Hoof Question

Hi,
I hope you can help with this.  Any insight would be greatly appreciated.  My friend has an 8 yr old TB gelding.  He previously has been sound until now.  Back in March 2006 she had his feet trimmed, barefoot not shod.  A friend had taken the horse as his mount for a clinic in April 2006, about 2 1/2 - 3 wks later.  While at the clinic, we don't know why he had him trimmed again.  (He said he was too long on his toes- then he chipped a hoof) we may never know why he had the clinic farrier trim again, or why that farrier would trim a horse like that?  But the horse was trimmed extremely short in the toe.  It has been 10 months and no new growth in the toe.  His hooves are extremely hard and squaring out.  The toe is so hard, you can not effect it with hoof nippers.  Her current farrier says it was cut to short into the lamini?  I hope I am using the correct word.  The horse is currently on Biotin supplements.  He is always gimpy on his front end. 
She had this horse since he was 18 months old, Putting him down is the last thing she wants.  But over the last month or so he seems to be in more pain.  Have you ever heard of this problem?  Is their any type of correction. 

Her farrier is trimming him to take weight off the toe so it will grow, but nothing seems to be working.  He is barefoot. 

Any ideas would be great.  My friend is desperate, so we are all looking for answers for her.  If you need to speak to her directly for more info, let me know and I will have her contact you.  I'm just trying to find something for her, without getting her hopes up if there is nothing to help the horse.

Thanks,
M

Hi M,

This doesn't sound like that severe of a problem.  It could be that the farrier just doesn't know how to proceed with a case like this.  Finding someone more knowledgeable will be important, or researching more about the hoof on the computer may also allow you to get the horse back in health.  Ask around and/or search on the computer for natural hoof care trimmers that might be in your area.

I would need pictures to consult with you very effectively on this case.  If you'd like to do something like this, we can talk about arrangements.

Stay positive.  The horse can most often heal from these problems,

Dr. Tom T.