A neighboring ranch had a calf with toe nails so long that they curled up to its belly. It rubbed itself raw and died of infection. The owner had died of old age and the family wouldn't let anyone near.
There is no excuse to allow an animal to suffer like that. When I was a young man, I had dogs, but couldn't afford to take them to a vet. So if they needed to be put down, I had to do it myself. I couldn't do it now, since I have gotten too soft hearted in my old age, after I had kids, and grandkids, I guess. But if I couldn't afford to keep animals, and pay to have a vet care properly for them, for all of their needs, I wouldn't have any. I am not the type who can pay several thousand for an operation on my dog, but I do get yearly care and shots, etc.
Does that kind of hoof growth take place in wild horse populations? If so, how do they survive? I'm asking honest and for true, as I know nothing about horses.
Don't know anything myself, but I suspect that domestic horses are FAR less active than wild ones, and the constant running that wild horses do will tend to keep the hooves worn down somewhat naturally. (Kind of like the way a beaver's teeth never stop growing, but chewing on trees keeps them at a proper length.) As I say, just guessing...
Whomever allowed that poor horse to go untrimmed that long should be shot. If the critter can't wear down the hoof nail running on hard/sand covered ground (IE open desert and scrubland), you don't let it go that long, it is inhumane. Grrr.
Having a good farrier is priceless!
ReplyDeleteDang. Them Vietnamese who are into every business that trims toenails have opened up a new market.
ReplyDeleteA neighboring ranch had a calf with toe nails so long that they curled up to its belly. It rubbed itself raw and died of infection. The owner had died of old age and the family wouldn't let anyone near.
ReplyDeleteGood farrier's are few and far between these days.
ReplyDeleteAs someone that owns three horses and has the farrier out on a scheduled basis, that breaks my heart. Sad to see the neglect.
ReplyDeleteThere is no excuse to allow an animal to suffer like that. When I was a young man, I had dogs, but couldn't afford to take them to a vet. So if they needed to be put down, I had to do it myself.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't do it now, since I have gotten too soft hearted in my old age, after I had kids, and grandkids, I guess. But if I couldn't afford to keep animals, and pay to have a vet care properly for them, for all of their needs, I wouldn't have any. I am not the type who can pay several thousand for an operation on my dog, but I do get yearly care and shots, etc.
pigpen51
Yeah I remember those days too. Back then a man put his animals down when it was time. Nope, I could not do that today.
DeleteDoes that kind of hoof growth take place in wild horse populations? If so, how do they survive? I'm asking honest and for true, as I know nothing about horses.
ReplyDeleteDon't know anything myself, but I suspect that domestic horses are FAR less active than wild ones, and the constant running that wild horses do will tend to keep the hooves worn down somewhat naturally. (Kind of like the way a beaver's teeth never stop growing, but chewing on trees keeps them at a proper length.) As I say, just guessing...
DeleteThat was a sharp blade!
ReplyDeleteWhomever allowed that poor horse to go untrimmed that long should be shot. If the critter can't wear down the hoof nail running on hard/sand covered ground (IE open desert and scrubland), you don't let it go that long, it is inhumane. Grrr.
ReplyDeleteAnyone that lets a horses hoofs get that bad should be hung by their balls.
ReplyDelete