barefoot people .. a question :)

M

MrVelvet

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 May 2011
Messages
1,601
Location
North West, Lancashire
Visit site
My boy is 3, he's started his groundwork but will not be backed until next year. Then he will enjoy a fairly easy life for awhile (until I pass my trailer test haha !!), which will consist of hacking and schooling. The hacking is good but not all offroad. I would like to keep him barefoot, he is a welsh X warmblood. A good doer is an understatement, at the moment he is fed a scoop of mollichaff and half a scoop of pasture mix (just Because hes growing and the grazing is *****e).

So my question.. do I need to do anything with his feet or his feed to better my chances of him staying barefoot. Farrier has said he has super feet :).

here is a picture of the little man :)
DSC00115.jpg


very grateful for any replies :D

eta - also is there anything I need to watch out for?
 
What a pretty boy! :)

Roadwork (gradually built up) is good for barefooters, so no reason to avoid it! In fact, it will help him to seek out varied types of surfaces, and if you long-rein him, that's something you can do before backing. We have several barefoot youngsters on our yard, all of whom were long-reined extensively throughout the area. They all seem pretty chilled and confident (most of the time).

The other thing would be to keep an eye on is feet for indicators that he's affected by too much sugar in his grazing, such as growth rings or flaring. Your farrier should be able to advise you there! :)
 
Personally, I think if his feet are looking good then carry on with what you're doing. He looks great. There's no point in changing things if they're working! Our three are all unshod and only my TB gets anything 'extra' for his feet. The other two are a native and a native x and both have good feet with very little help from us (just regular trims). :)
 
oh good :) a lot less complicated than I expected! He is led out on the roads and when we're confident at long reining will be that too!

thanks :D

that book looks interesting!! I may have to purchase that!
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top