7. Mud can cause problems such as thrush,
quarter cracks, and cracked heels. More to the
point, it causes the horse to lose shoes more
easily. The main reason why shoes are lost in
mud is because when the foot is wet, it expands.
8. The Solution:
The best thing that can be done to
prevent this from happening is to
control the presence of mud in your
horse’s life. When building paddocks,
try to ensure that they have adequate
drainage; digging drains to divert
runoff around the paddock can also
help to keep the ground dry.
9.
10. Hoof Condition
The Problem:
The condition of the hoof
wall also has an influence
on the hoof’s ability to keep
a shoe on. Where the hoof
wall is strong and elastic,
the wall will be stable and
the nail holes will keep their
shape, keeping the nails
snugly in place.
11. The Solution:
Like most things with
horses, hoof condition is
strongly influenced by
nutrition. One of the most
important substances for
hoof wall condition is biotin,
which can be fed in the
form of nutritional
supplements like this one.
Farrier’s Formula is also an
old favorite.
12.
13. Overreaching
The Problem:
Overreaching is a common
fault in the horse’s action.
When the horse moves, his
hind foot should step on or
over the print left by the
front foot on the same side
(“track up”). Some horses,
particularly those with
short-coupled or long toe-
low heel.
14. The Solution:
It is possible to limit a horse’s
tendency to overreach by
correct trimming of the foot,
particularly if the horse has long
toes. Shortening the toes and
correcting the hoof-pastern axis
will improve the horse’s action.
However, it will likely always
remain a risk for some horses,
and these can be turned out
wearing overreach boots.
15.
16. Faulty Shoeing
The Problem:
Most farriers are
professional, reliable
people who know what
they’re doing, but there’s
always a bad apple
somewhere in the area. If
you’re unlucky enough to
end up with an unskilled or
careless farrier.
17. The Solution:
If multiple horses in the
stableyard are losing
shoes, the farrier might be
the problem. Educate
yourself on what a properly
shod foot looks like and
ensure that your horse is
being shod correctly.
18. Hoof Stamping Due to
Flies
The Problem:
Horses are one of the
most tactile-sensitive
animals in the universe.
Despite being almost ten
times the size of humans,
their skin is significantly
thinner, making it easier for
their touch receptors to pick
up on sensation.
19.
20. The Solution: This problem
can be mitigated by
appropriate fly control. One
method that will give almost
instant relief is to apply a
suitable fly repellent to your
horse’s legs at least once a
day. It’s also nice to have a
gallon refill on hand.
NO HOOF NO HORSE
