Barefoot newby

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smellsofhorse

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I was considering taking my tb barefoot for a while.

I changed his diet to agrobs Wiesencobs and pro hoof about a month ago.
His feet, especially the front were getting progressively worse over the summer, splitting, cracking etc.
He hasn't seemed right for a couple did weeks and then Tuesday he wasn't happy when we went for a hack.
So i decided that was it!
Wednesday a different farrier to my usual came and took his shoes off.

So our journey barefoot starts now!

I've emailed some local podiatrist.

Looking at some boots to help his fonts initially.
I like the look of the renegades and scoot boots but any other suggestions?

When measuring his feet today though they arent symmetrical, his frogs and toes arnt central.
I'm a novice at so is this anything to worry about?
Will correct trimming help?

Anything other advice would be great!

Thank you.
 
My advice about boots would be to buy the first ones secondhand. Your horse's feet will change shape or a certain type may not work for you so you can put them back on ebay and try again without losing money. Once you know what works and fit well then you can think about new ones. I have Easyboot Epics on mine.
 
Gloi said:
My advice about boots would be to buy the first ones secondhand. Your horse's feet will change shape or a certain type may not work for you so you can put them back on ebay and try again without losing money. Once you know what works and fit well then you can think about new ones. I have Easyboot Epics on mine.
Click to expand...

Agree. Get second hand, you might never need them again once he's transitioned. Lots of comfortable walking is what he needs.

Boots are a bit of an irritation. I've given up and just walking my latest horse out on surfaces she can cope with. However she's a cob not a TB so her feet are pretty good to start with.

I would say renegades or easyboots are the best in terms of not rubbing the fetlock. I had no success with cavallos but potentially they are cheap and cheerful if you are just walking. No good for high speed hacks.

I've done about ten transitions now with and without boots at various times some have been easy some have been a bit more trying. I personally think self trimming is the optimum situation for any bf horse if you can achieve it (the horse wears it's own feet to the shape it needs without the need for mechanical trimming). It will be a learning curve tho. Main thing is not to panic. Horses have been walking on their own feet for hundreds of years ;)
 
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