treacle_beastie
Well-Known Member
OK so I went for it and had my horses front shoes removed yesterday, she has had her backs removed for over a year now and they are looking great so we decided to try her without the fronts.
Just a bit of history - she was barefoot when I bought her 2 and half years ago and she was fine but I didnt really know much about barefoot horses then and had shoes put on her.
Shes out in the day and in at night and has to walk on concrete yard then tarmac to get to the field though there are a few stony patches to negotiate but can avoid the worst on the verge.
Shes fed on a scoop of happy hoof and half scoop kwikbeet plus magnesium calmer, benevit advance and garlic. She has good quality hay at night.
I ride her 5/6 times a week which involves 2/3 1.5hr hacks mainly on country lanes and schooling 2/3 times a week in a sand school.
So - I got to her this morning to go for a hack and then changed my mind when I saw her in her stable ( I was being very optimistic anyway!) she looked a little bit uncomfortable, had heat in her hooves and her legs were slightly filled. I decided to take he into the school instead and she was much happier on the sand surface. I took her for a walk down the track and she was a bit hobbly and understandable was sore over the odd stone she walked on.
My question is, what should I be doing exercise wise during the transitioning period - should I just stick to the school for ridden work until she is comfortable walking down the track to the field inhand?
Should I get some hoof boots to hack her in for the time being?
In peoples experiences, how long did it take for your horse to become comfortable hacking out, avoiding stony ground?
Just a bit of history - she was barefoot when I bought her 2 and half years ago and she was fine but I didnt really know much about barefoot horses then and had shoes put on her.
Shes out in the day and in at night and has to walk on concrete yard then tarmac to get to the field though there are a few stony patches to negotiate but can avoid the worst on the verge.
Shes fed on a scoop of happy hoof and half scoop kwikbeet plus magnesium calmer, benevit advance and garlic. She has good quality hay at night.
I ride her 5/6 times a week which involves 2/3 1.5hr hacks mainly on country lanes and schooling 2/3 times a week in a sand school.
So - I got to her this morning to go for a hack and then changed my mind when I saw her in her stable ( I was being very optimistic anyway!) she looked a little bit uncomfortable, had heat in her hooves and her legs were slightly filled. I decided to take he into the school instead and she was much happier on the sand surface. I took her for a walk down the track and she was a bit hobbly and understandable was sore over the odd stone she walked on.
My question is, what should I be doing exercise wise during the transitioning period - should I just stick to the school for ridden work until she is comfortable walking down the track to the field inhand?
Should I get some hoof boots to hack her in for the time being?
In peoples experiences, how long did it take for your horse to become comfortable hacking out, avoiding stony ground?