Hedwards
Well-Known Member
So some people may remember a couple of years ago Connie went down with concussive lami in one foot. we went through months and months of box rest, she had an imprint shoe fitted (which i believe saved her life) - into a heart bar shoe, which she has been in and has been fine. I had always believed she would remain in her heart bar to the end of her days - she has been happily sound and never really looked back. She is retired (she has only ever had front shoes on with me), and my farrier suggested last time he was out that it may be time that we considered going barefoot - he has been so pleased with the improvement in the foot, and believes the depth of the sole is at a point that it is an option.
So, even though i was pretty against it previously due to the massive improvement seen in her with her imprint and then heartbar, we're seriously considering barefoot all round. I realise there are hundreds of barefoot posts, and this is probably a bit lazy, but what pointers can people give me in preparing Connie for barefoot?
she is currently turned out at 7am and comes in at 4pm - the grazing is pretty good - its old dairy grazing so we do have to be very careful in the spring summer (the muzzle comes out), she gets a haylage net at night (excellent quality haylage) - weight wise my mind has gone blank, I want to say 8lbs but would need to look at the scales to be sure i'm thinking in the right currency (metric/imperial) - major brain fail! and is only fed TopSpec lite balancer (breakfast and dinner) - her weight wise (478kgs last time i checked with the weigh tape - which was about 15kgs out when compared to putting her on a weigh bridge)she looks fantastic - as commented by both our Vets and Farrier. She is due to be tested for cushings, and its very likely she has it - I was worried towards the end of last year there was something wrong with her, but it was decided that it was actually the really mild weather we had plus her incredibly thick coat - she seems so much happier now and gives the youngsters a run for their money in the field!
So, even though i was pretty against it previously due to the massive improvement seen in her with her imprint and then heartbar, we're seriously considering barefoot all round. I realise there are hundreds of barefoot posts, and this is probably a bit lazy, but what pointers can people give me in preparing Connie for barefoot?
she is currently turned out at 7am and comes in at 4pm - the grazing is pretty good - its old dairy grazing so we do have to be very careful in the spring summer (the muzzle comes out), she gets a haylage net at night (excellent quality haylage) - weight wise my mind has gone blank, I want to say 8lbs but would need to look at the scales to be sure i'm thinking in the right currency (metric/imperial) - major brain fail! and is only fed TopSpec lite balancer (breakfast and dinner) - her weight wise (478kgs last time i checked with the weigh tape - which was about 15kgs out when compared to putting her on a weigh bridge)she looks fantastic - as commented by both our Vets and Farrier. She is due to be tested for cushings, and its very likely she has it - I was worried towards the end of last year there was something wrong with her, but it was decided that it was actually the really mild weather we had plus her incredibly thick coat - she seems so much happier now and gives the youngsters a run for their money in the field!
.
Oasis do a straw chaff, its just getting hold of it!
