How To Prevent Split Hooves

Horse hooves are much like human fingernails: they grow from the cuticle and harden into hooves. If there is a disruption in the cuticle so that tissue can not grow, the nail/hoof will not be produced. If the crack in a hoof is a temporary problem, it should grow out with adequate shoeing. However, if it appears to be permanent/repetitive you need to address the underlying cause. It is possible that a horse with a permanently split hoof has a damaged cuticle - in which case no hoof will ever grow in that area, but it is more likely to be a temporary effect.

Some schools of thought think that wet conditions make a horse more prone to split hooves; others think that dry conditions will make the hoof crack; and others still think that frequent changes from wet to dry will promote hoof cracking. I do know that Appaloosa's are known more than most other breeds for dry hooves - so perhaps this suggests that dry conditions are to blame.

If you are sure that your horse has no underlying health complaints and that his diet is sufficient, the the two most important ways of treating split hooves are shoeing and supplementation - in which case you are doing everything right. It is also sometimes recommended to have the shoes reset once a month. In terms of supplementation, biotin is a widely used supplement for promoting good hoof growth - which is why Horseshoer's Secret will be working well for you.

What Causes the "Slobbers" In Horses?

Excessive salivation in an otherwise healthy horse is actually nothing to worry about and is, in most cases, a response to chemical irritation. Some medications will have this effect and in Spring and Summer many horse owners will be familiar with the symptoms of "slobbers" (also called "Slaframine poisoning"). In most cases, this salivation is caused by a fungus called Rhizoctonia leguminicola which produces the mycotoxin slaframine. This fungus most commonly affects clover and you will notice a change from green leaves to gray or even black. The bitter taste of these leaves is what irritates horses' mouths.

If you are sure that your pasture has no infected clover, it is possible that this case of the "slobbers" is being caused by a mechanical irritation, such as plants with tiny barbs - for example little barley, foxtail millet and hedge mustard. Only if your horse suffers from other symptoms such as lack of appetite or lethargy should excessive salivation be cause for concern.

When using side reins do you prefer donuts or not. I know donuts can bounce when the horse trots or canters and can pull on the lunging cavesson/bit? Opinions please.

Plain side reins with an elastic insert, I hate the do-nut things, they hang like a dead weight and I think they are a distraction to the horse.


.I use them with a bit and bridle but then put the lunge cavesson over the top, I attach the line to the cavesson only.
I don't like lunging from a bit - I think it pulls too much on the mouth in a totally artificial way. The side reins get to do their job without any other interference and the horse learns to bend in a more natural way without any pain in the mouth.