My horses feet are squishy from the snow. Any advice?

[littledog]

This may sound weird, but do your horse's feet smell normal? If they have thrush, you can usually smell a rotten smell, like a combination of burning hair and rotting vegetables.

All the products mentioned above are great - in addition, my farrier recommended a product called "tomorrow" when my horses had thrush. It comes in tubes (amazon has it) which last for several treatments. It's actually for cows, was very reasonable in price, and killed the thrush in a few days!

If it's been a long time since your horse had her teeth done, she might have some soreness afterwards if the vet has to do a lot. Having Bute on hand is a good idea, plus if she is sore, you might want to feed her a warm mash for a couple days if she's having trouble chewing.

 

[ButtonHoarder]

Oh also , while I’m blabbing about my horses, one is getting her teeth floated for the first time since I’ve owned her, is there anything I should do for her afterwards??

Nope, but if the vet has to give her a sedative she might be wobbly!

 

[ButtonHoarder]

Make sure you get a good farrier that others recommend. And if they're terrible with your horses don't let them come back. Is your horse good with her feet? If not, try to find someone patient who won't resort to hitting her. I've had bad experiences with farriers, and you don't want your horse to go through that, and she'll remember for next time.

 

[Quarterhorses1]

I’m going to try to respond to everyone at once.
1. I have a very good farrier that has been working with this horse for a year or so, even before I owned her.
2. I am applying thrush spray to her feet now, and I’ll let you guys know if that helps. She’ll see the farrier in a week , so they might be able to give me something else to put on it.
3. I do have bite for her teeth, but last time I gave her bite, she had very runny poop for a couple days. Should I give it to her anyways?
Thanks for all the help guys!!

 

[picklestheduck]

Thank you!! This really helped. I’m new to owning horses, and I got her from a neglect case, and it was said that she was “ up to date on everything “ but when I asked about her teeth they said that she had never had her teeth done, and she was not cared for in her original home for two years sooo I believe it’s about time. I’m nervous that she’ll freak out on the vet she only really likes me , no other people. I’ll let y’all know how it goes tho.

Talk to her calmly the whole time she gets treated and praise her when she stays calm and lets him work on her. Some horses need to be sedated when worked on, its just hard to say without knowing the horse well. Good luck! Keep us updated!

 

[Quarterhorses1]

Talk to her calmly the whole time she gets treated and praise her when she stays calm and lets him work on her. Some horses need to be sedated when worked on, its just hard to say without knowing the horse well. Good luck! Keep us updated!

Ok I will. She is being sedated very lightly as she is currently sore and doesn’t want her mouth touched. I’ll keep y’all updated

 

[picklestheduck]

I have no idea if this is what your horses feet look like but my mare has an awful heel crack. She has been lame for a long time and we finally are getting a hold on it with this treatment.
https://fouroaksproducts.com/dangera-heel-crack-is-a-warning-sign-thrush-alert/?fbclid=IwAR0x4X6L5r8gEKMV61kxf8s9h7ZZoCzraDoTFWZE6nMet2SP3OT7N72p7Nw

 

[picklestheduck]

Ok I will. She is being sedated very lightly as she is currently sore and doesn’t want her mouth touched. I’ll keep y’all updated

Perfect! Horses need encouragement especially if they are nervous and stressed. They need that reminder thats its gonna be ok. My mare is an Arab cross (so shes naturally more spooky and high strung) and whenever I talk to her and tell her how good shes doing she calms down.

 

[Quarterhorses1]

Perfect! Horses need encouragement especially if they are nervous and stressed. They need that reminder thats its gonna be ok. My mare is an Arab cross (so shes naturally more spooky and high strung) and whenever I talk to her and tell her how good shes doing she calms down.

Yes mine too. She’s a quarter Appaloosa cross. She loves to be talked to and she refuses to be in a stall without a human. She’s 16 and she does English, western and jumping. She was a lucky find with a kind heart and a pony companion. She loved her pony, that’s for sure

 

[Skye'sDucks]

I agree that it's probably thrush or the frog shedding like people said before! What I personally use for thrush is iodine. When it gets bad, I like to use this orange vetercyn spray stuff that's actually for umbilical cords, but the vet said it can be used for thrush, because it's kind of like a strong iodine type spray I guess lol. It's called Vetericyn super 7 ultra. Gets rid of thrush nicely.

Hoof care is extremely important, like others said and I'm sure you know. The farrier for the mare I train is always advocating for me to use hoof oil, and I suggest you could get into the habit of using that too. It's great stuff to keep their feet in good condition. Apply it on the outside of their hoof and all on the inside and over their frog, etc. I personally use Fiebings hoof oil and I love that stuff.

Sometimes, also, when you treat thrush or if the frog is shedding, it might look messy or kind of messed up until your farrier can clean it up. Also, in thrush I have noticed some horses will get pockets or holes in their frog, not just a crack between their heel bulbs. It depends on the horse and how bad the thrush is.

Just thought I'd add in my voice too!