We had a natural hoof care practitioner farrier out to trim our 5-month-old and yearling Clydesdales. On both horses, the bars had grown so long that they were rolled under and very hard to trim. Both also had wide white bands that caused some alarm. On the 5-month-old, there was a ring of blood that had not reached the surface around each hoof bottom. Neither horse is lame and both are on pasture 24/7 and fed a low complex carb/high roughage/fat diet. (We're trying to do the best we can!) Any insight on the causes of these conditions and/or corrections?

P.S. They both had to make a long trip from northern Michigan to central Indiana within the last 2 months to get here.

Once the bars get too long, they will often roll under and cause an area that collects thrush. I will need more info on location to help you with the "wide white bands." As to the blood that had not reached the surface, it sounds as if you are seeing the history of a bruise. If there is no lameness, I would not be too concerned. Bruising is common on barefoot horses.

Ugh, the blood ring is the blood supply to his hoof! The farrier didn't even know this. It really upsets me that my horse came the close to hurting and possibly being lame. Needless to say, a new farrier is coming out.

Thanks Chris for the info. You're right, his heels need trimming badly. I think he's okay as far as the white lines. Other horses in this area look the same this time of year, from what I understand.