Any TB's with good feet?

[Mercury]

Mainly a curiousity question... I have 2 TB's and one part TB. The 2 TB's have horrid feet. They crack and crumble extremely easy. They have to have shoes if getting worked outside on a regular basis. My part TB is better, but he will still get some chipping going on in the summer time.

I don't like to stereotype breeds, but does is it an accepted characteristic in TB's to have bad feet? My farrier says he can tell a TB by glancing at their feet.

[HeartofSteel]

I think most people say yes but I have known of few with good feet. I think alot of it depends on the farrier though

[Horserider]

No it isn't really an accepted characteristic as it is more of an unpleasant problem that was bred into horses over the years as the desire for faster horses trumped the need for sound horses.

If Thoroughbreds had as bad feet as everyone says than we wouldn't be able to use them as jumpers and eventers. While warmbloods are very popular in those events there are still some Thoroughbreds out there competing at the high levels.

[Pinky]

Heidi had great hooves, but overreached.

You could try putting the TB's on Biotin (what Heid had) or Farriers Formula (which contains Biotin, but is wayyy more expensive).

[westmanfarrier]

Ask your farrier what he REALLY thinks of the jumpers feet. Most of my jumpers, eventers, and such have some of the worst hoof wall I deal with.

As for supplements, Biotin is an important vitamin, but just one important vitamin. Essential amino acids, especially dl-Methionine are more important. Do some research on hoof nutrition guidelines. You can message me for some suggestions, as I don't like to advertise openly.

[grandmadeb]

Al is a TB and his feet are pretty good- knock on wood. He has had one abcess since we have had him and it was from a farrier's nail too close to the heel. The farrier comes every 6-7 weeks and really takes his time to get everything right.

[FoxFireEMT]

I wouldn't say my TB's hooves are the worse but they def. could be better. I have discussed a detailed plan with my farrier in improving her feet. So FAR so gooooooddddd! :)

[vicklynn]

When I first got City, he had some thin walls. He lost a shoe right after bringing him home. It was a few days before my farrier could get here, and Citys hooves chipped, poor guy. The walls have sence gotten thicker, but I do not and will not take the chance with him, not having shoes. He carries alot of his TB back ground, and if his feet were to crack, or he go lame, cause of me, Id never forgive myself. He does not have the walls Myst has, but Im happy with what they are today.

I put City on BOSS, started seeing a difference in a few months, hooves were harder, then after a yr, he really showed a difference, even in the wall.
Any suppliment will not give you instant results. It takes time for the hoof to grow.

[John Boy]

The barn I worked at and boarded I saw less good feet compared to more.
Problem so typical is that TB's are short in heel , IMO.
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My current TB is bare foot , and has IMO great feet. Hard , not brittle and a good hoof. I am fortunate to have a very seasoned farrier that has worked on TB's for over 35 years , and he has shown me some simple tricks.

[SedonaThunder]

MY TB's hooves were horrid when we got him but they were coming along with good barefoot care. I have a friend with a barefoot TB that never needs shoes and it does fox hunts! I think the secret is proper care and USE! They say that movement is the best thing for hooves and that horse gets ridden five to six days a week for miles.

[mandisue]

I had a Tb mare that raced til a year before I got her ( not sure if it matters or not.) and she had some hard feet. They grew a little funky, and she had one abcess but other than that, no crumblys or anything.

[jeezitsjacki]

my tbs hoofs are not that amazing.. his shoe fell off and within a week his hoofs were chipping.. he is on hoof supplements and has pads on the front.. but he will never be able to go without shoes
heres a picture of his hoof maybe 4 days after his shoe fell off

[Mercury]

Ask your farrier what he REALLY thinks of the jumpers feet. Most of my jumpers, eventers, and such have some of the worst hoof wall I deal with.


I asked my farrier about this and his response was pretty much its amazing what shoes will hold in one piece ::huh: