Barefoot gurus:opinions wanted

[Caol Ila]

About a month ago, Fin had a hole/brewing abscess in his foot, which the farrier cut out. When he did, he cut away quite a lot of foot. Fin was sore on it so I stopped riding. I’ve been waiting for it to grow out a bit. As of last week, he looked sound on the lunge, so I’ve taken him on a couple 30 minute rides on the road, all at walk. Felt okay last week but this week, his hacking buddy power walked home (the only other horse I know who doesn’t rush home is Hermosa , and no, I can’t pony because it would be utterly stupid on our roads, and Fin can be unpredictable), and he didn’t feel great scrambling along to keep up. I had farrier look at his foot yesterday, and he said that he should still have time off and wet fields weren’t helping.

My farrier does a competent barefoot trim, better than everyone else I have used, but he’s not a barefoot expert. So I’m after second opinions. My vague understanding is that a wee bit of light roadwork can actually stimulate more growth as horses grow the foot they need. But I obviously don’t want to make him sore. Is there anything I can do to help him? Light roadwork? Nothing at all? Hoof hardeners (farrier recommended iodine)? Something else?

He is stabled at night and out for 6-8 hours during the day. He walks on some concrete and a kind of rocky track to get between the stable and the field. The field is obviously wet and muddy.

Here’s some photos of his foot. Left hind. Any suggestions or thoughts?

 

[FFAQ]

Do you have hoof boots? If he's sound in hoof boots, it might be a good way to get you back on board. And of course, movement is good for feet!

 

[SEL]

I find my life long barefoot mare can feel her feet when her frogs get a bit soft in winter. She's fine in scoots but even with mud straps I've had to recover them from our bog of a bridleway - so I've had to reduce my tarmac time.

 

[TPO]

Do you have hoof boots? If he's sound in hoof boots, it might be a good way to get you back on board. And of course, movement is good for feet!

I'd second boots but with an EP pad [possibly with frog cut out]. Movement is good, but only comfortable movement will help.

 

[pistolpete]

Can you pack it with some artimud or hoof putty. I’d be using hoof boots for a while too. Maybe a nappy in the boot for paddling. A friend of mine couldn’t get hoof boots to fit her very wide hoofed cob so with duct tape co flex and nappies she made a pair of boots!

 

[Fieldlife]

Is the happier with nappy & duct tape? Or boots?

Hoof armor or Keratex?

He’s only out 5-6 hours? Is his bed that he’s on a lot pretty dry?

 

[Caol Ila]

Was hoping to avoid hoof boots, since none of the many I own fit his hind feet. He wears Renegades up front but they don't fit his hinds, and Hermosa's assorted boots aren't even in the ballpark.

But needs must... Maybe he's a normal enough size for a used pair out there to fit.

 

[Tiddlypom]

If hoof boots are going to be tricky, how about trying Keratex hoof hardener on his soles? Apply daily to dry feet for a week then twice weekly.

Was recommended by my vet for my senior mare, has worked wonders on her.

 

[Highmileagecob]

He appears to have a fair chunk of hoof wall missing, which will unbalance him, plus the hole that the farrier dug. The abscess may well be quite tender, and unfortunately, it will need to heal from the bottom and grow out. As a temporary measure you could cut a hoof shape out of a pair of men's flip flops (stand hoof on it and draw round) and duct tape it in place. If it makes him more comfortable, then hoof boots might be a good shout. A pair of Cavallo Treks are a forgiving size with room to pad.

 

[Widgeon]

I have a pair of Cavallos that I bought as emergency spare tyres for a barefoot horse on a multi day ride. I don't need them now so if you do decide Cavallos would be useful, I can check the size.

 

[tda]

I am not an expert, but you can clearly see in the third pic that he has been loading his hoof on one side.
The LHS is worn lovely near perfect self trim, the RHS the bar is folded over and the heel has sort of slid out to the side

 

[Gloi]

Scrub out that broken off hollow, dry it and pack it with something that will stop mud and grit getting in and making it deeper. If hoof putty is not enough, Hoof Armour on the area a couple of times would work if you have it or even some epoxy resin. Give the hoof chance to regrow that part.

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

If it were me I would scrub that out with Milton or similar and dry it out then pack it with either hoof paste (various makes out these) or tea tree oil on cotton wool works as well.

There may be a small bit of grit in there annoying him still. Some horses feel more when the farriers been digging about.

 

[Landcruiser]

He's walking on his bar on that one side, he really does need to have the weight taken off that while the heel grows back in. It will be quite sore as it is, and likely cause other issues as he'll be compensating. I just bought a second hand set of cavallos from ebay for £60, and they will be your best bet because you can add foam pads (the EVA ones you cut to fit). No point using hoof hardener, you have a mechanical problem as well as likely still some inflammation from the original issue.

 

[Spirit7]

I’d also treat for thrush.

 

[Cherisheddust]

Agree with having a scrape out of the hole. Wire brush, shoe nail, give it a good look at and clean. I'd pack that with a firm mix of Golden Hoof. Mixed to a paste you can ball up. I've used all the mud type preps and find Golden Hoof as a paste, the most effective and very cheap! I use it on the sheep, so have a big bucket here. Keep a looser mix to soak the frog to tackle any thrush. Surprising how sensitive a bit of thrush can make them. Wire brushing the gap daily will give the hoof stimulation to grow. No need to put too much elbow grease behind it. Golden Hoof is so cheap you can splash it around with abandon. As you know, working the hoof is your friend. I'd let Fin find his own way on a hack to keep comfortable. Tarmac is good if it's without tons of loose stones. Gritty mud can wear the hoof too much, too soon. Been in this type of situation several times over the decades. If the horse is sound but tender on different surfaces, I find a way of working within their comfort zone to get the correct growth they need. Good luck.
ps.. I use Scoots on a driving horse due to the trotting on Roads. However, I find when using boots, I have to go through the conditioning process all over again when I remove them. Hence my riding horses are all barefoot from the start, no boots and we take our time, letting them pick the comfortable route. It works really well, really quickly when you take to stop watch off. Their hooves are amazing healing machines.