PLEASE LOOK HERE! Horses feet chipping really bad! :(

[secuono]

Aw, no pics?

My 17yr mare's hooves grow super fast and chip/crack easily. So I trim her feet every month or so and have the farrier come out when I can. I pay $55 per horse, so you are super lucky you have one so cheap!
My 4yr pony's hooves barely grow, so I don't mess with his feet. I find it weird that an old horse's feet grow fast, but the youngster's feet are slow. I don't get it, they eat and do all the same things. And they weigh the same because the pony is fat, hoping winter will trim him up so in the spring I can get a grazing muzzle on him.

 

[sawfish99]

If the chipping is happening 2-3 weeks after a trimming, I would suspect 2 possible problems.
1. The hoof wall is being left too long, resulting in the stress being placed on the wall instead of the sole. This is very easily corrected by more rounding of the hoof wall when trimming. I have seen this when the trimming is being done by a farrier, who doesn't normally round the edge of the hoof wall (as much compared to a barefoot only trimmer) because the shoe takes the stress of walking.
2. Separation between the white line and hoof wall is breaking through and causing the chips. This can be corrected by a more aggressive trim to eliminate the separation, however, it will likely make the horse sore for a few days after the trim.

I understand the desire to save money, however, 8 weeks is usually too long between trimmings. Hoof health can be improved through more frequent, less aggressive trimming. If you don't want to pay someone to trim, consider getting a Rider's Rasp and working each hoof a couple of times a week.

For reference, trimming in my area by farriers costs $35-65 per horse. Barefoot specialists cost $40-60. Personnally I charge $40 because I don't have the experience/client base to support charging $60 (my mentor for the past 5 years charges $60 and turns away work).

 

[dsqard]

I second the Riders Rasp that sawfish99 mentioned. They fit in your hand easily and are really nice for the edge touch ups. I also agree with the great advice given to you by goodhors. It will take about a year for good nutrition to get all the way through the hoof. I also vote that you might be waiting too long between trims. I am lucky to get six weeks between trimmings. Luckily, I was taught how to do a trim so I can do it any time they need it.