Just curious, my horse has huge frogs, some are a little bigger than others. One back foot, the frog is actually much taller than the hoof sole itself, if that makes sense. They are very healthy, no signs of thrush, and one front frog looks like it is about to slough off. I try to touch the frogs and the sole as little as possible when trimming touch ups, and I’m just curious if maybe the frogs should be trimmed more? My horses are barefoot, and I think the big thick frogs will give them extra traction in the oncoming icy/snowy winter, so would like to leave them. Just curious what others think.
Pictures will help, both a direct side/lateral view of the foot, a 3/4 side view, and a straight on solar view.
Not all huge frogs are healthy - they can be prolapsed, often due to a negative palmar angle.
If the hoof itself is healthy, then leave as much frog as the horse is comfortable with. They only need targeted trimming for dead stuff, and if their thickness puts them too much above the heel height and makes the horse uncomfortable.
The foot will form to function. Any unbalance, internal problems, gait abnormalities, external stresses, etc. will mold the hoof to what is needed for the most protection and function. I agree with JB. Take only as much as necessary and let nature do what she will if the horse is sound.
Thanks. I’ll try to get some pictures if it ever stops raining and dries up a bit! I don’t think the frogs are prolapsed, I just wondered about trimming them a bit more. I’ve been reading a whole bunch of the threads here on trimming, and it got me thinking about his frogs. Most other horses I’ve seen/worked with (not trimming) would have much smaller, neater frogs, that the farriers/trimmers had cut to that shape.
Constant wetness can “fluff” frogs, so that’s not the best time to really evaluate them.
There’s value in trimming the edges of frogs so that dirt and junk can’t get trapped on the grooves.
