From the Ground Up!
Written by Pat Hall
Horse owners across the nation, at one time or another, all have asked themselves, "does my horse really need trimmed?" Such a simple question that has quiet a few answers. Some points need to be established first. Is your horse sore? Does he look longer then usual? Are his feet chipped? Will his situation be changing? How long has it been since a qualified person has evaluated his feet? These are some questions that you should ask yourself. Obviously each horse is slightly different so each horse might need a different program.
The first observation one should look for is soundness. This is something every owner does so often it at times is done naturally. Most of the time, if your horse does come up foot sore, it might be as small as just having a stone wedged in the foot. Other times it could actually be from excessive length. In which case trimming or shoeing would be needed. Horses naturally will "break off or just wear the excess length on their own in the right environment, but this isn't always the case. If you don't have a job that entails you to ride 15 or 20 miles a day they probably wont wear off everything. So left on their own, there is a chance the feet will grow to the point that it will cause undue stress on the limb. Also balance is a concern. Due to limb confirmation, the feet will grow in certain ways to help support the horse. So if there is flare it could also stress the limb.
During certain time of the year the feet do grow faster or slower than others. Growth rate is strongly tied to sunlight and exercise. The summer is when most do the most riding. With the more use the foot naturally need to grow more foot to maintain the appropriate amount of protection. Summer also holds the longest days. With the extra hours of sunlight, the feet will grow slightly faster anyways. The opposite is true for the winter. In colder climates, we usually have snow on the ground. Having a softer surface the feet don't need as much protection, and they will tend to let go of some sole and frog for better traction. Having this cupped appearance will make the feet look longer then they are. That is why a knowledgeable person should also evaluate the feet if there is any question.
Being in Colorado, we have the privilege of many different environments so close. Many of us live down on the "flat ground." Yet we ride in the mountains often. It isn't hard to figure out why our mountains are aptly named the Rocky mountains. Believe it or not ridding in the rougher terrain can be useful. The smaller rocks will wear the foot off quicker than soft soil. They also break off small pieces of hoof wall. But it is a double edged sword. We can't control how much the rocks take. If you are riding in the mountain often, then shoeing your horse would be a option to consider. But that is another chapter. Chipping, to a minor extent, will naturally happen. It is also a good measure of how often the feet need trimmed. To help prevent chipping, have your horse trimmed before the foot has too much length to chip out. A more frequent schedule might be all you need.
If your horse will be going to be in a different situation such as training or more riding having a farrier trim your horse would be far more controlled than merely the mountain. Having been trained and on going practicing foot care, we can quickly and efficiently remove only excessive length and flare. We also understand how and what the feet need to function properly in different environments. We do need you to mention any changes in the horse's life big or small.
Being farriers, we are rightly expected to know the most about the horses foot then anyone else. After all we were trained and educated and always strive to further our knowledge. Getting under horses every day, we can take your horses foot condition and the information you give us, and come up with a plan the will work for both your horse an you. Being around horses as often as we are we know how much your horse has that can come off before they get sore. Before I mentioned the cupped foot looking longer then it is. This is when someone that doesn't have the skill in reading feet could get into a lot of trouble. You wouldn't take your car to just any mechanic would you? Knowing how to do something is important, but knowing when to stop is the priceless part.
Some horses have better confirmation than others. Some grow quicker or slower. Each situation calls for different requirements. So the next time you ask your self "does my horse need trimmed" just run down a few of these questions and feel free to call us anytime. We are always looking to better serve you.
