Barefoot with flaky sole... is this normal or shall I continue to freak out?

[manyspots]

My guy has been barefoot for an entire year and for the most part he does well. He doesn't have the greatest feet in the world which I fully acknowledge so I do ride in hoof boots more often than not for a few reasons:

1) backyard horse situation and no ring so I cruise around my the dirt track in my yard... a combo of sand/dirt/small stones, etc.

2) we trail ride, so conditions are variable, including sand pits.

This guy has always been sensitive to rocks, so hence we do the hoof boots = no issues.

TODAY, I pulled him into ride, and proceeded to pick his feet to put on his boots. The front left is fine, no issues to note. The right front scared me... I picked frogs out then went to scrape the dirt off the sole and a quarter sized area of sole just crumbled out. Underneath was the chalky white sole. I pushed on it with my pick and it is hard under what fell out. This area is just to the right of the frog, about halfway between the frog and wall. I went on to ride, no issues.

We had extremely dry weather for a few weeks, then we were wet for an entire week. Now it has been dry again for several days. He is on 24/7 turnout, comes into his bedded and matted stall to eat, so feet do get a chance to dry. Paddock is a dry lot, not a mudhole even with a ton of rain.

Any insight? Should I call the farrier and slap shoes and pads on? :o A little freaked!

[JHUshoer20]

Is just dead sole naturally exfoliating. Don't worry about it.
George

[BornToRide]

It is normal for soles to shed - did it change anything? Did it make him more tender?

[manyspots]

Nope, not more tender. I think it just freaked me out because it was like a chunk! Not deep, just more than I would have expected to see.

How often does this shedding happen? Also, the frog on this hoof is shedding too. Is that also normal?

[BornToRide]

It tends to happen around this time of year when hoof growth speeds up and yes, it is also normal for frogs to shed around this time of year :) I do seem to see it more in hooves that are in transition and still healing though. I trimmed a mini yesterday (new client) who has very healthy feet and he showed no signs of shedding his frog or wanting to. He had the healthiest frogs of all 3 horses I trimmed.

After the flaky sole came out, did the sole show better concavity?

[manyspots]

Yes, it did show better concavity. Actually, that was one thing I was thinking about a few days ago when I picked his feet. I said to myself, "this is wierd, he has LESS concavity than he has had in the recent past." That was one thing that took some time when we pulled the shoes last year... he was SO flat. In the fall and through the winter, they looked nice and concave and then started looking a little less so lately.

[hitchinmygetalong]

To the OP: I suggest you listen to some simple, common-sense information from an experienced farrier...
Is just dead sole naturally exfoliating. Don't worry about it.
George
...and beware of any "the sky is falling" histrionics from others. Your horse is fine. His feet are fine. Enjoy.

I remember one day a number of years back, I was picking out my horses feet and was SHOCKED :eek: to find his entire frog was "falling off"! I called my farrier and he was very kind in pointing out that it was completely normal. I was a little embarrassed as I considered myself a fairly well-educated horse caretaker. You learn something new every day.

[chancellor2]

If a chunk comes out, wouldn't there be concavity period? Is that not the very definition of concavity???

[BornToRide]

Yes, it did show better concavity. Actually, that was one thing I was thinking about a few days ago when I picked his feet. I said to myself, "this is wierd, he has LESS concavity than he has had in the recent past." That was one thing that took some time when we pulled the shoes last year... he was SO flat. In the fall and through the winter, they looked nice and concave and then started looking a little less so lately.
Very Good - this usually means a big improvement in hoof health!! Generally this means a better suspended coffin bone:)

[chancellor2]

So, BTR, I know you are a licensed massage therapist. Are you also a certified barefoot trimmer? Or are you posting questions on another BB to get answers to reply over here?

[Auventera Two]

I wouldn't worry about it. Even if they are rather large "chunks." As long as the horse is sound and comfortable, then no problem. It happens all the time when there has been a little extra moisture, or if the horse just hasn't been working or moving enough to wear it out a bit at a time. :)

[manyspots]

To the OP: I suggest you listen to some simple, common-sense information from an experienced farrier...

...and beware of any "the sky is falling" histrionics from others. Your horse is fine. His feet are fine. Enjoy.

I remember one day a number of years back, I was picking out my horses feet and was SHOCKED :eek: to find his entire frog was "falling off"! I called my farrier and he was very kind in pointing out that it was completely normal. I was a little embarrassed as I considered myself a fairly well-educated horse caretaker. You learn something new every day.

Thanks guys... you have saved me from calling the farrier and also being embarassed to ask!!!!