To shoe or not to shoe? There used to be an old wives tale that white socks were bad: One white foot, buy him. Two white feet try him Three white feet, doubt him. Four white-feet do without him. Part of the reason for this is based somewhat on fact, that the hooves of horses that have white feet are somewhat softer than the hooves of horses that have dark feet. This makes the white-footed horse slightly more susceptible to abscesses and cracks and throwing shoes. And then of course theres always the landmark exception to the rule; Secretariat- Revered by most as The Greatest Race Horse of all Time had three white socks. Now I never watched the movie so I dont know how accurate the story was but I do know the fact that Secretariat was unfortunately put down due to an irreversible case of Laminititus which is a debilitating hoof disorder. Rocky is a 5 y/o Missouri Fox Trotter (Gelding) who is of the Champion lineage of Sensations Traveler and Black Cherokee who has two white socks on the hind. Rocky has been enjoying open pasture with his daughter Baby for almost a year without shoes. Recently when I decided it was time for some new shoes I noticed Rockys rear hooves were splitting so I after I clipped frogged and rasped him up as far as was was safe he still had a split about 1 up. His Gate has always been awesome. He has no limp and is frisky as ever. For now his split hoof is just tapped no sign of infection. He may need a boot after all this rain but were not riding him. Looking for advise; Better to shoe now to prevent further splitting? Or let the hoof keep growing out til I can clip and rasp it flush? Split is front and almost center. Vets and Farriers Ive consulted give pros and cons some say it depends if and when I want to ride. Any suggestions?
Posted on: Mon, 14 Oct 2013 23:50:41 +0000
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