Frog - not the croaking kind!

[bellybulger]

Going to look a bit dim here but never mind! I have noticed Alice's frog on one front hoof has a deep groove in the middle which extends to the heel. Not sore, no discharge and doesn't smell (I have had my nose right in there!) I'm not sure if its always been the same and I have noticed it as the farrier is due next week so her feet are ready to be tidied up. Should I be doing anything else - I am aware she is out during the day and it is so wet (thinking thrush) but she is in at night when I pick her feet out and she's on a dry bed.

As an aside - I tend to put her out for the day (8.30-5.30) MOnday to Friday then stabled at night. She is well rugged (and a shire cross) but my neighbour looks at me like I'm being cruel!

I'm sure I never fretted about my children this much!

[AlpinePony]

It's supposed to be open, in fact you should be able to fit a butter knife in it. When the frog is 'contracted' it's shrunken and you don't get this nice 'loose crack'. Don't worry!

[bellybulger]

Thankyou! Is that the case even if its more of a hole? Just looks different to the rest but I think I'm just an over anxious mum!!!

[AlpinePony]

Ideally if she weren't shod you'd be able to wiggle your finger in like a gap between his "toes". It may well be different to the other three, perhaps just his healthiest foot - try not to fret!

Sorry, I see it's a mare but my phone won't let me back up and correct...

Being outside is the healthiest thing you can do for hooves, standing on a bed giving off ammonia the absolute worst. Your friend is mad! ;) it's also of course very good for a horse's soul to be outside. :)

[bellybulger]

Thankyou - I feel calm now! Didn't want to google as I would have her with a deadly disese within the hour!!!

I never throught I would worry like this - I just want to do my best. Its hard work but so rewarding when you get a whicker or a nuzzle! Its been 25 years since I had my own horse and I find I do worry (must be because I'm paying for it now!)

Puzzled tonight- went to get her in - no rug! Found it in the middle of field with all the fasteners done up.

Thankyou again

[CatpussRoastingByAnOpenFire]

Does the rug have leg straps or a fillet string? If not, it could have blown up from behind, over her neck and then she stepped out of it!

[bellybulger]

Mystery solved - I think - one of the leg straps had broken so it must have blown up and over - amazed she managed to step out of it without an accident!