Barefoot/hoof advice please?

[janei]

Horse been without shoes for 3yrs, has done fine up until this winter - last trim in Jan seemed short so left him to grow/self trim - also had thrush due to wet/mud so treated for this, changed diet to FF, micronised linseed and pro hoof at Xmas - still footy on stony ground/an hour of road work - started to weigh and soak hay for 24hrs a week ago. Trying to build up work but seems one step forward two back, feet seem quite good but still landing toe first? Considering boots but lots of people have put me off with tales of problems Trying to add pics of fronts/side view and horse. Thank you for any advice x

Sorry if its long!
ETA - do think I can keep weight right providing I can keep him happy in his feet to do adequate exercise

 

[mightymammoth]

they are starting to go a bit flared at the bottoms aren't they. I hope cptrayes oberon or lucy will be along soon

 

[LucyPriory]

Horse been without shoes for 3yrs, has done fine up until this winter - last trim in Jan seemed short so left him to grow/self trim - also had thrush due to wet/mud so treated for this, changed diet to FF, micronised linseed and pro hoof at Xmas - still footy on stony ground/an hour of road work - started to weigh and soak hay for 24hrs a week ago. Trying to build up work but seems one step forward two back, feet seem quite good but still landing toe first? Considering boots but lots of people have put me off with tales of problems Trying to add pics of fronts/side view and horse. Thank you for any advice x

Ok - got a bit of separating out to do here and deal with one thing at a time. And please bear in mind that photos can be misleading.

First - footy on stony ground. Could be legacy of thrush infection, frogs don't look too bad but are they squishy at all? Also looks like a lack of concavity and sole might be a bit thin in front of frog apex.

Second - toe first landing. Hooves are long in quarters and heel. This is unlikely to encourage a genuine heel first landing, plus the frog gets weak as it is taken out of ground contact and you lose the mechanism to absorb concussion.

White line appears stretched all round and I see that you are trying to address this with dietary changes (great!) Add to this the surface cracks on the outer hoof wall and it suggests you are dealing with some long term mineral/sugar issues. I appreciate he has been ok for past three years, but pigeons come home to roost eventually.

Get your diet right for a bit longer, reconsider your trim, continue treating for thrush. Ask your vet if EMS, IR or other are possibilities.

Boots are great, but you have to get the right sort for your horse and they have to fit. One man's meat and all.

 

[janei]

thanks for responses, frogs are much better but yes still a little bit squishy in the central sulcus area doesnt seem smelly/thrushy though - will continue treating for thrush

Farrier coming next week to trim so will see how he goes after that. Will also look into IR/EMS via vet am also considering muzzling this year to avoid too much grass, he will be in at night but as on livery yard options are limited - previously lived out during summer but put on quite a bit of weight last year

thanks again for your advice