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What does a bad hoof look like?

15K views 4 replies 4 participants last post by  claireauriga 
#1 ·
Whereabouts does a hoof start being a 'bad' hoof? I know what a really bad hoof looks like (overgrown, deep splitting, etc), and I now what a really good hoof looks like, but when should you start to be concerned? I'm not worried about the stables where I ride, the horses are all in good condition there, but I've seen other horses that aren't in such good nick. I know hooves may have minor splitting, very shallow short cracks, and careful shoeing can prevent a bad crack from becoming a dangerous one, but just when do you start to get worried about the horse's feet?

Pictures are also useful, if you can provide them! Thank you!
 
#3 ·
It can be hard to describe in so many words..and depends on what you mean by "bad" hoof. I've seen some with really pretty hoof walls that had all sorts of thrush/rot problems when you picked it up or had other sole issues. Yet I've seen some horses with lots of grass cracks and chips that overall had really healthy, sound feet.

Bad trims, however, can be spotted. Tall, steep feet that look like the horse is on stilts (usually happens just with shod feet) are lameness cases waiting to happen.

Long toes/low heels where it appears the hoof/pastern angle is broken back is another extreme in the opposite direction.

Deep cracks, missing chunks are indicating the lack of a trim in most cases.

Thin hoof walls that are prone to flaring and splitting are mostly a genetic issue, compounded by bad farrier work or poor nutrition.(TB's are the best known for thin walls)

Horses with thick hoof walls tend to get the bad angles and massive broken chunks eventually , and again, is more of a genetic blessing/curse, depending on how you look at it.

A good, well trimmed hoof, should short, with the hoof wall angle matching the pastern of the horse. The hoof should land heel first or flat when in motion. The horse should stand squarely over it, not appearing to be leaning forward or backward. The hoof itself should be free of cracks/chips/ breaks and especiall flares. Upon picking it up, there should be a smooth, concave sole. The frog should extend about 2/3 of the sole's length, and be firm, and almost "meaty" looking. The bars (extension of the wall that turns and runs parallel to the frog) should taper off into the sole and only extend a short ways along the frog. There should be no foul odors or crumbly, powdery gunk.


First two pics are of the same horse..he had had "stilts" for feet for a while, but this is after a few trims/pulled shoes. He has great, sound feet now. Need to update them. the angle was a little high in the heel, but overall, I think it shows a nice hoof.

The third and fourth pics are two diff. horses. The third has thrush, broken, weak hoof walls, despite the thickness and was tender footed. The last hoof is one that has thin walls prone to splitting and cracking, obviously the pic is documented before I pulled the shoes. Believe it or not, that shoe had only been on 5 weeks, I think! Just a taste of what bad feet can look like.




 
#5 ·
Thanks, everyone - that's really enlightening!

As I said, the horses at my stables have good feet and see the farrier once a month. But at another stables, most of their horses are unshod or only have fore or hind shoes, and their feet aren't always in the best of nick. I've seen some that are on the edge of getting too long and lots that had thin cracks in. None of those I saw were lame, though some were on the thin side of perfect rather than the chubby side, but I was wondering whether their feet were okay, and if a few cracks are to be expected, or if they aren't getting the best care ...
 
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