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HorseAdvice.com » Horse Care » Hoof Care, Hoof Trimming, Shoeing Horses » Hoof Care Topics Not Covered Above » Foot Interference Problems » |
Discussion on Horse Started Forging | |
Author | Message |
Member: Dyduroc |
Posted on Monday, May 31, 2004 - 8:09 pm: Help! I'm perplexed.Have had my Clydes mare for a year and have never had a problem with interference. This past week end she started forging while trotting in the ring. Her shoes are four weeks old and she hasn't exhibited any problems so far. The only change in tack has been going from an eggbutt snaffle to a medium port Uxeter. She's so much softer, collected and responsive with the new bit that for the first time in a year I can ride with loose reins. Does anyone have any ideas about what's going on? Could just a bit change cause her to overreach? Suggestions? dyd |
Member: Hwood |
Posted on Monday, May 31, 2004 - 11:21 pm: Hi, Dyd,You know that the trim time for shod horses is always stated as 4-6 weeks . . . Could it be that her feet are growing faster on the spring grass? If your mare is collecting better, she is stepping under better than before, so that may have started her forging . . . Your shoer will be able to help with that by trimming back the toes or squaring off the hinds . . . sometimes a heel on the hinds will help, too. Laziness does not sound like it is a consideration, but sometimes, when horses get lazy about picking up their fronts, they can forge . . . and working over poles can help encourage them to lift better in the front. |
Member: Christos |
Posted on Tuesday, Jun 1, 2004 - 4:34 pm: Yes, a new bit that dramatically changes her way of going, especially adding collection, can, of course, cause her to overreach.Just do not be over enthusiastic and ask for more collection than she will naturally offer until she works her new balance out. Adding front leg protection may be a good idea, but keep in mind that she's trying to work something new out and she may get even more confused or clumsy with the funny feeling of boots. As Holly says, your farrier may have a couple of suggestions. |
Member: Contilli |
Posted on Friday, Jun 4, 2004 - 10:52 am: Not sure if you have just front shoes??? If so, this can cause the front feet to move slightly slower than the hind, thus forging occurs. I had my colt at Hilltop Farm in training for 90 days. They sent him home with four shoes. I decided to pull the rear as I felt it was unnecessary to keep them on. He immediately started to forge. My shoer, a Certified Journey Shoer with AFA, told me it would happen. I didn’t believe him as I had horses in the past with just fronts. Well, sure enough he was right. He pulled the fronts off and the forging stopped.Hope this helps. Denise |
Member: Dyduroc |
Posted on Friday, Jun 4, 2004 - 11:35 am: Holly, Christos and Denise, Thanks for your replies.Farrier is coming on Tuesday. We'll have to talk about this latest change. I'll let you know what he does to help with the problem. Surprise is shod all around (Clydesdale--soft feet). Christos, I've added soft 'bell' boots on her front feet to prevent any injuries. Thanks for the suggestion. Holly, Surprise has been on Farrier's Formula for the past year because her feet were an unholy mess when I got her. I hadn't thought about the 'green grass' factor and will bring this up with the farrier as well. Don't feel comfortable about eliminating the supplement as we're still dealing with 'winter damage' on her back feet (I foolishly had her back shoes pulled off for the winter and her hooves are badly chipped). I've been talking with other 'horse' people about the forging and someone suggested laying down poles in the ring for her to walk over (as an encouragement to to lift her feet higher). The idea sounds good but I was wondering if anyone had advice/input. I'm still scratching my head over this one because Surprise has the lively action Clydes are known for (you really CAN see inside of every shoe if you're standing behind her). Is it possible she's too collected with the new bit? dyd |
Member: Contilli |
Posted on Friday, Jun 4, 2004 - 12:41 pm: One other suggestion - Rolling her toes in the front to "quicken her break-over. Is she rolled? This is very common in my dressage world and actually is much better on their joints. This will allow for an easier break-over especially for those large feet.Good luck, Denise www.BryantFarm.com |
Member: Dyduroc |
Posted on Monday, Jun 7, 2004 - 8:42 pm: Just a quick update.Finally found a dressage instructor/trainer who has YEARS of experience with Clydesdales under saddle. The changes we started today include altering my seat, shortening the stirrups, shortening the reins, changing my hand position, getting Surprise's neck/head carriage up all of which have resulted in her getting her shoulders up thereby enabling her to really lift those big front feet. No forging; no tripping; no exhausted horse at the end of an hour and a half working in the ring. Her walk is livelier and she just seems so happy being able to strut her stuff (what a little peacock)! And all this with feet that are being re-shod tomorrow and are WAY too long and with back shoes that are loose (we're changing from 6 weeks to 4 for visits from the farrier). Bottom line is that we were trying to get her into a frame that doesn't work for a Clydesdale. I have an awful lot to learn about these magnificent (and forgiving) horses! Thank you to everyone who tried to help me sort this one out! It's heartening to know there are people out there who are so willing to reach out and share experience/knowledge. You are all a special and valued group of friends. dyd |