barefoot probs,somethings just not right??

potto said:
Shoes don't fix thrush, nobody is suggesting that they do.. but they do help a horse and rider continue with performance in some instances rather than extended periods of discomfort and timeoff or boots of course.
Click to expand...

If continuing to ride is an issue then surely boots would be the better choice as they do no damage but can help the problem by providing stimulation to the frog, whereas all shoes will do is mask the discomfort and there is a risk that the horse takes a backwards step in other regards.
 
tallyhohoho! said:
Oh right. So, doesn't matter about the horse's health then? Better we continue to compete and forget about any problems the horse has which we should sort first. We can always sort it out when the horse is COMPLETELY lame.

I like the logic. Genius.
Click to expand...


On the contrary I believe very strongly it does matter about the horses health and welfare and that it should not be left suffering in discomfort for long periods of time. I do not believe shoes need necessarily be a long term fix especially as their are glue on ones etc now, just as barefoot is necessary the ideal in all situations either. I believe we have to manage what the horse is telling us in any given situation and adapt to meet both of our needs. I do not want to get into an argument, as i am not against barefoot at all or shoeing or booting in fact i would do any of them in any given situation to meet the needs of any equine, my primary choice being barehoofed given the ideal circumstance...
 
potto said:
I believe we have to manage what the horse is telling us in any given situation and adapt to meet both of our needs.
Click to expand...

Competing for personal gain is not a "need" in my book. Sorry.

I believe in compromise but not for my own selfish pursuits. If a horse is in pain due to injury or illness then I'm afraid those sorts of needs go out the window.
 
jackessex said:
just hacking never been sore before does approx 1hr 5x wk mainly gravel tracks and tarmac,great feet tight white line self trimming............He is now really struggling on difficult gravel surface and really feels odd stones on tarmac,so as much as i dont want to im thinking of shoeing him :( :(
Click to expand...

You could be describing my horse here, exactly the same thing has happened to him. Barefoot for 6 years and now this :(
Don't think mine has thrush tho as doesn't smell at all and no gunk, but frogs are shedding and ragged looking.
I'm keeping mine in at night now and being meticulous about hygiene, don't know what else to try. Won't shoe him though, we'll find a way round it somehow.
 
Last edited:
tallyhohoho! said:
Competing for personal gain is not a "need" in my book. Sorry.

I believe in compromise but not for my own selfish pursuits. If a horse is in pain due to injury or illness then I'm afraid those sorts of needs go out the window.
Click to expand...

On this point we agree then...but i don't see the point in prolonging the injury, pain or illness to be evangelical either when a combined approach might actually improve the situation or at least a little 'thinking out of the box'... I see you homed in on my suggestion of shoe's but i also suggested a possible move from the environment the horse was in... and boots if the diet was right.

Also assuming that pursuits are selfish?

Which is an interesting viewpoint, you also suggest competing etc. I guess this is true, In reality most of us wouldn't have horses if we couldn't ride and enjoy them our own individual way, and bare foot is not a cheap or easy option. It would be nice to think that a lot of horses can enjoy positive healthy relationships with their owners/handlers and enjoy jobs that they do and look forward to activities they carry out together. If they don't then that also would suggest to me something that might need looking into, long before any physical symptoms are evident bare hoofed, booted or shod.

Not forgetting of course that one of the best things for a horse's health all round is to be exercised and be active and while it is uncomfortable or reluctant to use its feet it will not be doing this enough even by itself one of the biggest pitfalls and contradictions of the barehoof experience unfortunately.
 
potto said:
On this point we agree then...but i don't see the point in prolonging the injury, pain or illness to be evangelical either when a combined approach might actually improve the situation or at least a little 'thinking out of the box'... I see you homed in on my suggestion of shoe's but i also suggested a possible move from the environment the horse was in... and boots if the diet was right.

Also assuming that pursuits are selfish?

Which is an interesting viewpoint, you also suggest competing etc. I guess this is true, In reality most of us wouldn't have horses if we couldn't ride and enjoy them our own individual way, and bare foot is not a cheap or easy option. It would be nice to think that a lot of horses can enjoy positive healthy relationships with their owners/handlers and enjoy jobs that they do and look forward to activities they carry out together. If they don't then that also would suggest to me something that might need looking into, long before any physical symptoms are evident bare hoofed, booted or shod.

Not forgetting of course that one of the best things for a horse's health all round is to be exercised and be active and while it is uncomfortable or reluctant to use its feet it will not be doing this enough even by itself one of the biggest pitfalls and contradictions of the barehoof experience unfortunately.
Click to expand...

No, things are much simpler than this in real life, in my experience, but you go ahead and wallow in your contradictions :)
 
Apologies Jackessex for detour of discussion on your thread, loads of helpful suggestions listed by posters though. I would be interested in hearing the outcome and how you get on and wish you the all the best with whatever course of action you decide to follow with your current blip.
 
potto said:
Apologies Jackessex for detour of discussion on your thread, loads of helpful suggestions listed by posters though. I would be interested in hearing the outcome and how you get on and wish you the all the best with whatever course of action you decide to follow with your current blip.
Click to expand...

Thankyou potto,allways the same with these barefoot threads unfortunatly :( The horse is currently having time out as im confined to house with my 3 yr old son who has flu :(
As soon as supps get here i will start him and let everyone know if he improves
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top