barefoot and whiteline problem

Question



Subject   barefoot and whiteline problem: www.thinklikeahorse.org Rick Gore Horsemanship
Question   We bought a quarter/ASH palomino, Dakota, 6 months ago. He's always had very flat soles (although healthy frog and big, wide heels) and used to trip a lot and go toe first.  My dad was a farrier in south Africa and because I've often lived in remote areas,I have mostly 'done' my horses feet myself and since looking into 'barefoot' hoofcare, I'm keen to learn more.  I have not had lameness problems until now with Dakota.  However, although Dakota now goes heel first and no longer trips, he still has flat f feet, the soles are still softer than most - they're white- (although on his vet check the vet said his feet were fine)and he has a thick,soft white line of about 2 - 3mm where the laminae are clearly visible.  I do not use the hoof knife much at all.  He lives in a grassy pasture with a dam and because we've experienced much rain in the past 6 months, it's quite wet. He has recently had 2 abscesses in the same spot and the vet has cut a hole into the white line in the toe to drain it.  He does get foot sore fairly easily. I file his feet every 2-3 weeks and have recently started putting Stockholm tar onto his hooves to maybe help prevent infection and maybe make the sole harder?? Both his hinds had considerable flare which are now slightly improved but as I have only recently read about the barefoot method, I now realise I should be doing more to correct the flare.  I have just ordered the barefoot shoeing DVD because I'm a bit nervous about filing too aggressively before being sure about how to do it. I have always filed across the hoof, heel to toe and across the width, ensuring that is is all level - in this way, because the sole is so flat, the heels/corn of heel is usually filed about 1/2 mm or so above the frog - the bars are quite prominent so are level with the sole after I file.  A fraction of the toe is usually filed too to ensure the foot it level.   
My question is:  1. Does my filing technique sound like the problem?  AND
               2. Do you think the wide, soft white line with the laminae visible, is a problem and how would I improve this?  AND
               3. Why would his hooves be so flat and soft and how can this be overcome?  

I'd be very grateful for your advice as this has been milling around in my head for months!  Thankyou for your time.  

Answer
Hello Cordelia,
first of all, my apologies for the late reply. I have had serious computer/E-mail problems and messages from this site did not reach me.
Is there any way you can send me photos of his feet and his conformation overall, including pics of the bottom of his feet? I have learned over the years that what is called "flat feet" can vary quite a bit. Also, please keep in mind that heavy horses, such as draft crosses, usually have, and NEED flatter feet and that foot shape is also very much a result of the type of soil horses are usually kept on...so be careful when using a guide for trimming since these usually do not address what is "normal" for a given horse and environment and how to get the hoof to a state that is physiologically correct and environmentally maintainable for a given horse. Just imagine the wild horse studies that advocate that a normal healthy hoof is short, well rounded and really hard and try to get the hoof of a horse who needs wide, supportive hooves with a lot of mass, into this shape...not a good thing!!!
I wonder, though, why he is suddenly foot sore and getting abscesses.It may well be that the way you are currently approaching his trim may not be perfect for what he needs but without pics this is really hard to assess.
I would love to discuss his needs and trimming approaches with you further, so if you could send pics to my private E-mail would be great: jnksize@comcast.net.


Looking forward to hearing from you!
Christine