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!

 

[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.