Hard ground & barefoot care.

[SCF01]

What do you do for foot care when the ground get's extra hard? I have a barefoot horse with hooves of steel (normally). The ground is so hard and dry they're starting to chip up.

Do you ever pack the feet? Use other hoof treatments? I'm a fan of Keratex hoof hardener and Gel but I think they are meant for use in more wet conditions.

[ChocoMare]

I just re-roll the toe/wall if they chip. No goo, no packing.... just a few swipes with the rasp.

[ladipus]

What do you do for foot care when the ground get's extra hard? I have a barefoot horse with hooves of steel (normally). The ground is so hard and dry they're starting to chip up.

Do you ever pack the feet? Use other hoof treatments? I'm a fan of Keratex hoof hardener and Gel but I think they are meant for use in more wet conditions.

durasole to toughen/harden....and magic cushion to pack feet for pain relief...corona hoof dressing on the outside of hoof make more pliable and to keep moist and prevent further chipping/cracking

[caballus]

The hooves are merely 'self-trimming' by chipping cause the walls are too long. That's all. Be *thankful* for hooves of steel! Take a rasp and smooth them up a bit if you feel you must. Do you know what New England people are complaining about? Soft, thrushy hooves from all the rain! Guess we just can't win, eh? *GRIN*

[JB]

Another one here who just tries to keep on top of the bevel.

[ChocoMare]

The hooves are merely 'self-trimming' by chipping cause the walls are too long. That's all. Be *thankful* for hooves of steel!

Amen... hooves are meant to be dry and HARD. I thank God every time I sweat bullets trimming my draftie mares, both of which have hooves like rock. :yes:

[SCF01]

Mine are trimmed every 6 wks but next cycle I'll likely switch to 5 wks.
I actually bought a rasp about a year ago and tried it once. It was MUCH harder than it looks when the farrier does it. :yes:

[grayarabpony]

Another roller. It really works wonders.

[rcloisonne]

I actually bought a rasp about a year ago and tried it once. It was MUCH harder than it looks when the farrier does it. :yes:
Ain't that the truth! Which is why I prefer to pay the "big bucks" for someone else to do it. :lol:

[grayarabpony]

I couldn't trim without a hoof stand. And I still find working on the bottom of the foot a bit awkward. Thankfully I only have two horses to trim.

[anchorsaway]

Renew the mustang roll/bevel :)

Other than that, the chip might look ugly but hey, your horse is just self-trimming!

[ChocoMare]

I couldn't trim without a hoof stand.

Me neither, so I made my own! http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2950881390015305252YBboMX (see lower left corner).

I bought a HEAVY cast-iron patio umbrella stand from a pool store. Then off to Home Depot for a length of pipe (hubby cut it to height for me). Then to Dollar General for a cheap dog toy (giant ball)....cut a slit in it and slid it over the top of the pipe.

The wide base gives me plenty of room to stand on it, it doesn't tip over even with my bigguns, yet is quite portable. :winkgrin:

Total cost = $50 :D

[grayarabpony]

I am impressed! It's decorative too. :D

[Chief2]

Choco: Great idea! Nice horse, too. Love those bells!

[ChocoMare]

Thanks guys.... that was from our Christmas Eve trail ride :D They're real antique sleigh bells and sound just loffly as we trot down the Silver Comet Trail.

Back to the hoof stand: I have extra pipe leftover, so am going to have hubby make me a sling (like on a Hoof Jack) so working on the bottoms will be easier. This way I just interchange them.