Barefoot for arthritic horse?

[whiteroom]

My chap is 20 and has arthritic hocks - currently in light work and shod. Last summer he only wore front shoes and imho was very much better in his movement. Farrier thinks shoes and vet thinks try and then decide, physio thinks none behind.

Any thoughts/experience please?

 

[ester]

IMO barefeet are better because of the concussive reduction/reduces jarring further up
It also allows them to grow their own supportive flare if they need it (Frank's (23) stiffer hind is the one with a slightly funky hoof shape.)
Also usually they go bare behind pretty easily, fronts can take a bit longer but still very doable (we have no shoes these days as was lame due to DJD and counter rotated pedal bones/likely collateral ligament issue 4 years ago, been sound ever since )

I have also seen very good results feeding boswellia recently, as a complete aside.

 

[whiteroom]

What a lovely coincidence - my chap is called Frank as well!
Your thoughts match mine - we do have a lot of flinty ground here in Kent but that can be avoided. My thought is to do away with hinds first and see where we are, it is all so frustrating as having had 3 months off he has slowly been brought back to an almost hunting level of fitness, only for the poor boy to look uncomfortable. A mix of too much work maybe but I feel the shoes are part of it.

 

[ester]

I don't think they will be helping.
Good feet are a low sugar, low starch diet, a good no iron vitamin and mineral supplement, micronised linseed and plenty of movement .