As a follow on from cavello ( barefoot)

[mulledwhine]

I have never shod a pony or horse , never had the need!

Minis pony does next to no road work and is almost exclusively on grass.

However , I have noticed that at the end of their lesson ( we go on a small walk to wind down and just chill out ), the small amount of Tarmac that he walks on is now making him look a bit uncomfortable !!

Now this is the question...

Is it the change in the texture if the ground ?

Or does it hurt his feet?

Would like to avoid shoes at all costs , as they are not necessary, but if this period of what should be pleasure is bringing him discomfort , what would you do?

If anything ?

 

[Kallibear]

He'll be sensitive BECAUSE he does very little hard work. It takes time and stimulation to build hard strong feet.
Is it sore? Probably not, it'll be like you nipping out to the car without shoes on. Tender and you're very careful but only sore if you step on something sharp.

Too much sugar (sometimes ANY, if you've got a sugar sensitive pansy like mine ) will make him more sensitive so check his diet.

It's a shame (not to mention a waste of money! ) to put shoes on for such a small need.

Why not get him some cavallo boots? They take seconds to put on and your daughter (son?!) doesn't even need to get off. The instructor can just slip them on and send them off to cool down.

 

[mulledwhine]

That is what I was hoping to hear, thank you

OH was the one who put the doubt in my mind, but I knew I was right

Thank you again