barefoot people please advise !

[horseandshoes77]

Ok short story horses where having time off in winter so decided to remove both the dales(did same thing last year with no probs) and my youngster (rising 5 in light work only had 3 sets of shoes in her life)

Well as I have 3 horses and struggle to find help they all are not worked that hard so have decided to maybe go down the barefoot route with them, the dales can be ridden pretty much anywhere and he doesn't seem sore / footy etc, the youngster was ridden for first time today and was not too bad although a little foot on some bits which were gravel or stones(no choice when leaving yard)

So im putting picks up for what you think feet are like, wether you think this will be poss, and any recommendations on boots for youngster much appreciated.

My farrier is fab but not really into barefoot so not sure what advice he will give but will ask him next visit

I also have an ish who has always had shoes as is in higher level of work and has low heels and long toe which farrier is trying to remedy with shoeing, however I am now considering removing her shoes also.

They all have a similar diet of speedibeet with handful pony nuts, multi-vitamin sup along with brewers yeast, inseed oil and magnesium.

Any advice much appreciated.

dales pics

the youngsters feet

and finally for anyone not asleep!! the shod horse

 

[horseandshoes77]

Anyone !! took ages to load them pics lol

 

[weebarney]

Hello I don't know enough to advise on the pics but I would say give them plenty time to adjust to the new sensations in their feet. If you can imagine what it would be like to go out walking yourself with no shoes, it would take some getting used to and time needed to toughen your feet.

 

[tallyho!]

Great hooves on the dales... Youngster has weak frogs and back of heels still. If you want to continue with no shoes, buy her a set of hoof boots £80 ish and will last well over two years. She needs the stimulation but if sore, no point. The boots will give stimulation and protection at the same time.

The shod horse has very short toes. Not sure what farrier is trying to do there... Probably bring breakover back. The soles are quite thin. Again, get boots for this one if you want to go shoeless. They will shape up and strengthen in no time once shoes are removed but its up to you.

 

[wellsat]

Feet all look nice. I'd consider treating for thrush if they re feeling their feet as frogs look a little thrushy, not surprising given the weather we've had.

 

[TwoStroke]

Top pics look smashing. The youngsters are pretty good too - the fronts could do with a beefier caudal hoof, but still pretty good. The shod pics aren't too bad, but the caudal hoof does look very weak. I'd say some time out of shoes would do him the world of good.

It's a funny thing, that barefoot is often a choice made for horses that aren't in much work, as actually feet get better the more work they get, providing the horse is comfortable. Ime keeping a horse barefoot is so much easier when it's in medium level work or above. So crack on

 

[horseandshoes77]

Hi
Thanks for the replies...kind of knew the dales must have good feet as he hasn't noticed he has no shoes on lol, the youngster well I knew she would need boots which is no probs I will order some as she was footy today, the main worry I have is the ish who is shod as iv never had her barefoot but shes my competition horse !.. so I know deep down she would benefit with no shoes in the long term.. will I have to sacrifice our lifestyle (so to speak) if I decide to remove shoes.. shes my main worry.

Also can I ask a really stupid question but having never bought used hoof boots how do I measure would it be longest and widest part of foot?

also on trimming...when they were barefoot last winter farrier came round dec after shoes had been off 5 weeks and all were fine..then he trimmed and they were a little footsore so what should I be asking him to do on visits... and will I need him to trim or wil they trim as they ride ?

Believe it or not I am going through barefoot threads as we speak lol

 

[horseandshoes77]

well either all the barefoot people have emigrated or im doing something wrong...I thought with all the indepth pics and info I might get a bit of advice but I guess not !

thanks for replies thus far

 

[cptrayes]

Also can I ask a really stupid question but having never bought used hoof boots how do I measure would it be longest and widest part of foot?

Personally I would wait and see if you actually need them. One, they are expensive. Two, feet very often change size quite quickly and you could end up with a new set of boots you can't use. Three, lots of horses never need them.

also on trimming...when they were barefoot last winter farrier came round dec after shoes had been off 5 weeks and all were fine..then he trimmed and they were a little footsore so what should I be asking him to do on visits...

Ask him not to trim any sole callous, not to trim the frog. The horses should not have been sore after a trim, he did something wrong. If you do enough roadwork they won't need trimming at all.

 

[horseandshoes77]

cptrayes... thanks just what I was looking for, im very new to this and reading loads but chewed to bits about farrier coming and undoing any progress we have made so have noted your comments, its such a big deal for me as I have 3 ver different horses, but I would really like them all to go barefoot!

should I measure for hoof boots asap as youngster seemed footy today? as I don't really want any trimming done yet but would like to ride.. or do they need to be measured when trimmed

sorry for the overload of questions just don't want to prematurely shoe my youngster out of frustration but she needs to be worked..she is a very good doer and gains weight on fresh air when not worked !

 

[Gloi]

Yes, measure for hoof boots but have a look around for second hand ones as her feet will probably change shape. If you get second hand ones you can usually sell them again as your horse's feet change and in that way it won't cost you as much.