Faster Horses and Cracked Feet

[cedardell]

I'd just like to say that within the past ten years we have shifted our calving time to late March, April, and May. Before that time we had a lot of cows with cracked toes. I laid it to grazing corn stalks. However, now that you brought it up we have almost none of that now. I'm a believer.

[Faster horses]

We just can't help but think temperature at calving time MUST have some bearing on the reason for cracked feet. I'm not saying it is the sole (no pun intended) cause, but perhaps in conjunction with high protein in the spring; high protein hay and/or supplements; or something on this order.

Thanks very much for your input. I appreciate your post.

Did you change anything else? The way the heifers were fed during the winter, or anything else you can think of?

[Silver]

I'm still a little skeptical FH, we calve in as cold of conditions as anyone anywhere, and don't have cracked feet to speak of at all. In fact, I can't say as we have any cracked feet. And yet there is cracked feet in Texas, no? I think there is more to it. Perhaps cold could possibly predispose an animal to cracked feet if conditions in later life are right for it? I'll continue to ponder it.