Barefoot after navicular diagnosis

[Tiddlypom]

The mare in the pic that I posted above was in Cavallo treks all round for turnout. I don't find that they rub even when worn all day. They have a forgiving fit so are a good choice when the shoes first come off and the feet are changing.

Scoots wouldn't be my choice for turnout. I have scoots but strictly for ridden work, the mare in my avatar is wearing scoots all round.

 

[Hollylee1989]

I use the equine fusion all terrain jogging boot, the hoof boot shop came out to do the measurements, and suggest the suitable brand. It's great as you walk away with them the same day

 

[ester]

good boots are reliant on good fit. Some boots are better for transitioning as allow for more changes and others are better for longer term 'sports' use.

The best thing you can do is take photos of a tape measure against your horses sole and seek advice from any of the main uk retailers and they can best advise what would suit.
Hoof bootique/urban horse/equine podiatry supplies/the saddlery shop.

 

[tristar]

do lots of measuring and consulting with boot sellers, some boots are like bloody buckets! and the type of dainty ankle horse may not suit some, i have five different sorts here,
it helps to go for something easy to fasten! the scoots were hard for me to fasten to start with.

i like the easy boot gloves, and boas, but have mainly blood horses

i find weight management crucial for the horse, lots of movement of any sort, keep the horse light on its feet and mobile as poss

 

[criso]

I went through 3 pairs of boots though one pair were borrowed at the start as his feet changed shape so much. The fusions definitely the best out of the ones I tried for changing feet.

I now have Renegades which I use occasionally and are great but wouldn't have worked at the start.

One word of warning. Be careful of the barefoot group on Facebook. My experience was they recommended their favourites regardless of hoof shape and suggested getting the hooves trimmed to fit. With a horse with foot problems, you may not want to impose a pre determined shape and there may be some wonkiness which is needed.

 

[SEL]

I got advice from hoof boutique and borrowed various types off friends to see the fit. My big mare has dinner plate feet with dainty ankles and only scoots really worked. Even they aren't great because the rubber round the back of the heel bulb is unforgiving.

 

[ycbm]

Be aware also that rubbing is very much related to the individual horse and only partly to the choice of boot. Some horses could end up a rubbed raw mess if chucked out in them all day, others will have no issues. Also, where boots rub is often in the crease of the heel and that spot can be a devil to get to heal again, so please test shorter periods first.

I think Renegades are unbeatable for riding in but they are damned fiddly to set up, and I wouldn't turn out in them though I might use others.

 

[Zoeypxo]

I contacted urban horse to get mine set up with some boots, had a fit kit sent out of different boots and ended up going with cavallo treks infront and flex behind

i liked the look of scoots but they dont fit my horses foot shape/type

 

[SweetDreams]

These responses are great thanks so much everyone! The barefoot and hoof boot adventure is a minefield

 

[Highmileagecob]

Cavallo Treks are easy enough to measure for, but the boot can be a bit roomy. Use a size 1 baby's nappy as a sock to take up extra space and prevent rubbing. Do not get it wet!

 

[Tiddlypom]

Btw, I did build up the turnout time carefully in cavallo treks, starting with 30 mins at a time, then 2 hours and so on up to full time turn out. Never had a rub and that's with 3 different horses. Hardly ever have to use them now, but I've still got them all in sizes 2 to 6 just in case!

They do look rather clumpy for ridden work compared to scoots, but people do ride in them.

 

[SweetDreams]

Hi all we are now 3 weeks after shoe removal, doing great and now sound on the turn each way, started to increase walk work by a few minutes and distance but observed some sensitivity over small rock type ground since introducing over last couple of days can this be normal? Am I missing something? No change in feed from initial change to reduce sugar and starch, slightly worried but hoping I’ve not ruined things for us? Any advice please - thanks

 

[ycbm]

but observed some sensitivity over small rock type ground since introducing over last couple of days can this be normal?

Reread post number 8 !

 

[SweetDreams]

Reread post number 8 !

Thankyou *sigh of relief* do you recommend at this point to just carry on as normal? Reduce this kind of ground work? Boots?

 

[Highmileagecob]

Boots would help, and pad the interior too. You should be aiming to get the frog working without drastically reducing the height of the heels. If you can support the frog so that there is gentle pressure, you will start to see the frog increase in size, and the entire heel area of the hoof should start to build good heel bulbs. You may get setbacks such as a hoof abscess as the internal structures in the hoof remodel and new hoof angles start to grow in, but don't write the horse off at this stage! It is a very slow process. Think of it as growing out stiletto heels! Pete Ramey's Hoof Rehab site has some good before and after photos.

 

[SEL]

All my barefoot horses will pick their way over rocky ground. One of our bridlepaths has had ballast on it - I just let them find their way through.

 

[SweetDreams]

I am emphatically NOT an expert, but if you are any where near me I'd be happy to hold your hand through the first few weeks/ months. There's nothing quite like seeing the horse in person.
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This would be ideal please can you private message me!