barefoot reasurance

Chestersmummy

Chestersmummy

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Last week I decided to take the plunge and take the fronts off my gelding.
He is fed fast fibre, top chop lite and magnicalm.
He seems to have good days and bad days. Hes stopped just refusing to move when turning out but last night in the field he looked uncomfortable.
I keep doubting my decsion and that I'm not doing the right thing.
 
Firstly diet, I would add a good vit/min supplement to make sure he's getting everything such as equimins advance complete, I don't feed a chop as it's not needed.
How was he trimmed when the shoes came off? That makes a big difference, mine of mine coped bare without shoes with the farrier in charge but all fine now under a trimmer. Was any frog or sole taken off?
You may need boots:pads for the early days mytb needed them for 6 weeks but still ride in them but nothing else.
Thrush? If in doubt clean and treat.
The best thing I ever done was research research research, get as much info to help you as u can.
 
Tell iv just woken up, spelling.

Never coped barefoot with farrier in charge.
And the face I never even asked for that. Didn't know I could get that one on my mobile.
 
Whats in the magnicalm?

His feet are getting used to the fact they can feel properly again, that the blood flow and nerves arent compromised - for some of them it takes a bit of time :)

As TMG said, how was he trimmed? Pics?
 
My own horse and many client horses would, unfortuntely, be lame with that diet. There are bound to be others that would be fine, but it's worth looking at.

A week is no time at all, depending on the pathology of the hooves.

Post some photos?

Are your fields freezing over yet?
 
Don't worry - you'll have days of thinking 'oh my God what have I done' but they will be closely followed with 'this is the best thing I have ever done' :)

The first few weeks are tough. Were his feet trimmed when the shoes removed? Can you put up pics of his feet at all? Whats his grazing like?

Personally I'd get a good hoof supplement like Pro-Hoof and try to keep him moving if you can. When mine first had his shoes off he was always sorest after being stood in his stable overnight, once moving he gradually got better and the initial footiness got less and less.

I have 3 now barefoot, all were different initially but all came right with a few tweaks to their diet and management.

Pro-hoof can be bought here; http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PRO-HOOF-...t=UK_Horse_Wear_Equipment&hash=item4161ba519b
 
If your horse is refusing to move he is in pain when he moves. not a benign problem and one that is going to lead to problems and is cruel in the mean time. You need to address this in some way. Options could include only turning him out on soft surfaces he can move on, stabling him, putting shoes back on to name a few.
Regardless of whetehr 'diet' is an issue-changing it is not going to bring instant changes and turning him out when he is in pain anytime he moves is unfair.
 
I wouldn't be happy with a horse refusing to move either OP and sounds like more than a little footiness, to add to susieTs list might boots for turnout be a possibility.
 
SusieT said:
If your horse is refusing to move he is in pain when he moves. not a benign problem and one that is going to lead to problems and is cruel in the mean time. You need to address this in some way. Options could include only turning him out on soft surfaces he can move on, stabling him, putting shoes back on to name a few.
Regardless of whetehr 'diet' is an issue-changing it is not going to bring instant changes and turning him out when he is in pain anytime he moves is unfair.
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It's not often I would say this of a SusieT post, but I completely agree. I have never had a horse refuse move, that's just not right :(

My preference would be to get him onto a surface that he can manage, but I would prefer to see him shod and the diet improved in shoes first than to leave him in pain.
 
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Quite agree horse shouldn't be left in pain but I am sure OP wouldn't/isn't doing that?

Also agree boots and pads is a good option.

In the meantime nappies and duck tape could provide interim comfort.

But without more to go on it's hard to help.

eg I wouldn't be surprised if sole a bit thin and frozen/rocky ground is making things worse.

or thrush now exposed, or over trimmed etc etc etc
 
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