[vtshale]

What are some mechanical causes for creating a dished hoof?

[ChocoMare]

You'll have to define "dish" as you see it.

If it is toe flare, there'd be a dish / slope from the coronary band to the toe.

If it is flare at the quarters, there's (again) a dish / slope from the coronary band out to the quarters.

If it's dish in the sole, meaning "Concavity" that's another topic again.

[vtshale]

It's a dish midway down the hoof such that the edge of the hoof seems flared around the shoe, so maybe that's toe flare? I'm a little worried that my farrier puts on a shoe that is too small, and am wondering if that is contributing to the dishing/flaring that I'm seeing more and more of. The dishing seems to be getting worse over time.

[ChocoMare]

Yup, that's flare. If left unchecked, meaning properly trimmed, it will only get worse. How long are you going between trim/shoe appointments?

Would love to see pics.

[vtshale]

I'm going 6 weeks between farrier appts, but really, really feel that my mare should only be going 5 weeks. The flaring gets worse as the time goes on in between farrier visits. I might be able to upload pics.

[SuckerForHorses]

Are you in Vermont? I'm assuming from your screenname. If you PM me an approximate area, I can refer an excellent farrier that I just started using!

[Patty Stiller]

dish in the foot is caused by
1)club foot AND farrier trimmer mismanagement'
2) founder (even sometimes with good farrier trimmer management) OR
3) just piss poor trimming or shoeing.

[Tom Bloomer]

Patty, I going for #3 because you shouldn't need to manage your farrier/trimmer.

[UrbanHennery]

Patty, I going for #3 because you shouldn't need to manage your farrier/trimmer.

But Tom, not every farrier is as great as you and Patty. Trust me, I've had to manage my share (but not my current fabulous one).

[Rick Burten]

dish in the foot is caused by
1)club foot AND farrier trimmer mismanagement'
2) founder (even sometimes with good farrier trimmer management) OR
3) just piss poor trimming or shoeing.

It is important to remember that the dish is a symptom/result. And, I disagree, albeit mildly with #1. Why? because it ignores RFL, eg: It Depends.