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Monday, April 2, 2012

Quick Tip #9 Hoof Cracks




There is nearly no chance that hoof cracks that your horse has can be cured with supplements. Hoof cracks are most often caused by having too much weight on too little hoof.

Imagine the pressure that it would put on your feet if your weight was supported by something only as wide as an ice skate. Now imagine how many more pounds per square inch of pressures results when a 900 pound horse runs with his weight being supported by the hoof wall instead of the entire sole and frog of the hoof.

The best way to get weight off of that outer wall is to roll the outer wall so that it does not make contact with the ground when the horse stands still. This if often referred to as a "mustang roll."

There are several great writers on natural hoof care out there. I find Pete Ramey's work among the best. For the cost of one worthless jar of hoof supplement you can buy Ramey's book and learn how your horse's hoof should be trimmed.

This is Tradewind, 2011 Horse of the America's National Pleasure Trail Horse of the Year. He was captured in Corolla because he was utterly crippled with founder. Ramey style trimming not only made him sound but allowed him to carry me over 200 hours in the woods in less than a year.

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