What is the general soundness of a Gypsy horses hooves?
MS: In general, the Gypsy horse’s hooves follow the characteristics of their draft horse origins – they should have high quality, large round feet that are strong and hard. The frogs should be well developed and the hoof should have wide heels. EJ: Do horses with feather tend to have any issues with their hooves that are related to the feathering? MS: In my opinion, hoof issues are more likely to be related to the environmental conditions in which the horse is kept or hoof maintenance issues rather than the fact that the horse has feathering. However, with the feathers on a Gypsy horse covering the entire hoof, an issue may not be noticed until it has progressed into a problem with the hooves. A more common problem that can surface is pastern dermatitis or scratches, which is a skin problem rather than a hoof issue. EJ: What should a Gypsy horse owner know about their horse’s hooves? MS: A Gypsy horse owner will want to inspect their horse’s hooves regularly and have a regular schedule
