Barefoot on roads!!

[canteron]

My horse is just coming back into work after being lame. I want to ride her out for a couple of weeks to check she remains sound before getting her shod.

My short hacking route of about 2 miles is half road and half track - all taken at a pleasant walk (well thats the plan!). Riding say every other day. Is this going to damage her feet (they are good feet).

 

[alsxx]

Roads are generally fine providing the surface is smooth with no loose little chippings....but what is the track surface like? If its stoney she's probably going to find it hard work and be 'footy'. Shouldn't necessarily damage the feet, but could well cause some bruising to the soles.

 

[canteron]

Ah ha alsxx very good point. May have to rethink where we ride.

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

you could try hoof boots too. Or stick to verges if you can.

 

[jesterfaerie]

Or you could also try Vettec Soul Guard if changing your route is not an option.

 

[cptrayes]

If your roads are top dressed with grit and your tracks at all stony, you should just bite the bullet and get your mare shod if you want her back in serious work. I understand that you want to see if she stays sound first, but to be honest you are risking laming her by maybe doing more work without shoes than her feet are ready for. Particularly if she has been stood around in a stable or a paddock doing not much for a while.

If you intended to keep her shoeless that's different altogether, when work on smooth tarmac is one of the very best things you can do to build good hard, fast-growing feet.

If you can borrow boots that fit, and she can wear them, then that might be a good option, but buying a set would set you back over £200.

 

[CarolineStern]

If your horse has has a foot lamess problem, hacking out without shoes could potentially create foot problems again. With the weather now changing the feet will be naturally softer and road work and stoney tracks will potentially cause more risk of lameness returning and brusing will be much greater. A good set of shoes would be a safer bet. Hope that helps

 

[wildpoppywild]

i ride pop barefoot, she's totally fine on well tarred smooth roads

but if theres a nice grassy verge i still stick to tht instead, our tracks can be quite stoney and actually find them more of a threat