Common Hoof Problems

During her daily field visits to farms and acreages around the Saskatoon area equine veterinary specialist Dr. Kate Robinson sees a wide range of hoof issues in horses many of them preventable with a consistent daily hoof care regimen.
Robinson stresses the importance of daily hoof checks. Besides picking out their feet owners can visually assess their horses' hoofs and learn what's normal for each animal. That way they can recognize any changes and identify problems as early as possible.
Horse owners also need to be aware that certain hoof problems show up more frequently at specific times of the year. 

When we have wet conditions in the spring and fall that's when we see more abscesses says Robinson a field service clinician and assistant professor at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine WCVM. We also see laminitis or founder more often in the spring and summer and sometimes into the fall when pastures have particularly rich grass.
Analyzing the hay helps us to know whether it's an appropriate feed for horses that are prone to laminitis explains Robinson. It also lets us know that horses are getting the proper levels of the vitamins minerals and proteins they need to build their feet properly.
Robinson also emphasizes the value of good farrier care. In her view the most important measure owners can take is to provide farrier care for their horses every six to eight weeks from the time they are one month old
. While a farrier is adept at treating common hoof problems Robinson advises owners to consult a veterinarian when they see signs of lameness in their animals. 
Lameness can be caused by a variety of issues other than foot problems. It's often a sign of a more advanced disease process and should be checked out by a veterinarian. 
She adds that only veterinarians are qualified to prescribe pain medications, so they need to be consulted in cases requiring pain control.
Although Robinson deals with a wide range of foot issues the most common problems she encounters are abscesses laminitis and navicular syndrome. 
Abscesses can be caused by a number of factors but there often secondary to a bruise or a crack that's allowed debris or bacteria to work its way into the foot. They're extremely painful and can show up quickly despite an owner's vigilance. 
Once the abscess has been located the veterinarian or farrier pares it out and drains it before wrapping the foot with a