[Haas Horse Farm]

^ What??? I am confused by the question.

We live in the state of rocks... most riding horses in MO have to be shod or they will be lame. I lost a show on one of mine while trail riding and she was lame by the time we got back to the trailer.

[CrazyHorse]

I don't know a lot about hoof pathology, but I just had to say your hubbie's soles look just fine That's so funny. I bet he's a hoot to be around!

[JBandRio]

Originally Posted by Haas Horse Farm

^ What??? I am confused by the question.

I think what she means is that very often when you see feet that have high heels and long toes, you also see frogs that are thin and might as well not be there. I too was surprised to see relatively healthy looking frogs on these feet. That that these feet are HORRIBLE, I just expected something less healthy.

We live in the state of rocks... most riding horses in MO have to be shod or they will be lame. I lost a show on one of mine while trail riding and she was lame by the time we got back to the trailer.

Most horses used to being shod would indeed be sore if they lose one while out on a rocky trail, or even just a regular trail. That's not unusual. However, there are more than a couple of barefoot horses who can cruise around on whatever terrain you throw at them. Still more who might have to come back to a trot (or walk) instead of cantering through the rocks. Many who choose to slow down so they can carefully pick their way through the rocks - not because it hurts, but because they just are the more careful type.

[doublebarr]

Originally Posted by JBandRio

I think what she means is that very often when you see feet that have high heels and long toes, you also see frogs that are thin and might as well not be there. I too was surprised to see relatively healthy looking frogs on these feet. That that these feet are HORRIBLE, I just expected something less healthy.

Hmmmmm, it might make someone stop and think that maybe a picture does not always show what we think it shows. Like I said, I'll be back with more pictures after the farrier has left in just 1 more week. They might be supprising.


Forgot to answer some other questions:
First horse has had shoes for 10 years consistantly
2nd for 9 years consistantly
And 3rd for at least 4 years and possibly longer consistantly.

Also, the "crack" that was noticed, well I'll wait till next week to address that "issue" with more pictures

And, these pictures were all taken the same day they were posted. No "back loading" going on.

[JBandRio]

Yep, you can't always judge things by how the foot looks. I've seen some really feet and the horse was perfectly happy to canter across crush-n-run. I've seen beautiful looking feet that couldn't walk on anything but grass.

So you're right, when posting these pictures, asking for a critique, a critique is all that can be given, and thoughts on what one might do differently.

And by the same token, the critiquee (in general, not you in particular) has to recognize that if a hoof form is scary, the fact that the horse might be perfectly sound now doesn't necessarily mean he will remain perfectly sound with that scary hoof. One should always work towards what is visibly balanced, but has to also recognize that aesthetics doesn't always equal functional.