19/04/2024
Here is something to think about when assessing your horses feet and their problems
Susceptibility to Hoof Infections
Some horses seem more prone to thrush, white line disease, or hoof abscesses than others, possibly due to genetics or conformation. Some individuals have stronger hoof walls and thicker soles, while others have weaker, thinner structures. Some breeds tend to have tougher, more robust feet overall.
“If horses have conformational faults that cause them to overload a portion of the foot, there is more stress on those parts (and more likelihood for separations), and the hoof is also more likely to deform if it is soft,” says Lydia Mudd, DVM, a certified farrier through the AFA and an equine veterinarian at Janssen Veterinary Clinic, in Sheridan, Indiana. “This may allow microbes access, especially if there is already an overloaded or weakened spot in that hoof.”
Health status also plays a role. “Are the horses on an appropriate diet? Do they have any other health issues like PPID (pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction) or metabolic disease? Are they battling any systemic illness? Overall health can have a huge effect on hoof wall quality,” she says. “Also, is there any history of other hoof diseases that might change how the hoof wall grows? Laminitis, for instance, can compromise long-term hoof integrity, as can injury to the coronary band that causes abnormal hoof growth.”
Hoof structure is like building structure. “If the outside of your house is solid and has never had a problem, it will be more resistant to water damage, earthquakes, or other forces,” Mudd explains. “But if a tree fell on it last year and the damage was never fully repaired, it may not withstand further problems.
“You can’t always tell whether a certain horse’s feet will have problems,” she continues. “And some owners just want a magic supplement or topical medication that will fix a problem when the most important thing is trying to fix the environment, if possible—along with putting in the daily time and effort to keep the feet clean.”
—Heather Smith Thomas
