hoof

[randy]

I was just wondering what is the number one problems that minis seem to have. Also what are the signs? I am just an overprotective mini owner!lol

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[MiLo Minis]

As a farrier what I see the most is club feet. Some are born with them but a lot of them have been trimmed and made that way.

 

[Black Magic]

Our biggest problem has been keeping a good farrier. We have had one now for a year plus, but before that, i went though a slew of farriers.... some with wierd ideas.... on what hoofs should look like.

God Bless,

Lynn W

P.S. Be kind to your farrier.... (we always offer ours something to drink and eat... and something to take home to his wife)... I think we're gonna keep our newest farrier for life! lol

 

[Margaret]

Over the years of trimming minis I have found that because they have been bred down to obtain the height that they are at,- their weight is not allways substantial enough to open up the back of the hoof or the heel.. So special attention should be paid to keep that area trimmed down along with the rest of the hoof to assure that the hoof grows and develops normally- with the proper spread at the heel to support the weight of the mini. Once the mini achieves its adult weight, it is usually enough to encourage the spread, and trims more readily balanced. Just my observations. Mary

 

[Marsha Cassada]

Yes, club foot is what I watch for in mine. One of mine is particularly prone and I work hard to keep his heels short. I try to rasp him at least once a week. Easier to prevent a problem than to correct one! If his hooves look as though he is standing on a coffee can, that is not good.

Marsha

 

[Aggravation Acres]

We have 15 mini's. All have very nice feet but one. It seams that his heal does not grow at all and it looks like he grows ski's. My farrier does not know what to do about it. (He does big horses and very few mini's, infact he show me how to do mine and I am doing most of them on my own and he checks them out when he is over to do my big horse) Except to keep trimming up the toe part and leave the heal alone. (Is this the right thing to do or not?)

I tried to get a lady that does mini's to come for one of my babies and was going to have her look at him also but could never get to call me back. I guess one or 2 horses was not worth her drive over to Pa.

Deb