I've been hearing rumors of this, but haven't had any problems with it myself (knock on wood).  Of course, I've got Morgans, known for their great feet, and they're not shod, don't know if that would make a difference (not a whole lot of dirt there when I go to clean their feet, except when they've gotten into the black gumbo clay when it's wet).  But I hear a lot of talk about it down at the feed store!

UGH...unfortunately, we have had two go lame with severe abscesses.  It is pitiful to watch and care for.  I am at a loss when the rain keeps coming, but I certainly hate to complain especially after the last two years of drought...feast or famine I suppose.  Girls seem to be on the mend, but it certainly has stopped our rides for the moment.

Be prepared, it's supposed to rain all week here in this area of Texas...

My visit with the farrier and the vet was unrelated to the wet weather.  Unfortunately my stud some how found a nail at the training and boarding facility he is currently at and some how drove it into his  own foot.  We are figuring it is a nail trimming by the looks of it so make sure your farriers all carry a magnet and pick up those trimmings ( and count them!) after completing the nailing on each foot!  Since it was driven so far into the hoof with no exterior signs of being there we all thought it was a blow out, that is  until we got no response from the  extensive treatments, and the horse was getting more and more lame by the hour if that is possible.  The vet finally said potentially his foot might be brokern ( oh my god I absolutely lost it and just stood there and silently cried as they tried to coax him into xray.....)  Thank god they did xray as that is when the nail was discovered, and the vet had to dig it out, and then the treatments started in earnest!!  Of course then came the swelling, and fever, and finally a huge blow out.  He is finally back to normal after weeks and weeks of care ( and scare!) and we can start riding him and preparing him for shows this fall.

As far as the wet weather blow outs, both vet and farrier told me they have seen this in both "hard"  (dark) and "soft" (light) hooves and is really more about the moisture and ensuing infections than the hoof make up itself.  The preventative suggestion is to give pastured horses a place to stand out of the rain and mud, to pick their feet regularly, so they are not packed with mud and muck etc!

Looks like we may have some dry weather and sunshine in this area.  Somehow the hurricane missed coming our way.  Bless those that were in it's path.  I guess when it decided to morph from tropical storm to CAT 1 it was very fast!