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Expert
Posts: 1207
 
| Just got a text from my farrier and he said that I need to be standing my horses in the pond so their hooves will soften up. Anyone ever heard or had their farrier say that? Said I need to stand them in the pond for 10 hours!!! No way can I do that and besides I would have a REALLY big fight on my hands and probably get thrown in the pond. What can I use to soften them up? |
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 A Barrel Of Monkeys
Posts: 12972
   
Location: Texas | He needs to sharpen his nippers. |
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 Expert
Posts: 5293
| I'm always trying to do the opposite!!!! Firm them up! LOL You can always get some paint on hoof moisturizer as well. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 639
Location: God's country...aka TEXAS | Hoof conditioner!!! Too much water actually draws all of the natural oils out and makes them drier. |
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Expert
Posts: 1207
| That's what I always heard. First time I have ever had a farrier tell me to soften their hooves. I had to LOL on the sharpen the hoof nippers. Thanks. |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| Depends on his rationale on why he wants them softer
If the feet are too dry, the feet cannot expand and contract and will actually impede blood flow to the foot.
When the foot hits the ground the foot expands the frog drops pulling blood into the foot. When the foot lifts off of the ground the foot contracts and the frog retracts pushing the blood out.
Too dry of feet can also cause heel contraction which can cause caudal heel pain, and left untreated due to poor circulation long term can cause navicular bone changes. |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | I've had two farriers tell me to overrun the water trough and make them stand in the mud, but never a pond---please, if you decide to do it, get someone to video and then post it on here!!! |
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Expert
Posts: 1207
| I can guarantee you that my one horse would dump me in the pond and then turn around and laugh at me. Yes that would probably be a good "Funniest Home Videos".. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2604
Location: Texas | Hooves are made of the same thing that your fingernales are made of. Ask yourself... is moisture good for your fingernales? As a previous poster said... your farrier needs to sharpen his nippers and strengthen his hands! |
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 Expert
Posts: 3782
Location: Gainesville, TX | Chandler's Mom - 2015-08-24 8:35 PM
I've had two farriers tell me to overrun the water trough and make them stand in the mud, but never a pond---please, if you decide to do it, get someone to video and then post it on here!!!
I've heard this too . . . |
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Expert
Posts: 1207
| He just said that he wanted to make sure and do a good job. I put Fiebings Hoof Dressing on them last night so we shall see. Mine are barefoot and I would think they would do better with harder hooves out in the pasture than soft hooves. I think my farrier is old school. HaHa Plus if you would see him, a slight breeze could probably knock him over. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 669
Location: Central Texas | TBone - 2015-08-25 9:40 AM
Hooves are made of the same thing that your fingernales are made of. Ask yourself... is moisture good for your fingernales? As a previous poster said... your farrier needs to sharpen his nippers and strengthen his hands!
This. If the hooves are not cracking/splitting because they are too dry then I would leave them alone. I would much rather have dry/hard hooves than soft/mushy ones. Through the years I have heard farriers complain about hard/dry hooves and that's usually because it makes their work a little harder. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 851
Location: West Texas | That is silly for a barefoot horse especially. |
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