Hoof care for pasture-kept horse

[Proffie]

I’m moving my gelding to a new barn where he’ll be on rough board – days out on grass and nights in a big dry lot. As is normal in spring, the ground is wet and, in places (like around the round bales), muddy. He’s an OTTB but actually has pretty good feet – shod in front with plain aluminum shoes, barefoot behind. At his former barn, he was only out 6-8 hours a day so his feet had a chance to dry.

I’ll be able to get out to see him 3-4 days a week in the new place, so I’m hoping you all have some maintenance tips that will keep his feet in OK condition when they’re constantly wet. Any product recommendations or homemade topical remedies you can suggest??

TIA

[JB]

Regular cycles of wet/dry can be a difficult situation with shod feet, as the expansion and contraction will enlarge the nail holes over time, causing them to loosen.

Areas that are wet enough will get “sucky” and can cause front feet to move too slowly, allowing hinds to reach up and grab shoes. Bell boots- 1 size too big - can help with that, but aren’t a guaranteed fix.

Painting Tough Stuff or Keratex Hoof Hardener around the nail holes as soon as the feet are shod, and a few times a week, might help. But that sort of environment still takes its toll on shod feet. Once feet are dry - not just dried off but DRY, painting the Hoof Hardener on all the walls, and letting things dry for a bit longer, might help.

Whatever you do, don’t put anything oily/greasy on them. They need to be hard/harder, and oils/salves/etc will just soften them.

[csaper58]

Another vote for Keratex Hoof Hardener, Used as directed on the label.

[piedmontfields]

If you think he could make the switch to barefoot, that might work better in a full turnout situation and given how much you plan to check on him.

[Magicboy]

Other than losing an occasional shoe, we haven’t had any problems with this. I’d try the Tough Stuff if you are worried.

[tabula_rashah]

I live in MD where it’s soaking wet from dew in the morning, bone dry from heat in the afternoon, often wet at night from storms, and mix of mud and frozen through winter. My horses have always lived outside and while most of them are barefoot, I’ve also never had any issues with the shod ones losing shoes. I’d say I’ve literally only had 2 lost shoes in the past 15 years. As long as you have good farrier and aren’t leaving them go to long in between visits, you should be good. I don’t put anything on the walls.

[Proffie]

I might be able to transition him to barefoot, but before I try that I’d like to see how he does with shoes.

I just ordered a pair of oversize pull-on bells and some Keratex. Thanks for the input!!

[mmeqcenter]

Thrush Buster 1x week or just as needed and Turpentine on the sole every time you go out.