White Line Diesase

Question
My farrier said my horses are in early stage of white line disease she told me to soak their hooves for ten minutes in apple cider vinegar should I be doing more and what type of medicine should I be puttting on them.

Answer
Hi Brent! :)  ACV is a great soak for hooves. But that, alone, is not going to prevent white line disease nor "cure it". What is absolutely needed is a solid, balanced trim. You didn't say whether or not your horse is shod but it really doesn't matter. The TRIM is what is going to make or break the deal. There is no one specific trim, either, that is a "correct" one except the trim that fits your individual horse and the specific hoof on that horse. Gotta "trim the hoof in hand" ... Go here to see what a balanced trim means:

http://www.barefoottrim.com and click on "Educational" then look for the article on "The Balanced Equine Hoof". Lots of photos and clear explanations.

In addition to the trimming and maybe even more importantly is seeing that this horse gets plenty of movement. Horses are designed to move upwards of 20+ miles a day in seek of food, water, etc. One herd will have a territory of approx. 200 acres on which they constantly move. Our domestic horses, especially the stabled ones, get nowhere near the movement for which they are created. Movement will help the hooves stay functioning and getting good stimulation and growth/wear.

Another factor to consider when facing WLD is the diet of the horse. Sugars FEED fungus and some bacteria. What goes in, grows out - through the hooves. I strongly recommend a sugar-free/low sugar/low carb diet that is based on free choice forage/hay. Most horses don't even need the addition of grain to their diet if they have enough hay and other forages. A good, organic vitamin/mineral supplement to round off will help to ensure the nutrients the horse is getting are sufficient.

Hope that helps some. Look to the trimming of the hooves; get your horse walking, daily, on a tarred road for at least 10 mins and examine your diet to see that there is minimal sugar and carbs in it.

:) -- Gwen