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Post by ladyndibs on Jan 7, 2012 2:30:59 GMT 1
My gelding has a problem with his frogs, they are all a bit soft but one in particular is also quite ragged, the hooves themselves are in really good condition.
He doesn't have thrush, he lives out 24/7 so it's impossible to get his feet to dry out. When it was dry I got some good results using cidar vinegar sprayed on them but with it being so wet it's not helping. I've tried a couple of pastes that I can pack in but though they seem to have almost stopped the deterioration I wondered what you would recommend.
Feed wise he is still just on grass with one small slice of hay a day.
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Post by jen1 on Jan 7, 2012 3:15:53 GMT 1
make sure that the raggy bits are not so bad so to trap dirt under them, apart from that your a bit stuck, id maybe towel them off really well and give them a wipe over with milton,
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Post by specialized on Jan 7, 2012 9:18:08 GMT 1
Living out 24/7 with current wet conditions there is little you can do, unless you have a yard area you can bring him onto for a few hours every day to dry his feet and provide some stimulation to the frog. Alternatively a spell of work on the roads every day will do the same thing.
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cuffey
Olympic Poster
Posts: 962
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Post by cuffey on Jan 7, 2012 11:22:16 GMT 1
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Post by ladyndibs on Jan 7, 2012 11:43:44 GMT 1
That made interesting reading as my boy also has some bleaching around his eyes which I have researched and found is often due to lack of copper, he was on copper and the bleaching disappeared, his feet were also a bit better at the time but put it down to the dry weather. He'll be so pleased as he'll need a small feed to put the copper in....already have some.
Could you let me have the name of the product you use on your sheep, as though I have a field stable if I tried to shut him in there would be no stable left after a few minutes. I normally clean his feet and wash what I can out, can't get his foot in anything he goes nuts, then leave him munching his hay on a very deep bed.
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Olivia
Olympic Poster
Sparrow's Flight
Posts: 533
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Post by Olivia on Jan 7, 2012 12:17:25 GMT 1
Is he shod? If not, I would be doing lots of roadwork to get them stronger and healthier. My barefoot tb who's in work hasnt suffered at all with the wet weather (out 24/7) and still has nice solid frogs where as my barefoot pony who's retired and so doesnt go on anything other than grass has virually no frog left :/ They've just sort of disintegrated! I'm spraying them with foot rot spray which has got rid of the thrush but until the ground hardens up I cant see the actual quality improving.
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Post by mandal on Jan 7, 2012 12:56:32 GMT 1
Is he sore? Soft frogs due to the wet isn't necessarily a problem...
Is there a deep central frog cleft? Agree with jen1 just remove any flaps but no major frog trimming as well as time in a dry area if possible each day. If you can get his frogs dry apply sudocreme or one of the red horse products.
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Post by jen1 on Jan 7, 2012 14:52:48 GMT 1
woooowwwwww you cant say that and not tell us what its called, ;D |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2012 18:01:07 GMT 1
If you sat in a bath all day would you expect to keep your skin dry? Nope, and that's what's happening with your horse's frogs. Of course they'll be soft if they're wet all the time, but as mandal says if he's not sore then it's not actually a problem. If they've got a deep central sulcus then you need to clear out any infection and pack it, and if the frog is shrinking then work on sand or gravel will help stimulate more growth - tarmac won't do anything unless the frog is full enough to be in contact with the concrete when he's walking on it.
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Post by ladyndibs on Jan 7, 2012 20:08:46 GMT 1
Thanks for all the advice, one of his feet is a bit sensitive when I pick it but it was after he had a major hoon round the field and there are a few flints coming through with the rain so I suppose he could have caught his foot on a stone as it's probably the frog in the best condition of the four, there is no central cleft, they are just a bit ragged and smaller than I feel they should be.
probably just finding something to worry about as usual
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Post by donnalex on Jan 7, 2012 21:25:42 GMT 1
Cornucrescine Hoof Disinfectant or Swan Hoof Disinfectant whichever you find it easiest to get hold of. Both the same thing and once is enough usually.
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Post by spiderwoman1 on Jan 7, 2012 23:17:05 GMT 1
I would recommend Red Horse products feild paste on a daily basis proceeded with a good spray with sole cleanse... Sudocream is also good. The frog could just be exfoliating which is quite natural.. Do they smell? Walking across a mixtures of surfaces s mentioned above will also help stimulate the growth of new frog material.
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Post by legoverlady on Jan 8, 2012 20:15:49 GMT 1
Hi there, paint them with iodine once or twice a week and that will fix it. The stuff farmers buy for sheep etc is fine and it's really cheap. It will harden and disinfect the frog and the iodine penetrates so it doesn't matter if the frog isn't completely dry. It can also be painted on the sole and the wall of the hoof to do the same job. Amazing stuff!
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Post by ladyndibs on Jan 8, 2012 20:24:09 GMT 1
Legoverlady is that the iodine that is fed to sheep or is it something designed for putting on feet?
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Post by legoverlady on Jan 8, 2012 20:28:05 GMT 1
Just liquid iodine.... farmer's usually buy it in big bottles to apply to newborn lambs umbilical cords etc.... any feed shop/farmers merchant should do it.... I get mine online. Hang on and I'll find the link. An old farrier and shire horse man told me about it years ago. Mine all have t on routinley and it's amazing. Have also used it on barefoot horses, it prevents white line disease and hardens the sole and wall so good for horses with crumbly feet.... and it's dirt cheap! Let me find the link....
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