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One of our horses has been cutting herself quite badly when running at racing pace and intially we thought it might be caused by one hind leg striking the other. We now think that it might be one of the front legs causing the problem.
The upshot is that tonight she runs with one complete front shoe, one 3/4 front shoe and no rear shoes. (Interestingly, none of that is currently required to be declared but if she shows a marked improvement tonight that will almost certainly be the reason).
So that I can try and form an objective opinion on what to look out for during the race, I would really appreciate any feedback from anyone who has owned or trained a horse that was prone to cutting itself and how they identified the cause and solved the problem.
Before anyone suggests bandaging the hind legs, we did that on her debut run for us and it didn’t stop her cutting herself through the bandages.
I’m afraid I can’t help you here but I would be interested in watching as to see how it runs if you’re willing to share the name?
Are you sure the horses isn’t over-reaching? ? ?
My 2 Thoroughbreds (both ex racehorses) are barefoot, and have been for about 14 months now, as shoeing actually weakens the hoof.
They can be a bit ‘footy’ at first, but if it is the back ones that are barefoot, the horse should be ok as the frogs are generally higher on the back hoofs, i.e. further from touching the ground, as opposed to the fronts.
I’m afraid I can’t help you here but I would be interested in watching as to see how it runs if you’re willing to share the name?
Helpmeronda 7.50 at Wolverhampton.
Are you sure the horses isn’t over-reaching? ? ?
My 2 Thoroughbreds (both ex racehorses) are barefoot, and have been for about 14 months now, as shoeing actually weakens the hoof.
They can be a bit ‘footy’ at first, but if it is the back ones that are barefoot, the horse should be ok as the frogs are generally higher on the back hoofs, i.e. further from touching the ground, as opposed to the fronts.
Hi Gaz
Thanks for that.
I think the position of the cut made it look as though it wasn’t an overreach but we’re still trying to work it out at the moment.
Does the fact that the frogs are further from touching the ground effectively make the hooves more like a tyre with a tread rather than a ‘slick’ tyre (sorry, not very good analogy)?
You may want to get your vet to speak to the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket. They could put your horse on their treadmill and video how it moves at various paces and give you some options.
You may want to get your vet to speak to the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket. They could put your horse on their treadmill and video how it moves at various paces and give you some options.
That’s an excellent suggestion Adrian. The only question is whether the cost is justified as the most obvious explanantion for her form to date is that she simply isn’t very good.
Hi Gaz
Thanks for that.
I think the position of the cut made it look as though it wasn’t an overreach but we’re still trying to work it out at the moment.
Does the fact that the frogs are further from touching the ground effectively make the hooves more like a tyre with a tread rather than a ‘slick’ tyre (sorry, not very good analogy)?
Hi Tuffers.
Just out of interest, where was/is the cut? ? ?
Basically, when the frog is lower to the floor, the general hoof sole is lower to the floor, meaning that the chance of soreness is increased.
When the frog is in a higher position, the sole of the hoof is further away from the floor.
So a frog being further from the floor helps the sole to be further away from the floor, which can reduce the chance or soreness when barefoot.
Can’t offer any advice but – if you didn’t know already – Simon Earle has run many of his horses without shoes and indeed is/was very keen on the practice. Did quite well too in comparison with his peers on the lower rungs of the training ladder.
So perhaps you have little to worry about regarding injury or damage to unshod feet, particularly on polytrack
Good luck with the experiment
There is a fella involved with heavy horses that comes to the show at Capel Manor, Enfield every year (day after the Derby and a right good cheap day out, go every year as it is just up the road). He has a Clydesdale X Cleveland Bay – yes unusual to say the least. It has not worn shoes for three years. He is a practicioner in a form of equine podiatry. Fascinating to see, the horse is as sound as they come and apparently is regularly ridden at the gallop along a disused railway. Shame it was not closer to the show, I would have got you his details.
This problem will be worse on all weather as the front hoofs slide back on the sand as the hind legs come forward. Deep harrowing makes things worse. Video analysis will not show this unless you do it on an AW track.
No plates hind legs and toe grabs on front plates might help.That is correct for UK.
Wonder if kevlar bandages on the forelimbs would help. This material is used in anti-stab vests and may resist puncturing.
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