Barefoot and Hoof Boots/Pads

[Topaz Tiger]

Hi Guys, I've recently taken my event horse barefoot for the winter, as she has flat pedal bones and the long heels/short toes required for this weren't good for her hooves in the long term.
The hope was I would stimulate her digital cushion, which would improve her pedal bone angle.
We started off fine, she was coming back after a minor injury, so was only walking 15 mins a day to start with. Then after a couple of weeks she went a bit footy, so I started to avoid areas where she was feeling it, then she went really footy, so gave her a week off whilst trying to find some suitable hoof boots and pads.
One week of work later, just about to start trotting and I had to unavoidably walk over some newly laid hardcore and she badly bruised her hind hoof, one week later I hacked her out today and I think shes still feeling it a bit....
I've had it suggested to me that I boot all 4 feet, which I would do, but my question, and the point of this post, is how beneficial is it to her feet and her digital cushion to ride her this way?
I appreciate its better than shoes, but bearing in mind, I am intending to reshoe her for the start of the event season, will I realistically acheive very much in the time I have left.
I have a very supportive farrier, but this type of bareboot trimming is new to him, so its a bit the blind leading the blind.
I'm already concerned I'm now not going to be ready for the beginning of the event season and if I have anymore setbacks, I definately won't make it.
Any thoughts/experiences people?

 

[LucyPriory]

if you horse has thin soles and weak caudal hoof she will be much better off with well fitting boots and pads. A horse that is sore in any part of their hoof will not use that foot correctly so the required development will not take place, and they may make the upper body sore as well.

If you make the horse comfortable ith boots and pads they will use their feet correctly and they will develop. When you start to get a decent foot then you can consider some exercise without boots.

I did one yesterday. Crippled in HB, bouncingly happy in boots with pads. I had to cut a large hole in the pad over the area in front of the apex of the frog. Soles are designed to take pressure and release, not contant pressure. The hole is relieving a very weak sole.

Please post photos of your horses feet.

 

[Topaz Tiger]

Ah ok thanks Lucy that's really interesting and although willing, information that my farrier is unable to supply, re custom fitting pads etc.
Will try to post photos, but never have before, so bear with me....

 

[Topaz Tiger]

Ok have uploaded photos to my user name, as not sure how to get them on here, hopefully you can access them, otherwise let me know, pictures are 7 weeks barefoot after a slight trim, you can see the end of rolled heels from the shoeing she had.

 

[Topaz Tiger]

Bump

 

[Cragrat]

OK, I am not the best qualified to answer on here, but FWIW, I think you CAN make a massive difference in a few months, IF you get two things right- comfortable, correct movement , for which, as LP says, you need boots, and diet.

Re boots, would your farrier be ok with you getting a decent trimmer to come and advise you re boots? They could help you get the right size etc. different brands etc suit different hoof shapes. Or there is a company, Trevalyan? I think, who offer trials and advice.

Once you have comfortable boots, get him MOVING, miles and miles every day, and check your boot fit as his hooves change.

And look into progressive earth pro hoof, or forage plus minerals.

It will be worth it, those hooves in the pictures look weak and narrow behind, and shallow soled, but not hopeless at all.

Look at rockley farm for inspiration on how quickly hooves can change

 

[Cragrat]

Sorry, didn't answer your question -how beneficial is it to the DC to be ridden in boots? - massively beneficial saw HUGE improvements in one of mine with weak caudal area, once she started heel landing comfortably in boots after while, she was strong enough to not need boots, but she couldn't have got to that point without them.

 

[Topaz Tiger]

Thanks for that cragrat. I have been thinking about getting out a foot trimmer to give me some more specialist advice. I've got a couple of names, but like anything everyone thinks their trimmer is best....