Sore Feet

[Doc-t]

It is hard to think that the time needed to replace the hoof is long. Let’s look at some factors.

The hoof is 100% protein. Some will insist that minerals make up the hoof, but to be correct, minerals are required to construct the hoof. Once made, it is all protein. It is also important to know that 24% of the hoof is one amino acid (AA) – methionine. Well, not really, but methionine must be eaten and then converted into cysteine. This AA creates disulfide bonds that give the hoof its strength. Two thoughts: 1) methionine is one of the three limiting AAs, and 2) 76% of the hoof are other AAs.

If a horse is insulin resistant (IR) or pre-IR, much of the protein consumed will be converted into glucose and never reach the hoof. This doesn’t make sense until you understand how metabolism works; however, this is at the root of all the protein loss issues in humans and horses. Soaking the hay lowers his glucose intake and is needed to see results in the program. Removing pasture intake, especially in the spring growing season, will also reduce glucose intake.

It has been less than two weeks since you started to soak the hay. While he has improved overall health, the hooves are special due to the high requirement of an AA limited in the environment (including soybean meal (SBM)). Reducing glucose intake will help to get the needed AAs to the hoof.

I am glad you have included your farrier in this approach. If the diet changes work, there should be a noticeable area of new hoof growth from the coronary band down – about 2 inches in 3 to 4 months. See some images here on this website.

[Wren]

Wren Update

He is walking better and no longer needs to wear his boots. His vet came two weeks ago for vaccinations/Coggins. She was very happy about the diet. This was the first time in 4 years he didn’t have a reaction to his vaccinations. (He had everything except rabies. He’ll get that later.)

He was trimmed this week, and for the first time in months, he was able to stand on 3 legs comfortably. I’m fortunate to have a trimmer who is interested in helping Wren and learning at the same time.

Wren wants out of his little paddock attached to a stall. He knocked down a top board and jumped out a few nights ago. While I wasn’t happy to see he spent the night out in the pasture, it was nice to see him being his ornery self again, and he was fine after his adventure.

I believe all these things are very good signs. I know it’s just the beginning and I’ll need to be very diligent with his diet, but it’s also very encouraging. Thanks so much! Wren’s person, Linda

[Doc-t]

Thanks for this update, Linda!

Setting the stage is fundamental in recovery. This means having all the right parts in their place: an interested caregiver (you), reduced sugar intake, and increased high-quality protein intake. But then, the play needs to start, develop, and reach its ending. This, of course, takes time.

The start is sometimes slow (nothing is happening!). Some acts put you on the edge of your seat (breaking out of the paddock into the grass field all night!). The final act comes where all ends well. How long this play takes is dependent on how thick the plot is (how bad the sore feet are, how long the hooves have been affected, the horse’s age, etc.). Patience is often required as the sub-plots need to develop and play out (insulin becomes regulated, needed amino acids are installed, and enough repair occurs).

Your play is a success, and the audience is happy! While this little ditty of mine seems quaint, I hope it and your progress reports help others understand that healing has many parts and requires time. Journaling helps, like watching a “who-done-it” mystery noting all the suspects and whether they could have “done it” until the case is resolved.

Thanks again! Doc T

[Wren]

Thank you!

Yes, I’m journaling. Actually, I have notes from the past 4-5 years…the length of time I’ve been trying to help Wren. My recent entries share what is actually helping him heal (THA) while the older entries are tales of woe…everything tried without success. (Some probably made his health worse.) It’s a wealth of information. I’m an author. I write mostly fiction with horses, and envision a story giving readers something to ponder. But…the play is still in progress. I’ll wait until the celebratory curtain call 🙂

Thanks again, for everything you share. Wren’s person, Linda.

[msegovia1@yahoo.com]

“is 100% protein. Some will insist that minerals make up the hoof, but to be correct, minerals are required to construct the hoof. Once made, it is all protein. It is also important to know that 24% of the hoof is one amino acid (AA) – methionine. Well, not really, but methionine must be eaten and then converted into cysteine. This AA creates disulfide bonds that give the hoof its strength. Two thoughts: 1) methionine is one of the three limiting AAs, and 2) 76% of the hoof are other AAs.”

As I read the above, I’m still not understanding what I should be doing to help my horse w/his hooves? He has cracks & chips always on them. He’s on a SBM diet pasture 24/7 & 2 flakes of alfalfa hay daily. Has farrier care every 5 weeks.

[Doc-t]

Good question, Mayra – There are a lot of parts to getting good hooves in horses with less-than-perfect quality.

Cracks and chips may be part of this horse’s makeup, especially if there are no other hoof issues along with this, such as crushed heels (tubules), splayed walls, soft soles, sore feet, or laminitis. My horse at home had a significant split just to the side of the toe while; otherwise, she has excellent hooves. My wife told me not to worry (see, you aren’t the only one!). The farrier was a bit late (5 1/2 weeks), plus the spring grass is growing with the recent rain, and the hooves are growing quickly – faster than usual. For this horse, it is normal to have a crack or two (you could see this from 10 feet away, but it caused no pain), and she needs a trim every four weeks, not five in the spring.

Superficial cracks and splits on the outermost layer of the hoof are also common, and I don’t feel they are a problem. It may take a year or two to get these cleared up, if ever. Other factors may be working here, such as moisture, season, type of dirt, pasture plants, or bedding (frequent wet-dry cycles). I don’t have all the answers on this, but as far as the strength of the hoof and any painful disease process, these thin cracks on the hoof wall don’t seem to bother horses.

For clarity to others, I want to add this. Reducing the amount of sugar intake (removing grain, reducing hay when adequate pasture is available, soaking hay to remove excess sugar), removing all inflammatory ingredients (feed by-products, most supplements, feed additives, treats, etc.) and increasing the amount of high-quality protein intake (SBM) are essential to hoof recovery and maintenance. On top of these is allowing time for healing to occur (1 to 2 years for most).

I hope this covers what you were asking. If not, please reply, or join me on my “Ask Me Anything” Zoom meeting every other Thursday at 8 pm Eastern time to discuss this. Also, any pictures you have can help (here or sent to me in an email). Thanks, Doc T