Is it alway necessary to trim the frog?

[Huntertwo]

My POA has been barefoot as long as I've owned her. Goes great -we do a lot of trail riding.

I was having a barefoot trimmer trim her, but when I changed barns, she couldn't travel that far.

I love the farrier I use now, but in the past I asked him to leave as much frog as possible. Now as time has gone by, I notice he is trimming back the frog. Perhaps he forgot?

Noticed the other day that she is a little ouchy on gravel and tries to avoid it. Could this be because the frog has been pared back? I'm certainly not an expert, but I always thought the frog should be left when possible.

Her hooves are great, no cracking, no thrush.

I just wanted to ask before I remind him again.

Thanks.

[grayarabpony]

I think part of the reason farriers trim frogs is that it's easier to make sure the heels are correct, if you're not trimming all the way to live sole.

I always leave the frogs, but it does make trimming those heels correctly a bit more difficult.

[Patty Stiller]

Sometimes the frog will shed off seasonally(once or twice a year). The shedding usually happens after a rainy spell or a snow melt. If it is shedding at the time of the trim, getting ready to peel off, the thick loose layer can be removed and occasionally the new "baby frog" underneath will be tender for a few days. So don't always assume the farrier just arbitrarily cut it off, as it may have been ready to come off anyway.

[Huntertwo]

Sometimes the frog will shed off seasonally(once or twice a year). The shedding usually happens after a rainy spell or a snow melt. If it is shedding at the time of the trim, getting ready to peel off, the thick loose layer can be removed and occasionally the new "baby frog" underneath will be tender for a few days. So don't always assume the farrier just arbitrarily cut it off, as it may have been ready to come off anyway.

Patty,
Would it be ready to come off at every 8 week trim? Because I notice that the frog is always pared off at every trim and she seems a bit ouchy after this.

I don't know enough about it and don't want to tell him what to do if he is doing the correct thing. (I hope that makes sense)

[ThoroughbredFancy]

When my farrier trims my gelding he does remove some frog. I can't say it's every trim or every foot but he does it as needed IMO. I'll see it shedding and some chunks getting ready to fall of before the trim and it appears he just helps the process because after the trim they're gone and there is new healthy frog.

It's never created any soreness that I can recall.

[Daydream Believer]

I trim frogs as little as possible...but I will clean up frogs that are shedding or messy or overgrown. I do think as much healthy frog as possible should be left with each trim.

[Sobriska]

NOT saying that trimming the frog aggressively is not making the horse sore. But.....I would certainly look at the rest of the trim.

Is this farrier also paring sole? Are you watching the trim? Are they rasping a lot at the toe?

Many reasons for a foot sore horse. Not limited to trimming, BTW. Consider time of year, and environment just to be safe.

I should also mention that if the horse is sore after every trim, either tell trimmer to back off or find another. IMO, inexcuseable for the person to make horse sore every time.

[Patty Stiller]

Patty,
Would it be ready to come off at every 8 week trim?No. I was just tossing that out for consideration. not having all the facts. Because I notice that the frog is always pared off at every trim and she seems a bit ouchy after this. I do not usually 'pare' frogs. I do take off loose bits and take of flaps that cover it up the central sulcus.
IMO the frog should not be pared "clean" so to speak unless the horse is getting full pads that will cover it up. .
I don't know enough about it and don't want to tell him what to do if he is doing the correct thing. (I hope that makes sense) Pictures of a fresh trim/shoeing would help, to see just how much he is taking.

[TikiSoo]

I trim frogs as little as possible...but I will clean up frogs that are shedding or messy or overgrown. I do think as much healthy frog as possible should be left with each trim.

That's my farrier's philosophy.
For my 25 y/o pony's entire barefoot life, her sole had always been trimmed up until I moved and started using the farrier I have now. I once asked him why he doesn't trim & shape the sole. His answer, "Eh, that's just for "pretty" sake. And you run the risk of going too far and possibly making the foot tender."
I have to defer to him, he's the expert!

[Huntertwo]

NOT saying that trimming the frog aggressively is not making the horse sore. But.....I would certainly look at the rest of the trim.

Is this farrier also paring sole? Are you watching the trim? Are they rasping a lot at the toe?

Many reasons for a foot sore horse. Not limited to trimming, BTW. Consider time of year, and environment just to be safe.

I should also mention that if the horse is sore after every trim, either tell trimmer to back off or find another. IMO, inexcuseable for the person to make horse sore every time.

She is only a bit ouchy walking on gravel. I can take her out trail riding after a trim and she is fine over bigger rocks. So in his defense, he is not making her sore to the point where I can't ride. Not at all.


I guess I'll ask him to leave as much frog as possible next time he trims.