Advice on caring for unshod hoofies!

[bex1984]

Hi everyone.

I could do with a bit of advice. Pony is unshod, barefoot, shoeless...whatever you choose to call it! I've had him for 5 weeks and he arrived with dinner plate size feet which I thought might need a bit of work from a remedial farrier.

Farrier came out, trimmed his hooves and said he's fine - doesn't need shoes at the mo but will re-assess if I start doing lots of roadwork (unlikely!).

So, with this dry weather they front ones are starting to look a bit chipped and dry and I've never looked after an unshod horse before so I'm wondering what are the things I can do to keep his hoofies all healthy and lovely?

Should I be feeding any (probably hugely expensive) supplements or applying any lotions and potions?

Any advice from those used to having shoe-less nags would be fab! I'm not doing anything at the moment except picking out and checking them thoroughly every evening and am worried I'm neglecting them?

Thanks - sorry I waffle on so much!
xxx

 

[_daisy_]

best thing my barefoot trimmer has recommended for my horses is tubbing them in plain water. Or if I want to use something like Effol I can - but she thinks its a waste of money as tubbing does the same thing.

 

[clipclop]

If the chips are very small, don't worry too much. It is what you might call "self trimming". If you want him to look tidy and you feel confident enough you can tidy up any sharp edges with an old rasp (Farriers are normally more than happy to pass on a blunt rasp and show you what to do).
If you are worried the chipping is going too far, get your Farrier out to have a look.
I don't think lotions and potions do a great deal to be honest.
ECW's idea of tubbing may well help?
I find this dry weather is just perfect for the feet. It is the wet that causes me problems.
Ideally keep in contact with your Farrier. He is the one who deals with the feet and he will know what is the best thing to do.

 

[plough0_0]

You will have to expect the edges to get a little rough ,but as long as the chips are only small dont worry too much . working in a sand school files them neatly , any moisture will help in this dry weather . I was in the same position as you 15 months ago and I am still waiting for the farrier to say I need shoes , its great I dont dread him coming anymore and never lose a days work cos of a loose shoe

 

[dunthing]

My highland hasnt been shod for years and he has very good feet. My dauhter has an ex P2P horse who hasnt been shod for over a year. Get them trimmed regularly and they should be ok as long as theres not too much road work.

 

[MagicMelon]

Depends who's trimming them - is it your usual farrier who trims them as if going to put a shoe on? Or is it an actual barefoot trimmer? My ponies have begun being done by a proper barefoot trimmer (after my usual farrier absolutely ruined them.....) and none of them are getting chipped or anything. Ive been told to leave mine out 24/7 as its best for them to move about. Otherwise I pick them out daily and thats about it! I dont feed any supplements specifically for hooves. Although mine luckily have pretty decent hooves anyway. If you think yours needs something, you could feed Farriers Formula - it IS expensive but fab stuff!