Take a look at the photos below and let us know what you think has happened to this horse and his once beautiful barefeet.
Here is a bit of background on the horse.
1. The horse is an Arabian/Draft cross. It is approximately seven years old.
2. The horse lived on a small island off the coast of Maine (east coast USA).
3. The horse was purchased and was shipped from Maine to Arizona.
4. The horse had beautiful bare feet and has never been shod.
5. Upon arrival in southern Arizona, the horse had a clear liquid coming from the coronet bands on each hoof. The liquid did not continue but the new hoof growth is odd and flaky.
7. The flaky material on the hoof wall can be peeled away. When peeled off, it bleeds by the hairline.
8. The horse has been on a dry turn-out for several months with bermuda hay.
9. Others horses are at the same property, with same feed and same trimmer. Other horses have beautiful feet.
Stress rings and flaky material above what was once a nice hoof.
This area at the back of the frog/bulbs is very sensitive. It will bleed if the flaky material is peeled away.
What are your thoughts? What do you believe is going on with this horse and what steps can the owner take to get the horse and barefeet back in good condition? We would love your feedback.
Garrett Ford
President & CEO
I have been President and CEO of EasyCare since 1993. My first area of focus for the company is in product development, and my goal is to design the perfect hoof boot for the barefoot horse.
