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The condition of the foal's
feet should be evaluated
when the foal is four to six
weeks of age. A veterinarian
or farrier is the best
source for this appraisal,
but if you are
independent-minded, here's
what to look for: |
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All four feet should point
forward and toe-out just a
little. The knee and hock
should be in line with the
rest of the leg, from the
point of the shoulder and
the pin bone at the haunches
to the bottom of the hoof.
Foals are often cow-hocked
and knock-kneed, which is
normal to an extent.
Over-correcting normal
toe-out in foals by trimming
the hoof lower on the
outside often results in
pigeon-toed adult horses. |
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The point of the frog should
be centred in the sole of
hoof. The hoof wall at the
toe should be the same slope
as the pastern when viewed
from the side, with the foot
on the ground and the horse
standing and squared up.
When you look at the hoof
from the front, the hair
line and bottom of the hoof
should be horizontal.
The
foal's hoof should look much
like a full-grown hoof, just
smaller. Take care of any
twist or deformity as soon
as possible. For this you
may need professional help
from a farrier or a
veterinarian. |
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To trim the soft baby hoof,
all that is generally needed
are a sharp hoof knife and a
rasp. The baby hoof will
grow out in 5 to 10 months,
to be replaced with stronger
hoof growth requiring hoof
nippers to be trimmed. Trim
the hooves on a regular
schedule. Every 4 to 10
weeks is normal, depending
on hoof growth and wear. Two
important rules: The hoof
wall should not be cut
deeper than the sole. The
sole and frog are not cut
away , only the loose
stuff is cleaned away. |
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Greenacres Stud are
advocates of not shoeing
before the horse is two
years old. Our own
preference is to always
engage a qualified farrier.
Early hoof growth should not
be restricted by shoes. If
however a horse has a
problem that shoes can help,
or if you are advised by a
veterinarian, then shoeing
is acceptable. |
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