AboutJoepaul Meyers,C.J.F. Expertise With 35 yrs. as a Certified Journeyman/Master Farrier, I have taught at the Univ.& Trade School levels. My specialty is Veterinary Farriery
Lameness and Therapeutic shoeing.
Question We have had nothing but rain for months.last time I had both my Quarter horses feet trimmed,(2 mounths ago) my mare developed cracks up the front of her feet the next day I couldn't do much riding in the weather we've been having but now my other horse has white line disease.
I feel very ashamed it developed that fast and I didn't see it I hurt my back and didn't clean his feet for a couple of weeks. My mare isn't lame and doesn't have it but the cracks she developed up the front of both front feet next day after her last trim got deeper do I need to check my farrier or is this completely my own fault?IM so worried my boy is in a fair bit of pain what do I do?
Answer HELLO LINDA...THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTION...
First off...what you are explaining to me ALL can be fixed!
SMILE...it's not your fault...things happen.
My home base is Oklahoma.I travel a minimum of 6/7 states so
I understand extreme weather conditions. We came outta of
a 3year drought and had 63 inches of rain in 2007 !!
In Winter time you can easily go 8 weeks on a trim/ the hooves normally grow slower in the colder weather. You might try and have them trimmed alittle sooner at 6/7 weeks and have your farrier try an acrylic type hoof coating. It helps maintain moisture/ repel excess water. The best in my
opinion is Edward Martin's hoof coating sold by Wagon Mound
Ranch Supply, Solano, N.M. #800.526.0482
By trimming them alittle more often, it will put less strain on the wall/hoof capsule itself and help with the cracks and the coating will ward off some of the moisture the horse doesn't need. Apply once every 6/7 days usually
is all that is needed.
AS far as the "white-line disease" make sure that is what your farrier has found. Nasty, muddy conditions and thrush like matter WILL infect the outer stratum of hoof wall and cause similar problems. With white-line...you will have severe wall separations, sometimes a grey matter in between the layers of wall. It has most of the time, almost a
"gun powder" smell to it. I have great success with debrying
it as much as possible and using methiolate daily. You can get methiolate from your veterinarian or farrier. DO NOT
USE BLEACH !!
You were worried about your horse hurting?? The cracks, unless they run deep into the sole or run vertically toward
the coronary band, should NOT cause pain. As long as your farrier is leaving enough sole as not to pick up too much pressure or be too short where the wet hooves will be too soft and thin.
One more thing...using Kopertox or 2% iodine 3 times a week
on the sole and frogs will really help in wet conditions and keep thrush and soft soles from being a big problem.
Hope this helps you alot. I have good luck with my clients using this system.
Best to you...If I can help with anything else, let me know.
