Just a question.
I just got a new weanling a few months ago, and I was wondering what I should be walking him on, etc. for strong hooves? He's in a pretty cushy pasture, so I was thinking rocks/gravel etc? How do I get him used to this? I'm a big believer that the ground in the early stages sets the hoof up to be strong or weak, but I'm sure you guys know about it more then I do.
My understanding is to use pea gravel in areas, like the barn lot, near water, in run ins to help them toughen up their soles. Making strips of graveled areas, like roads that they can walk on or next to if they are not comfy on is good. Making strips they have to cross but are not too wide in case of tenderness is also good.
In the run-in shed is a glorious idea... I'm definitely going to have to try that.
I have crushed pea gravel in our 'parking lot' (I have a big driveway) so I'll just start taking him through there for the moment. Thanks for the idea!
After we went barefoot with our horses, I collected gravel from the creek bed here and made it about a horse length wide from the water tank (about 4 or5 /5 gallon buckets worth. not a lot just a scattering really) The horses had to get all 4 feet on the gravel to get a drink. It worked out really well and I noticed a vast improvement in their feet by the next time a trim was due.
I was walking my horses up and down the driveway too until my trimmer suggested putting the rock around the water tank. *slap forhead* DUH... I thought it was genius!!! :lol:
We're bringing in rock to put at the gates, around feeding areas, and in some of the areas that the horses have trodden down (where they like to walk a lot). I am going to put a concrete slab with a "rough" top under the shelter. Concrete or Asphalt is good for their feet too, and it makes cleaning out the shelter a LOT easier!!
If you can make your gravel about 3/8"+ x 4"+ inches deep, they sink into it better which gives better frog pressure and they like to lay down in it like a bean bag.
But has anyone else had issues with horses urinating on the pea gravel? We just put a 12X12 pea gravel square in front of our run in to help his feet/prevent mud/etc. It is about 3" deep. BUT my horse keeps peeing on it! He acts like we gave him a giant kitty litter box?:?
Peeing in it is not a problem as it acts like a "french drain" where the urine goes through down to the hard pack and out. You can also rinse it through periodically. they pee in it because it doesn't spash back at them.
Good to know. It definitely got rinsed by the rain the other day. It down-poured. He was peeing on and killing the one and only tree in his paddock...so I guess this is a good change of pace:lol:
They pee in it because there's no spash, no biggie, it runs right through. Better than standing in pee and if you want you can rinse it through periodically with a hose.
I'm getting ready to add pea gravel to my turnout. I'm so looking forward to mine peeing outside! Then maybe the inside shavings won't get wasted as much..oh and it's for there feet and to get rid of a mud problem.
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