BAREFOOT. No problem, it's really easy !

[POLLDARK]

I decided to take the New Forests shoes off for the winter (first time I've done this)as he won't get hacked more than a couple of times a week until spring. Farrier took them off on Friday, hacked on Sunday included 2.5 miles of roadwork. No problem, I don't think he even noticed the difference. Hacked again today, same thing. Hooves look fine, he just gets hay & grass, no fancy additives. He has always had great feet but even so I can't why people think barefoot is something mystical.

 

[*hic*]

where's the like button!

If your horse's feet are up to it that's great. What I really really object to is people putting their horses through, in some cases, years of torture aka transitioning in order to prove a point. I would never choose to shoe a youngster UNTIL SUCH TIME AS HE OR SHE WAS PROVEN TO NEED IT but with horses that are used to being shod taking their shoes off and trying to get them over the pain and lameness seems nothing short of cruel to me.

Lucky you to have a horse with decent feet who is happy. I currently have two shod and five without shoes.

 

[flyingfeet]

That's great and for horses in little work it makes a lot of sense

I had to shoe my iron footed girl, for the first time in 8 years, as I upped the work load and the wear was uneven causing a twist on the hind feet. Would have preferred to keep her unshod, but I suppose it keeps the farrier in business as I've taken the shoes off two turned away for the winter!

Just keep an eye on the feet and as long as everything is level all is good !

 

[Mince Pie]

It is easy if you have a horse that already has good feet. I have an unshod TB who takes a bit more to manage.

 

[Lady La La]

where's the like button!

If your horse's feet are up to it that's great. What I really really object to is people putting their horses through, in some cases, years of torture aka transitioning in order to prove a point. I would never choose to shoe a youngster UNTIL SUCH TIME AS HE OR SHE WAS PROVEN TO NEED IT but with horses that are used to being shod taking their shoes off and trying to get them over the pain and lameness seems nothing short of cruel to me.

Lucky you to have a horse with decent feet who is happy. I currently have two shod and five without shoes.

*like*

 

[Oberon]

where's the like button!

If your horse's feet are up to it that's great. What I really really object to is people putting their horses through, in some cases, years of torture aka transitioning in order to prove a point. I would never choose to shoe a youngster UNTIL SUCH TIME AS HE OR SHE WAS PROVEN TO NEED IT but with horses that are used to being shod taking their shoes off and trying to get them over the pain and lameness seems nothing short of cruel to me.

Lucky you to have a horse with decent feet who is happy. I currently have two shod and five without shoes.

I agree. No horse should put their horse through years of torture to prove a point.
They should look at what they're doing wrong and get the help they need for the horse.

Transitioning should be painless with the right approach.

I also disagree with horses being poorly shod for years and carrying on despite the strain, then something breaks and the only option is PTS or neurectomy - all for the sake of sorting out the hooves properly or looking outside the box.

I'm not suggesting anyone's horses are poorly shod here BTW.

 

[brucea]

The real question is "Why is the horse doing poorly in the first place?"

Nine times out of 10 it comes down to diet or sensitivity to grass underlying the problem of not being able to cope barefoot.

 

[cptrayes]

I decided to take the New Forests shoes off for the winter (first time I've done this)as he won't get hacked more than a couple of times a week until spring. Farrier took them off on Friday, hacked on Sunday included 2.5 miles of roadwork. No problem, I don't think he even noticed the difference. Hacked again today, same thing. Hooves look fine, he just gets hay & grass, no fancy additives. He has always had great feet but even so I can't why people think barefoot is something mystical.

You have had one easy horse and I am very pleased for you. Tell us in the spring when the grass comes through whether you are still finding it so easy to keep your pony barefoot.

If not, we will help, but meanwhile just thank your lucky stars that you have an easy one, and enjoy not paying for shoes any more.

 

[CBFan]

You have had one easy horse adn I am very pleased for you. Tell us in the spring when the grass comes through whether you are still finding it so easy to keep your pony barefoot.

If not, we will help, but meanwhile just thank your lucky stars that you have an easy one, and enjoy not paying for shoes any more.

**Like**

 

[milesjess]

I took my boys off not so long ago. He went from a full set when I bought him, down to two fronts and now none he does have good feet though and he's coping just fine plus saving me a fortune!

 

[cptrayes]

What I really really object to is people putting their horses through, in some cases, years of torture aka transitioning in order to prove a point.

Do you know anyone who would do this?

I don't and I hope if you do that you have reported them to the relevant authorities?

 

[*hic*]

Do a quick search on here for people asking for help with problems after struggling with barefoot horses longterm

It's great they're asking for help. It's appalling that they have been attempting to manage the situation for so long, carrying on with "footy" horses.

In fact you've probably replied to some of them to try to help. It's just that you see it as a problem to find a solution to within the barefoot principles whereas I see it as a problem with a simple solution - stick the shoes back on. This is of course where people are trying to take shoes off for principle or to save money and the horse has been perfectly sound when shod, not when there is an underlying condition which would be improved by not being shod / trimmed differently.

 

[soulfull]

Do a quick search on here for people asking for help with problems after struggling with barefoot horses longterm

It's great they're asking for help. It's appalling that they have been attempting to manage the situation for so long, carrying on with "footy" horses.

In fact you've probably replied to some of them to try to help. It's just that you see it as a problem to find a solution to within the barefoot principles whereas I see it as a problem with a simple solution - stick the shoes back on. This is of course where people are trying to take shoes off for principle or to save money and the horse has been perfectly sound when shod, not when there is an underlying condition which would be improved by not being shod / trimmed differently.

I am not barefoot campaigner or such like BUT I think this is still a bit 'general' I am looking into barefoot for my horse's sake as he is lame BUT I had started to look into it before he went lame as the more I have read the more it makes sense. However if I cannot do what it takes to keep him barefoot then I will revert to shoes like most people do

I guess some people see it as not giving up in trying to do what they think will be the best in the long term, and as long as horse isn't made to work while sore or actually made lame then I don't see the problem in taking time and advise to make it happen

 

[Lady La La]

Do a quick search on here for people asking for help with problems after struggling with barefoot horses longterm

It's great they're asking for help. It's appalling that they have been attempting to manage the situation for so long, carrying on with "footy" horses.

In fact you've probably replied to some of them to try to help. It's just that you see it as a problem to find a solution to within the barefoot principles whereas I see it as a problem with a simple solution - stick the shoes back on. This is of course where people are trying to take shoes off for principle or to save money and the horse has been perfectly sound when shod, not when there is an underlying condition which would be improved by not being shod / trimmed differently.

*like again*

... I've seen many people on here repeatedly attempt to offer solutions to desperate barefooters where the quick and easy solution would be to wack the shoes back on and stop prolonging your horses disscomfort.

My cob was successfuly barefoot for the years in which I had her, before anyone jumps on me for being anti barefoot... and my tb was not, because she couldn't cope well enough without shoes

 

[Vetwrap]

JMHO, but the thing that worries me is people thinking that going barefoot is a cheap, money saving option. For myself, I have two and are fully or partially shod and a 6 year old TB x WB who has never had shoes. I pay around £110 every six weeks to my farrier and £45 every six weeks to my trimmer. I do try to keep his feet under control as regards chips being smoothed, but I would not try and maintain his feet without increasing my knowledge and getting some proper training myself.

Other than that, he has a high fibre, sugar free diet and a magnesium supplement.

I am probably doing some wrong things - in an ideal world his bedding and grazing arrangements would be different, but so far **touching every bit of wood around**, we seem to be doing ok, just keeping it simple - and properly supervised by my trimmer.

 

[PooJay]

Do a quick search on here for people asking for help with problems after struggling with barefoot horses longterm

It's great they're asking for help. It's appalling that they have been attempting to manage the situation for so long, carrying on with "footy" horses.

In fact you've probably replied to some of them to try to help. It's just that you see it as a problem to find a solution to within the barefoot principles whereas I see it as a problem with a simple solution - stick the shoes back on. This is of course where people are trying to take shoes off for principle or to save money and the horse has been perfectly sound when shod, not when there is an underlying condition which would be improved by not being shod / trimmed differently.

I would rather suggest that the owner put a pair of boots on it to make the transition more comfortable rather than shoes. .

If the horse has thin soles or sore feet then there obviously IS an underlying problem that the shoes masked though no?

 

[tallyho!]

Lots of generalizations going on. There is no such thing as a desperate barefooter. There is such a thing as a desperate owner with a lame horse in shoes.
Most owners with corrected management do well barefoot whether it be long or short term to correct a hoof gone wrong.
Some do well anyway like the op.
However, a few will not do so well and may need to reevaluate which is not uncommon for any complaint.

 

[Jesstickle]

I would never choose to shoe a youngster UNTIL SUCH TIME AS HE OR SHE WAS PROVEN TO NEED IT

This is my general guide line too. I'm lucky as BH seems not to need them for anything! Well, nothing I've found so far anyway. He's a good boy

 

[jsr]

Never thought there was anything 'mystical' about it...just have a horse that cannot go barefoot..simple really. If they can do it if they can't don't.

Hate being preached to.

 

[Lady La La]

Lots of generalizations going on. There is no such thing as a desperate barefooter. There is such a thing as a desperate owner with a lame horse in shoes.
.

You tell that to the numpty at my yard who is and I quote a "desperate barefooter" - Her horse was and always has been sound as a pound in shoes, but the local Parelli-ite has persuaded her that barefoot is a much healthier option for her horse... she has been struggling with him ever since, he will not stay sound in the amount of work she wants to do, without shoes.
Will she put shoes back on? No, because its "unhealthy"

 

[frankie8]

I would rather suggest that the owner put a pair of boots on it to make the transition more comfortable rather than shoes. .

If the horse has thin soles or sore feet then there obviously IS an underlying problem that the shoes masked though no?

This! I'm surprised more don't use boots being that there is so much choice out there.

 

[amandap]

Slapping shoes on may hide the footyness so the horse can work for us but has it truly solved the problem from the horses point of view?

Good luck op.

Also I think barefoot is easy for a huge number of horses we just tend to read about those with problems on forums.

 

[Lady La La]

Slapping shoes on may hide the footyness so the horse can work for us but has it truly solved the problem from the horses point of view?

Good luck op.

Was this directed towards me? If so, there was no problem? The horse had been sound and competing happily for 3 years with no issues, she takes his shoes off hoping to continue a similar work load without them and has encountered nothing but problems, that she is systematically trying (and failing) to overcome. That to me says the the horse in question is more comfortable in shoes... but aparently, I'm wrong, as shoes are unhealthy.

I was lucky in that my old mare was quite comfortable unshod, similar to the OP.

 

[amandap]

Was this directed towards me?

No, it was a general comment. I would have quoted if it was directed at anyone in particular.

 

[Lady La La]

No, it was a general comment. I would have quoted if it was directed at anyone in particular.

Gotcha. Too late to edit my post now, sorry.

 

[tazzle]

You tell that to the numpty at my yard who is and I quote a "desperate barefooter" - Her horse was and always has been sound as a pound in shoes, but the local Parelli-ite has persuaded her that barefoot is a much healthier option for her horse... she has been struggling with him ever since, he will not stay sound in the amount of work she wants to do, without shoes.
Will she put shoes back on? No, because its "unhealthy"

well I suppose it depends on how the process was carried out too .... if she just whipped shoes off and expected horse to remain in the same amount of work without giving him time to acclimatise then I am not surprised. An analogy I can think of atm is like a guitar player ........ I dont but I can strum gently for a while If I attempted to do it "properly" my fingers would give me quite some pain if I persisted trying to do several hours a day right away. However if I slowly built up the time I played I am sure that in a few months I could play for a longer period of time

Do you know if the "numpty" ( your description) has folllowed advice of a trimmer / farrier etc or used boots / saught help.


It does depend on who and how re going barefoot sometimes as well as the horse.......... when B came to me I was told my by farrier ( who had been hers with her previous owners) that they had tried to take her barefoot and it had failed. With me she has been barefoot for 8 years. In her time she has been ridden quite a lot on tracks and roads and rarely needed boots.

Going barefoot / unshod can be easy all the way, it can be easy going at first but once the "feeling" / spring grass / harder work ( too soon from sometimes over confidence) sets it one needs to provide more support ....... or it can be a slow process.



I dont think anyone has ever said it is "mystical" jsr ... just that anyone considering it should do it from a position of gaining the knowledge required to so something in order to do it properly. Just as one hopefully would find out how to feed a horse before one goes out and buys one . OH no. .... cos guess what sometimes people dont do even that ( not diggin at anyone btw its just that as someone experienced in rescue work I know first hand that some people think you just chuck a horse / pone in a field of grass ....seeeemples ).


People ask for, and are given advice, on many topics on here from jumping position , health , feeding, wound care to conformation etc etc ...... why should advice about barefoot be viewed any different



anyway I hope OP that you and your pone continue to have a problem free transition to a state where pone has strong, comfortable feet whether they are with or without nailed on metal

 

[Lady La La]

well I suppose it depends on how the process was carried out too .... if she just whipped shoes off and expected horse to remain in the same amount of work without giving him time to acclimatise then I am not surprised. No, she's been battling for over a year with him now. She followed the advice of her friend and has her horse timmed by her barefoot trimmer.
Do you know if the "numpty" ( your description) has folllowed advice of a trimmer / farrier etc or used boots / saught help.
Yes she did, and still does.

I dont think anyone has ever said it is "mystical" jsr ... just that anyone considering it should do it from a position of gaining the knowledge required to so something in order to do it properly.
I understand this, but do you not accept that in some instances bare foot is not the best option?

People ask for, and are given advice, on many topics on here from jumping position , health , feeding, wound care to conformation etc etc ...... why should advice about barefoot be viewed any different
I wasn't aware it was?


anyway I hope OP that you and your pone continue to have a problem free transition to a state where pone has strong, comfortable feet whether they are with or without nailed on metal

As do I...

 

[JFTDWS]

You tell that to the numpty at my yard who is and I quote a "desperate barefooter" - Her horse was and always has been sound as a pound in shoes, but the local Parelli-ite has persuaded her that barefoot is a much healthier option for her horse... she has been struggling with him ever since, he will not stay sound in the amount of work she wants to do, without shoes.
Will she put shoes back on? No, because its "unhealthy"

We have a similar local nutter. My farrier used to sadly say how much he wished he could shoe the poor horse as it looked so unfit to be barefoot, hobbling around the road.

My 3 are unshod, never did anything special - the younger two came that way and I never even thought about doing anything different unless they show signs of needing it. I had the shoes taken off the old lad as I didn't want to risk him kicking my 5 year old and fracturing his leg again - no special treatment, just had them off and left him to it. He's fine, sound and happy, even on the gravel track off my yard - and has been ever since they were taken off...

 

[Janah]

I have recently gone barefoot, my boy not me. I will suck it and see. He is coping very well at the moment much to my surprise having been shod for the last 17 yrs to my knowledge.

No, he is not in hard work, time of year. I would'nt dream of leaving him in pain, just giving it a go and not to save money.

I have looked at barefoot in quite a lot of depth and hopefully, with my farriers support will work out.

Jane

 

[Changes]

Do you know anyone who would do this?

I don't and I hope if you do that you have reported them to the relevant authorities?

You did? On your now hidden blog you recorded being disowned by people you had previously worked with for what you did to a horse to try and get it barefoot?