Hoofcare Highlights

Question 1

three regions of the hoof?

Answer 1

toe, quarters, heel

Question 2

parts of the hoof

Answer 2

be able to ID these

Question 3

what are the 2 types of laminae and where are they attached?

Answer 3

sensitive- coffin bone (blood supply)
insensitive- hoof wall (no nerves)_

Question 4

how are the laminae attached to each other?

Answer 4

velcro like adhesion

Question 5

once damaged, can the laminae ever return to normal?

Answer 5

no! once damaged always damaged like a hair tie

Question 6

what is the largest factor affecting hoof health

Answer 6

nutrition

Question 7

on average, the hoof grows how much per month?

Answer 7

1/4-1/2 inch

Question 8

what are some reasons for hoof growth variation?

Answer 8

breed and sex, etc.

Question 9

do horses hooves grow faster in the summer or winter?

Answer 9

summer

Question 10

average trim cycle?

Answer 10

every 6-8 weeks unless trying to correct an issue then maybe 4 weeks

Question 11

front limbs bear what % of weight? back limbs?

Answer 11

front-60%
Back- 40%

Question 12

do oils, lotions, and conditioners help hoof health?

Answer 12

not really

Question 13

what 5 things does the functional foot have?

Answer 13

parallel hoof-pastern axis
thick hoof wall
adequate sole depth
solid heel base
growth rings of equal size

Question 14

explain the difference between the hind and front hoof shapes?

Answer 14

hind- more oval like
front- more circle like

Question 15

when do you shoe a horse?

Answer 15

when the wear exceeds the growthq

Question 16

when should broodmares be seen by the farrier?

Answer 16

every 6-8 weeks like a normal horse, but many people do not do this especially those with like 30 broodmares that throw them out to pasture

Question 17

does a broodmare need shoes?

Answer 17

some can benefit from this as their weight increases, especially with past lameness or injury issues

Question 18

is there a concern with broodmares having shoes?

Answer 18

fear of the risk of hurting the foal with the shoes

Question 19

what is the eponychium at birth in foals?

Answer 19

the fingerlike soft projections that protect the mare at birth; they do fall off and vanish

Question 20

when should a foal be seen by the farrier?

Answer 20

3-4 weeks of age if nothing abnormal is happening
ASAP if there is issues with the conformation

Question 21

when should you begin messing with foals hooves?

Answer 21

immediately! the sooner the better. it’s easier when they are younger and smaller

Question 22

oif a horse has super flat hoof, what can be used to help during riding? as a hardener?

Answer 22

scoot boots (picture shown in PP)
durasole as a hardener

Question 23

products to help with thrush?

Answer 23

tomorrow, thrush products

Question 24

what is the number 1 cause of sudden severe lameness?

Answer 24

abscess

Question 25

how to treat an abscess

Answer 25

epsom salt/warm water soak and/or poultice

Question 26

explain what causes white line disease

Answer 26

true cause unknown, but often exacerbated by mechanical stress and environmental conditions. More prevalent in warm, moist environments.