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triple velvet
Bronze Member
 Scotland
120 Posts |
 Posted - 09 Sep 2014 : 4:07:04 PM
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Just after some advice on going from shoes to barefoot.
This is for Leisha my mare who had lami really bad, she only had it in her fronts with rotation. She started with her lami last November and we are just at the stage where we are introducing light work. My farrier and vet have worked wonders. We really did not think we would get her to the stage of being ridden again.
Anyhow her problem now is keeping her shoes on, she is literally going 2-3 wks and her feet could do with a rest from nails. They look a mess, I feel sorry for my farrier, she wrecks his brains every time he comes out. Speaking with my farrier today he has spoken of taking her shoes off (only has fronts) over the winter and let her feet rest. He has also talked about plastic shoes? I have heard of plastic shoes but never used them. They are expensive (£200). Are they worth a try?
I would like to try her barefoot if possible, has anybody done this without problems? She is at grass livery out 24/7.
Look forward to your experiences. Oh I am feeding her Farriers Formula and coating her hooves with that Bacon stuff?? ( sorry forgotten name)
Jo
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Edited by - triple velvet on 09 Sep 2014 4:08:10 PM
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brooke
New Member
29 Posts |
Posted - 09 Sep 2014 : 4:50:15 PM
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Some horses sail through having their shoes off, others need a lot of adjusting.
Getting the diet right is important, some horses just can not tolerate sugers in feed/grass
I feed mine micronised linseed/magnesium/salt they all help with the feet and the sugers in feed, no mixes or food with molasses in it.
I also use hoof boots if the ground has gone frozen and it is rutted and i can see they are a little foot sore.
Have you any stones/rubble in your paddock as that can make them foot sore at first.
Also you will have to check the feet more often for thrush/whiteline disease because they will be softer and if they have thrush that will cause footyness.
I could go on {and on } but its worth it.
Hope i havent put you off. |
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brooke
New Member
29 Posts |
Posted - 09 Sep 2014 : 4:52:34 PM
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| Forgot to add, its best to put nothing on the hoofs |
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glo
Gold Member
England
1297 Posts |
Posted - 09 Sep 2014 : 5:40:27 PM
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I would just go for it, if you are having hoof boots, measure the hoof with the shoes on! And buy the boots that will fit that hoof size, get some soft pads to go in the boots.
If she's on grass her feet will be preserved as best as you can, buy a wire brush to clean the feet after picking out with a hoof pick.
She may go lame or foot sore on stony or hard places in the paddock, but soon as the nail holes have grown down she will be fine, and if your riding in the hoof boots, it will only be the time to put the boots on.
I have been down the road I use easy boot gloves! Just to say her hoofs will brake up to the nail holes and her feet will look terrible till the holes have grown out, stay with it if you can, after all horses aren't born with shoes on! |
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SuziQ
Gold Member
England
922 Posts |
Posted - 09 Sep 2014 : 7:20:50 PM
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| Definitely hoof boots if you want to keep riding along with good farrier care will at least help her feet recover until they are able to hold shoes again..personally I would try and keep them off so you have a better idea of how she is doing going forward xx |
Everyone in my life brings me happiness, some by arriving others by leaving. |
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FireLight
Gold Member
620 Posts |
Posted - 09 Sep 2014 : 8:20:06 PM
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| I feed Farriers Formula, it took about 8 months but boy was it worth the wait, he now has fantastic hooves and holds his shoes on for 6 weeks now. I was told by the FF rep not to put anything on the hooves just to feed the FF. |
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Pauline
Platinum Member
England
3185 Posts |
Posted - 09 Sep 2014 : 9:00:18 PM
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Stick with it. I have a mare that has Navicular and has had her shoes off for just over a year now.
If you are on facebook it is worth joining one of the Barefoot groups and the Phoenixhorse barefoot forum, you will get a lot of information. Also look at Rockley farm website.
Diet plays a large part in having a horse Barefoot. During the transition boots with the right pads can be a great help. |
Pauline Higgs
Equine & Human Holistic Therapist
www.thegentlestouch.co.cc
www.endurancegbmidsouth.co.uk
Berkshire / Hampshire Border |
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Callisto
Platinum Member
6905 Posts |
Posted - 10 Sep 2014 : 08:11:01 AM
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| We use easyboot trails with pads inside for our welshie who is an ex-laminitic and hates stony going. They are easy to put on and off, they stay on and he goes well in them. |
  Zahkira (GR Amaretto x Taffetta)
Linda
East Sussex |
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triple velvet
Bronze Member
Scotland
120 Posts |
Posted - 10 Sep 2014 : 08:58:06 AM
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Thanks everybody for the positive feed back. She does have a pair of Cavallo horse boots and she don't mind wearing them, they also have a gel insert. I am really tempted on the barefoot after reading your post.
Pauline I will defo look into those web sites. My farrier is due again on the 27th of this month so if her shoes move again within this time, I might give barefoot a try I can always go plastic if this doesn't work.
As of diet she is only on molasses free hifi, Farriers Formula, Magnesium and garlic. She is now out in the field with muzzle on and she looks great. I have two little Section A ponies that keep her on her toes as well!! The stuff I put on her feet I don't always put on but it is suppose to help with the cracks/ nail holes.
Regards
Jo |
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Going barefoot?
