Barefoot/footiness advice again pls?

janei

janei

Well-Known Member
Joined
18 July 2010
Messages
213
Visit site
Hi all, have had my horse barefoot for about 3 years now been up and down with this as previous farrier used to take too much off and he was always footy for a few days. Have a new farrier who only ever tidies him up for me, hardly ever footy now after a trim. He has been on a big diet over winter as put on way too much weight last year, lost about 50 kg (by weight tape) and looking really good now! Anyway am struggling to ride much except at weekends and occasionally during the week in the school - but its been so wet and boggy this has been minimal! Couple of weeks ago he was really footy over stony ground and really struggled and when we got back seemed to be like he had been galloping around, turns out he had thrush so been treating this but the fields are still really muddy but frogs appear much healthier and getting firmer. Went out today and fine at first but after a trot down a stony lane was again really footy and struggling, then on return was huffing and puffing for a about 10mins! He is turned out during the day, in at night with hay and half scoop fast fibre, miconised linseed and pro hoof. Hes 9. Do I continue to try and work him as I know he needs more work to build up his feet over all ground or go down hoof boot route? I kept him off grass for a couple of days while thrush was at its worst but I cant keep him in all day everyday. Any suggestions and thanks for reading the novel!
 
Huffing and puffing on return isn't normal unless you galloped back to the yard. I'd be wondering if something else was going on.
 
I would say that if you're not able to keep the horse comfy during work then it's best to boot. Are you able to avoid surfaces he's sore on, or is he comfy if he is allowed to pick his way over them carefully?

If he's overweight and not rock crunching, I'd certainly avoid trotting down stoney lanes, or if you have to (for weight loss for eg) then it's best to boot imo.
 
thanks for your replies, I am thinking that the breathing may be discomfort related, he has lost quite a bit of weight and even when he was heavier he had a fair bit of stamina/fitness level, the woman I ride with regularly states that he can go on for ages and never breaks a sweat. He settled down after about 10 mins after we came back, apart from the footiness he is reluctant to walk through the mud to/from his field which I put down to recent thrush and discomfort. Gonna lunge/ride in the school tomorrow and see what he is like and then if heavy breathing might give the vet a call to rule out any probs. If I ride on the beach or in field he is really forward going and not footy, it really is stony ground :confused:
 
sorry forgot to add he doesnt cough and there is no mucus or discharge otherwise would have called vet asap
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top