Alternatives to Shoes...?

[lynz88]

With the super wet weather, we've really been struggling barefoot. Was speaking with vet yesterday and we've made some changes because he is super pokey now on everything except the indoor school surface but vet had mentioned about various alternatives to shoes for him. The fact that she doesn't want to even suggest putting actual shoes on him is a major step forward as she's usually pro-shoeing (and wasn't 100% on board with my decision to remove) but has seen how well and how much happier my boy is without them....apart from his paper thin soles this winter/spring.

He has a chalky stony track to walk up and down each day and I would ask the girls to put his boots on but they are already understaffed and I'm afraid they might forget to take his boots off at the field. It wouldn't be the end of the world to ask them but would prefer to try to keep things as easy as possible. He currently has flex boots which he loved from day 1 but I'm thinking he may need something with more padding, especially to ride out atm.

Does anyone have any experience with shoeing alternatives? She was talking about the composite glue ons and what sounded like a slightly different version of formahoof to give him protection. I'm not going to make any leaps at the moment but am just curious.

 

[alibali]

I haven't tried it myself but a friend swears by Hoof Armour. I've had some in my cupboard for a year waiting to try it but touching wood she hasn't needed it yet!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Hoof armour I use it on both of mine all year round if I think they need it, one of mine went footy with all the wet weather so I kept him in for a few days applied hoof armour and next day he was fine and has been out since.

I especially use it in summer as the track I use to get out gets hard and stony and you really notice how much better they are once you put some on.

Glue on shoes don't stay on well in very wet muddy conditions.

 

[lynz88]

I've been using hoof armour at which it's clear I need to be far more diligent with but am finding it an absolutely flaff with this weather. Although his feet tested much better yesterday with the hoof testers vs a few months ago, they were still tender and think it's getting to all of his feet now. Just thinking about easier alternatives....especially if this weather doesn't let up.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I've been using keratex hoof hardener with great success

 

[KittenInTheTree]

What's he fed? Good feet come from within, after all.

 

[Gloi]

I swear by hoof armour too. Lynz88 hopefully as things dry up you will manage better. It's a lot easier once their feet are dry.

 

[Peglo]

Can you get pads in his boots? I managed to get pads in my easyboot gloves. They are a very snug fit so wasn’t sure I would but they worked well.

 

[lynz88]

He's on alfa A oil, hi fi, linseed, and as of today, soaked hay instead of 50/50 unsoaked hay and haylage. I also have him on oily herbs and started him on Equilibra just less than a month ago (switched from FP Hoof & Skin) and MSM. Have Farriers Aid on order so will swap out the MSM as FA has MSM in it. He looks far better on the Equilibra than the FP already. We have never had an issue until this year (and it began when he was on the FP).

I've got the flex pads but not sure they will make a huge difference. Am going to give it a go and a friend has lent me her Flex's so I can try them on his backs as well.

I'm hoping it will dry up and stay dry as he is much better when we have a stretch of dry. Farrier was out 2 weeks ago and watched him struggle. Now, with the wet, he defo wouldn't be struggling! What's annoying is sacrificing working him for putting the hoof armour on because it's so, so, so wet and muddy everywhere. Or, sacrificing him going out to move around with this arthritis for putting the hoof armour on. It's a no-win situation and I'm so fed up and so is horse Give us 40 degrees and sunshine and we are both golden!

 

[soloequestrian]

What about something like this for the turnout track https://fmbs.co.uk/product/hoof-wraps-bandages/ - look quick to put on and take off and shouldn't matter if they get left on?
To hijack a little - where do people buy Hoof Armour from in the UK? Thanks!

 

[KittenInTheTree]

Do the oily herbs include oregano? Asking as it can affect the body's ability to absorb copper, iron, and zinc, which might very well cause issues with his feet.

 

[lynz88]

Yes it does. I didn't know that? Hmmm. Will look into it deeper. He's been on it for almost 2 years now so would have thought that if an issue we would have come across it before now as it's basically not stopped raining for about 16 months and counting....

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

With the super wet weather, we've really been struggling barefoot. Was speaking with vet yesterday and we've made some changes because he is super pokey now on everything except the indoor school surface but vet had mentioned about various alternatives to shoes for him. The fact that she doesn't want to even suggest putting actual shoes on him is a major step forward as she's usually pro-shoeing (and wasn't 100% on board with my decision to remove) but has seen how well and how much happier my boy is without them....apart from his paper thin soles this winter/spring.

He has a chalky stony track to walk up and down each day and I would ask the girls to put his boots on but they are already understaffed and I'm afraid they might forget to take his boots off at the field. It wouldn't be the end of the world to ask them but would prefer to try to keep things as easy as possible. He currently has flex boots which he loved from day 1 but I'm thinking he may need something with more padding, especially to ride out atm.

Does anyone have any experience with shoeing alternatives? She was talking about the composite glue ons and what sounded like a slightly different version of formahoof to give him protection. I'm not going to make any leaps at the moment but am just curious.

I use scoot boots

 

[Jambarissa]

Scoot boots can be worn 24/7 so they might be OK, especially if it's just them forgetting to take them off.

I noticed Scoot have glue on boots now, they look interesting but absolutely no experience.

One of mine has gone footy, vet says 'probably' not lami but no other suggestions. I'm bringing off the grass during the day to try to reduce sugars.

I've put 2 coats of hoof armour on but not seen a difference.

Any frog issues? Or soft soles? I like red horse products, their Strong Horn is easy to use.

 

[Gloi]

I've put 2 coats of hoof armour on but not seen a difference.

I find it takes time for hoof armour to give full effect, the hoof needs chance to grow more sole under it, which it will as the hoof armour stops it being worn away.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

What about something like this for the turnout track https://fmbs.co.uk/product/hoof-wraps-bandages/ - look quick to put on and take off and shouldn't matter if they get left on?
To hijack a little - where do people buy Hoof Armour from in the UK? Thanks!

Equine Podiatry and Horse Care Supplies, HOOFARMOR,Hoof Boots,Hooves

Equine Podiatry Supplies, HOOFARMOR, Equine Trimming Tools & Apparel, Hoof Boots; Flex & Scoot Boots, Products, Equipment, Supplements. Supporting Today's Equine Community with Cutting Edge Horse & Hoof Products, Trimming Tools, Educational Books, DVD's & Equine Gifts for Horse Loving Equestrians.

www.hoofmanshipshop.com

 

[lynz88]

Mine didn't fit well in Scoots but it may be different now as his feet have changed a lot.

He has very soft and paper thin soles though better than a few months ago. However I think the issue now is it is affecting all 4 feet so is very cautious where he puts each foot.

You should see a difference within a few days if you've double layered your hoof armour but it may depend on the surface. I only really noticed on the soft indoor surface where he became far less tense when I first started with the armour. It takes a long time to grow new, thicker sole and also hence why I'm curious about alternatives.

 

[Ratface]

I've been using keratex hoof hardener with great success

When transitioning Old Horse's fronts from shod to unshod, I used Keratex Hoof Hardener. That was years ago. I don't use anything now. He's retired, but still annoys the grooms and the YO by jogging and bouncing over the gravel surface from the fields to the stables. Farrier is always very pleased with the state of his feet.

 

[soloequestrian]

Equine Podiatry and Horse Care Supplies, HOOFARMOR,Hoof Boots,Hooves

Equine Podiatry Supplies, HOOFARMOR, Equine Trimming Tools & Apparel, Hoof Boots; Flex & Scoot Boots, Products, Equipment, Supplements. Supporting Today's Equine Community with Cutting Edge Horse & Hoof Products, Trimming Tools, Educational Books, DVD's & Equine Gifts for Horse Loving Equestrians.

www.hoofmanshipshop.com

Thank you! Their website is making me want to scream though, doesn't seem to like being on a laptop!!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Thank you! Their website is making me want to scream though, doesn't seem to like being on a laptop!!

Try on your phone I order it no problem on mine.

 

[Fieldlife]

With the super wet weather, we've really been struggling barefoot. Was speaking with vet yesterday and we've made some changes because he is super pokey now on everything except the indoor school surface but vet had mentioned about various alternatives to shoes for him. The fact that she doesn't want to even suggest putting actual shoes on him is a major step forward as she's usually pro-shoeing (and wasn't 100% on board with my decision to remove) but has seen how well and how much happier my boy is without them....apart from his paper thin soles this winter/spring.

He has a chalky stony track to walk up and down each day and I would ask the girls to put his boots on but they are already understaffed and I'm afraid they might forget to take his boots off at the field. It wouldn't be the end of the world to ask them but would prefer to try to keep things as easy as possible. He currently has flex boots which he loved from day 1 but I'm thinking he may need something with more padding, especially to ride out atm.

Does anyone have any experience with shoeing alternatives? She was talking about the composite glue ons and what sounded like a slightly different version of formahoof to give him protection. I'm not going to make any leaps at the moment but am just curious.

Locally Ricky Gache is the farrier that I know what has done most work with glue ons / formahoof / alternative shoes. I went to a formahoof demo he did.

 

[Michen]

I liked the easycare glue ons I used last year, but had no mud so not sure how they'd do. They did very well eventing, hacking over rough terrain etc though.

 

[lynz88]

Locally Ricky Gache is the farrier that I know what has done most work with glue ons / formahoof / alternative shoes. I went to a formahoof demo he did.

This is good to know. Will talk to him/Joe.

I liked the easycare glue ons I used last year, but had no mud so not sure how they'd do. They did very well eventing, hacking over rough terrain etc though.

These alternatives do seem a lot more popular in the US. I've also seen the easyshoe to be quite "popular" in my general searching

 

[Gloi]

This is good to know. Will talk to him/Joe.


These alternatives do seem a lot more popular in the US. I've also seen the easyshoe to be quite "popular" in my general searching

Probably because you are allowed to put them on by yourself in the USA but are meant to use a farrier for anything permanently fixed to the hoof in UK.