Barefoot horse feeling hard ground?

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Rebels

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Horse is 6, never had shoes, feet look good and hard. However horse is showing signs of looking jarred up and is stuffy/not wanting to go forwards. About to take bloods and get back etc checked., saddle just done but does feel like feet. Not ideal as first ODE is Sunday and ill have to sub a much more inexperienced horse in. :-(
Thought being bare lessened this type of thing?
 
I would first of all be looking at the grass as well. After months of having none, it's now coming through thick and fast. The high sugar content will have an effect on any horse's deet - it's just way more noticeable on a barefoot horse. Can't advise on the individual case as I don't know the horse, but I would certainly look at controlling the access to rich grass by what ever means you can.
 
Agree grass, LGL even? I have pulled my horse off the grass as his winter field is just too rich, he is now in at night so is having a break. I noticed that he was tender on the stones at the yard and watching his steps. Over past two weeks (since having a break from gorging on that evil grass), that he much better.
 
I would bring him in off the grass, if that is the problem he should be ok by weekend if you are lucky.
 
Bring him off the grass during the day
At six his growth rate is slowing this can cause them to react more to grass than they did when younger.
You could also consider a few days off the grass completely on soaked hay if he shows a big improvement then it's likely you will need to manage his grass intake more than you have had to.
 
Thanks, he is in 11 hours a day with a small amount of meadow hay and then hi fibre haylage in the afternoon. On high fibre feed and not overweight though has that tendency. I will keep him in for a few days and see how that helps.
 
He has increased intensity of rides so more cantering and plenty of trot work on a variety of surfaces plus decent schooling sessions. He has struggled with the amount of rape pollen in the air though.
 
That's my worry. Im loath to shoe but needs must if so. I'll try a few days in first then speak to farrier.
 
It's a hard one I have shod in these circumstances when a horse hunting went from one short day a week to two long ones I needed to work him to settle him to the job and the BF where getting in the way.
I have his shoes back off now he wore them until the end of the season he's back Bf now , next season he will be shod from the beginning of the season.
The good news was he came out of shoes with no hiccups , short holiday as he needed a break lead around for a week ,back to work no problems so it seems in his case at least it seems that my plan of keeping BF a big chuck of the year will work.
You can shoe him while you are working more intensely then go BF in less busy times it's not the end of the world.
I don't think it's a bright idea to shoe and then take him to an ODE quickly as he will need time to learn to work shod so I think any way you look at this you are going to miss this weekend ( typical) .
So if he where mine I would back off a few days and assess whats going on.
If its grass then you can manage that .
If it work outstripping tolerance it's your call you could back off a while and build up again or shoe and use your horse , the latter is where I was I decided I kept my horse to use him and shod him while I needed to.
I might put him on Protexin at the double dose if he where mine.
 
Thanks Golden star, that's very useful info. I've never been into the boots having seen them incorrectly fitted on two different horses causing all sorts of problems but will go and have a Google. His feet self trim but don't look overly short.
Left him grumpy in the stable tonight, mean mummy that I am!
 
Rebels said:
Thanks Golden star, that's very useful info. I've never been into the boots having seen them incorrectly fitted on two different horses causing all sorts of problems but will go and have a Google. His feet self trim but don't look overly short.
Left him grumpy in the stable tonight, mean mummy that I am!
Click to expand...

Not as mean as me look ay my cant go out of the house thread.
 
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