Hoof Question

I was picking Thunder's right hind hoof today and I realized almost the whole thing was white. He has very hard dark feet, can it change??? Did the farrier do something you think? I don't know much about feet and I'm certain it has never always been that color. It feels softer as opposed to his others that are hard as rock. I also noticed that one of the others has some patches that are white. Am I going crazy? Lol

Hi,

Is it the frog or sole that's white? What's your weather been like? If the paddocks have been waterlogged, the frog could be too & has become lighter in the process. If the sole is white & flakey, this is excess dead sole that is sloughed off usually. Perhaps his walls have been allowed to become longer, or the feet have become more concave recently for some reason.

I wouldn't worry about this of itself, but it depends what accompanies it. Sending hoof pics will get you some experienced opinions on his feet and visiting hoofrehab.com will start you well on your 'journey of enlightenment'!<G>

Hey thanks for the tips! It's the sole that's white and the weather has been dry but there's mud. I'll try and get some pics up tomorrow.

The soles of our mares always get very light when it's been wet and we ride them, especially on asphalt. It's never been a problem, and I've always assumed it's just what they look like when they get are getting worn/cleaned up from riding.

White sole is normal. It's dead sole material that's flaking off. Your farrier just didn't trim all the extra off last trimming or your horse's feet are growing faster than normal OR he's not wearing the bottom of his feet as quickly as he has in the past. No matter the cause, it's not really a big concern. You can scrape it out with the dull side of a hoof knife if it will make you feel better .