Scarlett
Well-Known Member
I'm just comparing some 'now and then' foot pics and thought I would share with those interested... Pics are at the bottom, I've posted them so they can be compared against each other.
As some people on here know I decided to try taking my TB barefoot in January due to some questions over his soundness. He didn't have anything specific except a history of random swelling in his legs - sometimes one, sometimes all - which was the reason he retired from racing in December. Initially I had planned just to pull his shoes and turn him away for 6 months before reshoeing when back in work but taking his shoes off has been such a positive experience so after reading stories on here and speaking to various people he is now in work and still unshod.
He was sound after shoes removed and we set about working him as much as we could over different surfaces. The reaction from his legs was astounding - one day he had heat in one, then all 4, one day both fronts were so swollen they looked like he had blown both front tendons, some days he had windgalls, some days just 4 fat legs. The main vein that runs down the leg was always prominant and a call to my vet assured me that this was just the circulatory system sorting itself out and that we needed to try and keep him moving. He was never lame in this time, it's the only thing that stopped me putting shoes back on him. We walked, and walked and walked. I even spread gravel across the yard to walk over.
His legs gradually adjusted and we decided to go ahead with out plan to turn him out and see what happened. I thought he's be out for months but within 2 weeks of him going out all the swelling had gone and his legs were normal - we brought him back after a month, which was 6 weeks ago now.
Since coming back he has been worked over as many surfaces as I can find, is only slightly footy on really stoney areas when hacking and went to his first dressage on grass in the rain. His feet have been self trimming and as his ridden work is progressing his feed are balancing themselves to how he is moving. His physical issues - tight down one side - are nearly gone and his feet have straightened as he has.
He had his first trim on Monday, 4 months almost to the day after having his shoes pulled. We still have a lots to do but I'm so very pleased we stuck with it! I'm tweaking his diet again at the moment. When he arrived he wouldnt eat fibre, anything damp or anything with a powder supplement in it. We have been able to coax him gradually into eating the good stuff and last week he started eating beet, having previously been leaving it in the bucket having picked out all the stuff he did like!
So, the pics after the trim. The trimmer was reluctant to do too much as they were pretty good as they were. A quick tidy up just to neaten the edges where the old, poor quality horn was cracking was all he needed.
Near Fore
Near Hind
Off Fore
Off Hind
I'm particularly interested in the growth ring on the 'now' pictures. Planning to continue as is as much as possible and see how we go - any thoughts on his feet from those in the know would be appreciated. I'm new to this and it's a LOT of info to take on board!
All comments welcome, as long as constructive. I know a few folk on here are going through difficult times whilst trying to do the best for their horses, hang in there. Change will happen, it just takes time.
As some people on here know I decided to try taking my TB barefoot in January due to some questions over his soundness. He didn't have anything specific except a history of random swelling in his legs - sometimes one, sometimes all - which was the reason he retired from racing in December. Initially I had planned just to pull his shoes and turn him away for 6 months before reshoeing when back in work but taking his shoes off has been such a positive experience so after reading stories on here and speaking to various people he is now in work and still unshod.
He was sound after shoes removed and we set about working him as much as we could over different surfaces. The reaction from his legs was astounding - one day he had heat in one, then all 4, one day both fronts were so swollen they looked like he had blown both front tendons, some days he had windgalls, some days just 4 fat legs. The main vein that runs down the leg was always prominant and a call to my vet assured me that this was just the circulatory system sorting itself out and that we needed to try and keep him moving. He was never lame in this time, it's the only thing that stopped me putting shoes back on him. We walked, and walked and walked. I even spread gravel across the yard to walk over.
His legs gradually adjusted and we decided to go ahead with out plan to turn him out and see what happened. I thought he's be out for months but within 2 weeks of him going out all the swelling had gone and his legs were normal - we brought him back after a month, which was 6 weeks ago now.
Since coming back he has been worked over as many surfaces as I can find, is only slightly footy on really stoney areas when hacking and went to his first dressage on grass in the rain. His feet have been self trimming and as his ridden work is progressing his feed are balancing themselves to how he is moving. His physical issues - tight down one side - are nearly gone and his feet have straightened as he has.
He had his first trim on Monday, 4 months almost to the day after having his shoes pulled. We still have a lots to do but I'm so very pleased we stuck with it! I'm tweaking his diet again at the moment. When he arrived he wouldnt eat fibre, anything damp or anything with a powder supplement in it. We have been able to coax him gradually into eating the good stuff and last week he started eating beet, having previously been leaving it in the bucket having picked out all the stuff he did like!
So, the pics after the trim. The trimmer was reluctant to do too much as they were pretty good as they were. A quick tidy up just to neaten the edges where the old, poor quality horn was cracking was all he needed.
Near Fore
Near Hind
Off Fore
Off Hind
I'm particularly interested in the growth ring on the 'now' pictures. Planning to continue as is as much as possible and see how we go - any thoughts on his feet from those in the know would be appreciated. I'm new to this and it's a LOT of info to take on board!
All comments welcome, as long as constructive. I know a few folk on here are going through difficult times whilst trying to do the best for their horses, hang in there. Change will happen, it just takes time.
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