Chipping Hooves

[outofafrica]

My horse's feet have rather suddenly started chipping and flaring. The chips started about two weeks ago and are fairly noticeable along the edges of the hoof and wall. He is an Irish Draught x Connemara and has always had strong feet, lame only once in the 8+ years I've had him due to stepping on a nail from another horse's thrown shoe.

He is barefoot and has been since last October, with no chips or cracks. His workload was less over the winter months as I was in college and it's cold in Maine ... but he's been increased work since May, with no chips until the last two weeks.

It's been getting a little better with daily application of hoof conditioner. Does anyone have any suggestions as to why the sudden change? I did not change his feed or work routine suddenly. Any suggestions on what to do now?

[ChocoMare]

Stop the conditioner. Goos, goops, salves, etc. just set up a "soft" hoof and an unhealthy environment. Hooves should be dry and hard. Tis a good thing! :yes:

The cracking and chipping is because the hoof is self-trimming. It's telling you "I'm too long and need a trim." So listen to those feets and just shorten your trim cycle -- especially during the warmer months (since growth is usually faster). During the spring/summer, I trim every 3 weeks. During fall/winter, I can do 4-5 weeks. :)

[JB]

Stop the conditioner. Goos, goops, salves, etc. just set up a "soft" hoof and an unhealthy environment. Hooves should be dry and hard. Tis a good thing! :yes:

The cracking and chipping is because the hoof is self-trimming. It's telling you "I'm too long and need a trim." So listen to those feets and just shorten your trim cycle -- especially during the warmer months (since growth is usually faster). During the spring/summer, I trim every 3 weeks. During fall/winter, I can do 4-5 weeks. :)

What she said ;)

[caballus]

Yep ... what they said. *grin*

[LMH]

Doesn't it depend?:confused:

I have seen horses with very SHORT feet chipping and cracking.

Julian for one, when he foundered...his feet chipped ABOVE the sole.

Also the fact there is flaring-not just chipping. The flaring can be mechanical (overgrowth/imbalance) OR it can be metabolic.

It also could be the workload is greater than the feet can tolerate.

[flyracing]

Yes, it is possible it could be something differernt, but probably 95% of the time, with an increased work load and summer temperatures, since the foot will grow considerable faster due to these factors that the horse is beginning to "self trim". OP are the feet chipping above the sole? If so then yes, that is a problem and not a simple case of long-trim cycles. My personal experience would say the other 4% goes to too much workload for the hoof (common occurance with big horses (non drafts)) and 1% to a metabolic problem likely caused nutritionally. But give the limited info we are given... healthy horse, never barefoot in summer before, work load increasing.

If it were a pony, I'd be saying a whole other story ;) but this horse isn't even showing any lameness, just chipping and flairing.

OP call up your farrier and see what he thinks and don't be afraid to get a second opinion... most farriers don't bite and are very helpful.

[LMH]

95%???

I am not so sure about that. And even if it is, is it wise to be SO sure on the internet without even seeing photos or asking additional questions-

oh, such as...what does the horse eat? Has his diet changed since last fall?

What has the weather been in the last 30-60 days? How does it differ from prior to that?

What is the terrain on which he lives? and works?

Not saying it is NOT just basic self trimming but considering the possibility of something that could have some pretty long term fallout, I might ask a few more questions before 'diagnosing' chips and flares?

Or does that seem like a crazy idea?;)

Just thinking out loud here...

[caballus]

First is to think overgrown wall. Self-trimming. Easiest bullet to dodge. If that is not the answer THEN go looking for more hidden *treasures*.

I totally agree with the inquiry as to diet, environment, etc. Should be routine at the very first visit with trimmer/farrier. Changes made as needed.

That being said, stopping the goop (as chocomare said), shortening the trim cycle is first response.

Now all that being said, there is a distinct feel (texture, appearance, even smell and sound) to hooves that are chipping and flaring from pathology rather than merely needing some routine trim. Only that can be assessed, truly, in person. Photos help with viewing the texture and the chipping/flaring.

Got any photos?

[LMH]

I agree with stopping the goop-I just don't agree with shortening the trim cycle.

It depends, it depends, it depends.

If the hooves are short and chipping, trimming off more hoof more frequently is not the answer.

Sorry to be picky-but I am just seeing WAY too many overtrimmed hooves...

[caballus]

Wish we could see some photos, OP?

I would HOPE that a good trimmer or farrier would know WHEN to trim and if the hooves don't NEED the trim that it would not be done! (Just went to a client today whose horse did NOT need the scheduled trim -- so, didn't trim! ... ) I guess, tho, that its not always the case.

I have an article, OP, that explains the balanced trim of healthy hooves ... perhaps that might help you to assess what might be going on. You can find it under the EDUCATION section at http://www.barefoottrim.com. Look for the article on "The Balanced Equine Hoof". Lots of photos with specific markups and explanations.

[TikiSoo]

My horse's hooves (bare foot) used to be perfect, but moving to a new barn they started chipping. I complained to the farrier and he said, "try this between trims" and tossed me a "used" rasp of his. He told me to keep the foot round as it wears kind of square and bevel the edge.

I only have the strength to rasp one foot a day, but keep up with it and the chipping has stopped!

[Auventera Two]

Poor diet, incorrect trim, too much long-term moisture, working the feet beyond their capability. Can't even begin to say what is going on without a LOT more information.

And I don't agree that chipping means too long = shorten trim cycle. Some of the worst chipped hooves I've seen were very short. Two different horses - in both cases they were eating a hay only diet and the hay was pretty poor at that. The diet was lacking a good vitamin/mineral balance and they just didn't have what it takes to stay healthy.

[flyracing]

Poor diet, incorrect trim, too much long-term moisture, working the feet beyond their capability. Can't even begin to say what is going on without a LOT more information.

And I don't agree that chipping means too long = shorten trim cycle. Some of the worst chipped hooves I've seen were very short. Two different horses - in both cases they were eating a hay only diet and the hay was pretty poor at that. The diet was lacking a good vitamin/mineral balance and they just didn't have what it takes to stay healthy.

But did those horse have healthy, strong, feet that didn't chip and then they suddenly started chipping? The horses you describe seem to have the classic "bad feet" (regardless of cause) where as the OP's horse's feet are not chronic chippers; they have started chipping with a combination of harder work and the summer months. Both things increase growth substantially.

[rcloisonne]

The diet was lacking a good vitamin/mineral balance and they just didn't have what it takes to stay healthy.
And let's not forget adequate amounts of high quality protein (think essential amino acids which must come from the diet). Hooves are mainly composed of protein. Far too many folks try to reduce protein content in the mistaken belief it makes horses hot. This leads to poor quality hooves.

[queennile]

Have your flies been worse recently? Maybe he's stomping more and his feet are showing the effects. I know that's sometimes the case with my barefoot mare in the summer.

[LMH]

But did those horse have healthy, strong, feet that didn't chip and then they suddenly started chipping? The horses you describe seem to have the classic "bad feet" (regardless of cause) where as the OP's horse's feet are not chronic chippers; they have started chipping with a combination of harder work and the summer months. Both things increase growth substantially.

Mine had wonderful feet and started chipping when he was turned out on a rich clover filled pasture when I was out of town. His feet chipped and kept chipping and getting shorter and shorter.

He also foundered that glorious weekend-but either way, his feet were WAY insane short and still chipping.

Hard work and summer months may increase growth BUT summer grass (or the fallout from spring grass) can also cause founder or a low grade laminitis that can weaken the hooves (or more specifically the hoof wall connection) and, voila, chipping.

Hard work can also result in increased wear, so you can then have short feet that are chipping.

Diet can change seasonally-the amount and quality of pasture (if pasture is in the diet) or hay quality could have changed-change in diet, change in hooves, voila, potential chipping.

As with all things equine, (and I quote Rick Burten)...it depends. :)

[Oakstable]

What does it mean to bevel the edges? photos of foot with and without a beveled edge?

[oldpony66]

What does it mean to bevel the edges? photos of foot with and without a beveled edge?

http://www.wildheartshoofcare.com/Mustang%20Roll.htm

Some people call it a mustang roll, there's probably even other names for it. I just call it rounding off the edges.