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The nature of the ranch horse's work increases the risk of lameness.
Hoof Care and Ranch Horses
By
Dr. Ed Johnson
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It
is not a requirement that ranch horses be shod, however,
proper routine hoof care will help to ensure healthy feet
as well as aid in the prevention of lameness. And, proper
care of the hooves can certainly help reduce the incidence
of soft tissue injuries. The primary functional reasons
for shoeing any horse are to protect the feet, provide traction,
and alter the gaits. Recommended intervals for care can
vary, but average five to six weeks. The interval should
not extend beyond eight weeks.
Risky Business
Because of the environment many ranch horses live and/or
work in, they are prone to both the common foot diseases
that many horses are susceptible too, as well as some that
are less frequently seen in the pleasure horse population.
The nature of their activity puts them on terrain that may
cause soft tissue damage because of sprains, strains, tears,
lacerations, and punctures.
Frequently
ranch horses are exposed to wet or swampy environmental
conditions that can precipitate diseases caused by organisms
harbored in water or moist environments. Moisture helps
propagate such diseases as thrush, canker, and pithiosis.
Also a condition commonly known as "scratches"
or "grease heels" is exacerbated by moisture,
as is dermatitis of the lower legs. Both of these conditions
can be very aggravating to treat and can cause mild lameness.
Additionally, too much moisture in the foot can cause the
hoof to be too soft, resulting in cracks and abscesses.
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While
shoeing is not always necessary, routine proper hoof care
must be given to maximize the usefulness, productivity and
longevity of the ranch horse. Photo by Cookie Originals. |
Thrush
Thrush is a condition affecting the frog portion of the foot
whereby anaerobic organisms are trapped along the collateral
and/or central sulci of the frog. Degeneration can occur in
any part or all of the frog tissue. This disease can vary
in severity from being a nuisance disease to causing lameness.
Thrush is relatively easy to treat in the milder stages, but
can be very difficult to control in the more advanced stages.
In severe cases involving the central sulcus, treatment can
be extensive and the damage irreversible, which creates a
situation where the horse is much more prone to thrush due
to the resulting conformation of the posterior portion of
the foot.
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Canker
& Pithiosis
Two diseases that seem to be related to wet and/or filthy
environments are canker and pithiosis (also known as phycomycosis,
swamp cancer, leeches, and kunkers). Both of these diseases
are granulatomous entities that are very difficult to
control and treat. Surgery is almost always required in
the treatment process and in many instances, multiple
surgeries will be necessary. Many to most horses will
not survive pithiosis of the foot or at least not be sound
if they do survive. Pithiosis can affect nearly any part
of the body.
Canker is a chronic hypertrophy of the horn producing
tissues of the foot including the frog, sole, and, at
times, the wall. Canker can be cured, but is very time
consuming and frequently requires surgery. Canker is commonly
associated with draft horses, but can occur in any breed.
Frequently, canker is seen in cases where a horse injures
its frog and is living in moist or filthy conditions.
Disease
& Injury
Ranch horses are more apt to suffer from conditions such
as quitter, sidebone, ringbone, keratomas, caudal heel
syndrome, abscesses and injuries including bruised soles,
puncture wounds and wounds to the coronet band. Additionally,
soft tissue injuries are commonplace in ranch horses.
The reasons for these injuries include horses being used
too intensely while being physically unfit, the lack of
or improper hoof care resulting in excess strain on ligaments,
tendons, suspensories and hoof structures and working
on terrain that doesn't provide the best traction can
certainly lead to problems. Selecting shoes that help
increase traction is beneficial to the horse and may reduce
the number of days a horse must be laid up.
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Wet
or swampy environmental conditions that ranch horses are
exposed too, predispose them to diseases caused by organisms
harbored in water or moist environments.
Photos by Cookie Originals. |
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conclusion, to maximize the usefulness, productivity and longevity
of the ranch horse, proper and routine hoof care must be given.
Additionally, keeping a close eye on the horse's legs and
keeping them physically fit will aid in the prevention of
injuries and pay big dividends in the long run. |
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E.
L. Johnson, Ph.D
Associate Professor
Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences
University of Florida
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