Am I Doing the Right Thing?

[Purdie]

My Angol Arab has been throwing shoes every 2 weeks for the month or so, since the ground has been so wet. I'm now at the point where I thinking of taking them off for 6 weeks, and focusing on ground work, schooling and loading while they are off. She's 7, broken as a 5 year old, I bought her as a six year old who was in a total mess, she going really well. What do you think?

 

[Nari]

I think you need to speak to your farrier as he's in a much better position than me to give you advice!

Meanwhile things to consider are the quality of the hoof, how often & well she's shod, her diet, how well you think she'll cope unshod, what you'll do if it doesn't help etc etc etc.

 

[LauraHi]

I agree work with your farrier - I had a problem with my TB throwing shoes (pulling them off in the mud) and he and I worked through it together - trying shorter shoes etc. You could also try over reach boots (if it is the front shoes she is pulling off) or old mac boots if you decide to go unshod which I haven't used but understand are v good.
I would really only think of going unshod if your horse had v good quality horn - my ID gelding has tough, black horn and he copes well but my TB would be horribly lame unshod.
Hope that helps
L x