clients with the same hoof issue. Possibly it is exacerbated by our extreme climate -- so the grass gets stressed and sugary.

Thats great , let me know what you think, im using it every 2-3 days on both fronts on one of my TBs.

Hope it helps your little guy

The hoof product arrived today. It smells really nice and has a nice texture. I think it will be easy to use. I will apply it this evening when it cools off a little and I do my chores.

I like the specs I read on the Hoof Clay thanks I'm going to order some and try it. I also love a product called No Thrush it's a powder that works like a charm and NO mess to apply like regular goopie liquids.

edited to add ... P.S. I also use a feed through supplement called Remission.

It was like working with wood putty. I packed it into the crevices with my fingers. Next time I will try to be a little neater as it needs soap to wash off. Looking forward to checking it in a few days!

I think I can already see improvement. Is that possible so quickly? I've applied it 3 times so far. I just keep a paper towel handy to wipe my fingers and it is easy to use now. I cleaned out the residue and reapplied almost every day. Just curious what was going on in the crack so I had to look. There was some grass and dirt, but no gravel or small rocks. Yay!

That's wonderful! I would think it's possible yes. I battled a terrible case of Canker in one of my mares feet once and one of the products I ordered made a significant difference by the next day.

Marsha Cassada said:

Thought I would try it. $17, including shipping. Tea tree oil, iodine, yucca extract in the clay. If it packs into the crack and keeps debris and little rocks from lodging, that will be a good thing. I will ask my trimmer today also.

Click to expand...

Where did you order from? TY

chandab said:

Where did you order from? TY

Click to expand...

I went to the link that Ryan posted and ordered off their website.