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  Discussion on Applying iodine to tender soles
Author Message
Member:
skye

Posted on Saturday, Aug 9, 2008 - 11:27 am:

My 24-year-old Appendix Quarterhorse has many thoroughbred qualities, among them thin, delicate soles.

She is often sore after trimming and even "ouchy" weeks later.

I have been applying iodine to her soles, and they now feel quite tough.
However, she is still more sensitive than I'd like.
Should I be applying the iodine to the frog as well?
I might follow someone's recommendation of Jim Ricken's Foot Formula #1 , too.
Any advice would be very welcome!
Member:
scooter

Posted on Saturday, Aug 9, 2008 - 1:53 pm:

Hi Ellie, I have a thinned soled TB x beast also. I don't think anything can fight off the genetic disposition to them. I don't think you are suppose to put it on the frog...very often anyway.

I have had good luck with dura sole, but all that stuff does.. iodine, formalin, ect. is pretty much dry the sole to make it harder. I don't think that is quite enough for the thin soled, though I think it helps quite a bit.

Really your only options are boots or shoes if you want her completely comfortable. If I rode my horse on any hard ground at all I would have to have them put on. He did real well with shoes and equipak last summer and his sole actually thickened some after using it, and he was able to handle the hard ground better. I know that sounds counter productive, but giving his sole time to rest and the stimulation of the equipak helped.

I still worry about pedal osteitis developing from his thin soles and would not chance riding him on hard ground often without some kind of protection. Hope that helps
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Aug 10, 2008 - 10:23 am:

Hello Ellie,
If you feel that despite a years worth of good trimming, good nutrition, supplementation and treatment as described in the article you still have a thin soled TB that is not able to reach your goals I too agree with Diane, it is time to consider boots or shoes. Frogs are treated with sole tougheners just to the point that they are tough but still pliable.
DrO
Member:
skye

Posted on Sunday, Aug 10, 2008 - 10:58 am:

Thanks to both of you. I shall investigate both options with the farrier.
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