Why is my horses frog so soft?

Why is my horses frog so soft?

A horses’s weak or soft hooves can be a side effect of unlucky genetics or extended exposure to wet conditions. A horse with a soft sole or frog may experience lameness issues due to the frog or sole becoming bruised and tender as the horse walks through rough terrain or gets a rock stuck in its foot.

Should a horse’s frog be soft?

A frog that is too big will tend to have a swollen appearance, almost as if it is about to burst open. The back part of the frog becomes bulbous and is usually soft, sometimes with cracks around the edges. Generally, with such a frog you find under run heels and flared wall in the quarters.

Why is my horses frog sore?

Frog infections are more common than most horse owners realize. Infection in the frog causes lameness and soreness issues that can be overlooked or mis-diagnosed when a horse is shod. Frog tissue separation traps mud and manure, causing a perfect environment for bacteria and fungus to thrive.

How do you soften a horse frog?

If a frog has a dense hard horn with a deep, tight, central sulcus, the easiest way to open the sulcus is to soak the frog or use a softener so that the abutting edges can be trimmed with a knife or nippers. Soaking dry hooves in water also works well, but the commercial moisturizers seem to soften the wall faster.

What does thrush look like on a horse’s hoof?

How do I know if my horse has thrush? Thrush is a bacterial and fungal infection of the frog. You can spot it by its foul smell and black tar-like discharge, which often ends up on the end of your hoof pick.

What does a good barefoot hoof look like?

Healthy hooves will have STRONG HEELS and bars and supportive heel buttresses. 6. Healthy hooves will have rubbery or callused thick frogs that serve well for hoof concussion and energy dissipation. They will extend probably 60% of the hoof length and be free of any bacterial Thrush or fungus.