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Horse Care and Hoof Lameness

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Introducing 'Uncle Pete', the Farrier

Pete Wherrett, the founder of this website focused on Horse Care and Hoof Lameness has over 35 years experience with horses.
As well as owning several horses, 'Uncle Pete' has been a qualified farrier for the last 30 years.
His equine career kicked off with jobs such as groom and head-lad.

His aim is to help others prevent or reduce the many equine problems that can be avoided by better hoofcare, horse care and general stable management.
More about Uncle Pete

Hoof Care & Lameness

Hoofcare is a major factor in preventing Lameness to any horse.
As the saying goes "No foot, No horse".
There are a few basics that should be applied, oils, and cleanliness, picking out plus of course the shoeing or trimming. Only qualified farriers can do the shoeing & trimming but everyone should know when this needs doing & what to look out for. Angles, length, cracks or loose nails.

Horse Feed

Feeding is very crucial to the health, growth & strength of the hooves.
It can actually be seen on the hoof with changes in diet. Also conditions the horse is keep in has influence (i.e. stables, paddocks & weather), but good hoof care can minimize any affect caused by wet or dry conditions.
Getting the feed correct can be crucial. That goes for when and what to feed and the amount.

Six basic rules:

Hard feed little and often
Plenty of forage
Dont work for at least one hour after feed
Avoid sudden changes in amounts given
Horses differ! The art is getting the right amount for each horse and work to feed ratio
Water should always be available

Link for horse feed:
www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk

Laminitis

Most cases of Laminitis are miss-management of feed to work ratio.
Too much goodness, from too much food not used by the horse, swells the laminai in the foot.
This can (rotate or) force the pedal bone down and puts pressure on the sole, resulting in lameness. A very bad case could end with coming through the sole.

Heathy Hoof Growth

The hoof itself is built up of many structures with different roles; the wall is made of hair fibre!
There is a certain amount of flexibility to it and grows all the time and quicker in the healthier horse.
The sole grows too and the frog. The sole obviously protects the bottom of the foot and the frog has many jobs, not least, pump the blood back up the leg.

[Front feet shod] [Hind feet shod]

Tendons

Often a problem, the best care is to build the fitness of the horse over time and not to rush, 6 to 8 weeks is advised.
Keeping the feet regularly shod every 4 to 5 weeks helps.
In the photo's above, the front foot, 'off side' and hind foot 'near' clearly show the correct angle.
A straight line should run down the pasterns and the feet.

However, a tendon problem can occur at anytime! No fault of anyone, it may be due to the horse just messing about in its paddock.

Navicular

Often asked about, so I have included comment here. Whatever care or management given, nothing can avoid it!
Its just bad luck! A growth or damage to the 'Navicular bone', rubs the tendon that runs behind it.
On/Off lameness, with no heat or other signs is a good indication. Only a vet can accurately diagnose this. The farrier can raise the heels to help. The vet and farrier will advise the best action.

Stable Management

Everyone has thier own situation with stables and paddocks, how often they use each and when.
The important thing here is that often the feet need to be cleaned and dried.
Stables are to be kept as dry as possible as too much moisture for too long can cause thrush and mud fever. The feet can become very soft too, and are more likely to get punctured soles.

Farriers

Shoeing & trimming correctly by a qualified farrier is recommended.
A "Farrier" carries out the "Art" of shoeing horses. A 4 year apprenticeship is undertaken before being qualified.
This makes them very specialized in the horse from the knee or hock down.

Many problems can be found and/or or put right by the farrier, but a vet has the added advantage with many aids,(i.e. x-rays), so is to be called upon if the farrier can't help.
As said earlier, many problems can be eliminated by good horse care, Stable management & Hoofcare

Welcome to our website dedicated toHorse Care and Hoof Lameness