“Hello Dr. Gray. I am writing today in regards to shoeing. There seems to be a trend towards riding barefoot. A huge article just came out in Dressage Today magazine about Shannon Peters taking a few of her top performers barefoot. I am intrigued by this concept because I have been taught that horses always need shoes for added stability. The thought of riding without shoes is equal to the sin of jumping without a helmet. Should my training level dressage gelding go barefoot?…”
My horse is 15 years old and gets sweet itch every spring. Someone told me to add Flax seed meal to her diet. I’ve started that this winter. I’ve noticed a growth in her mane and tail but was wondering…
My 12 year old mare has had 3 abscesses of the hoof in the last year. The vet noted on her most recent episode that “she has lots of separation of the white line of all 4 feet and I feel this is where the abscesses are coming from”.
“I adopted a rescue horse about 2 years ago from a local rescue organization. A buckskin gelding that is now about 9 years old. I have had him at the current boarding facility for 1 1/2 years and we have done a couple months of training board where he has progressed extremely well. I’ve noticed that this spring and through this past winter his coat seems to be coarse and staticy at times…”
“What do you recommend for horses with who are prone (even with good preventive care) to rain rot? Thanks, R.”
“Dear Dr. Gray, my 10 year old quarter horse developed hives about the size of a half dollar to a quarter ALL over his body. He has never had hives before. The other five horses on the farm do not have hives…”
“My vet told me that a “bounding pulse” indicates a problem. I am having a hard time determining what constitutes “bounding”. Sometimes I am able to easily feel the pulse though it does not seem hard or fast. When I have felt the pulse, my horse does not seem to be in pain and is moving freely and easily. Other times I am not able to find the pulse and he seems a bit ouchy…Am I over thinking this or should I be concerned that I am finding such variance in the pulse?”
Hello! I have 2 young donkeys, a Jack and Jenny. They both have hoof problems and my farrier doesn’t know what to do. Their hooves are very soft, and they just seem to be flaking off from the outside from the bottom up about 1″. I am pretty worried. Are there some supplements that would help them with this problem? There is not a lot of info out there on Donkeys and how to feed them correctly. Any help would be appreciated. -Thanks, SK, Texas
My horse is 22 years old and is showing signs of very dry skin everywhere. What product is the best to use for this condition? Thank you! CM, Pennsylvania
Some of my horses have cracks in their hooves. I feed alfalfa and grass hay twice a day and they also receive ADM Patriot 12% once daily. My horses are off duty all winter meaning I do not ride at all in the winter. What are they lacking nutritionally assuming this is a nutrition issue?
