Barefoot/shoeing??!!

[nic85]

Morning all!

Just a quick question, my rising 3 yr old filly is currently not shod. She has quite hard feet that are slow growing at the moment (they grow quicker in the summer) however, with the recent dry weather she has worn her front feet down and has become footy on the path to and from her field ( think hardcore/stones to reduce mud) she is fine on hard level surface and in the field.
Im planning on backing her this year ( she is 3 in May ) and hopefully hacking out over summer obviously this is going to include roadwork to reach the bridlepaths. Even though she is ok on an even surface do you think it makes more sense to have front shoes put on? or dare I say it, hoof boots?
Answers on a postcard!

 

[Erin]

What are you feeding? She may just need some adjustments to her diet.

 

[nic85]

Hi, she is just on hay and grazing.

 

[tallyho!]

Hay and grazing might be why she is footy, once spring grass comes through I imagine she will be footier.

You may want to look at adding magnesium or copper to her diet. When my bf horse went footy, I had to muzzle for grazing in the day. I added a magnesium and copper lick to the field and footiness was no more. I started to add it to feed too with brewers yeast and it made a hell of a difference.

I too have a young filly, I can't bear thought of shoeing her so will be looking at some nice hoof boots.

What breed is she? If she has nice round feet, look at a set of Renegades.

Hope some of the other bft's come and help you out...

 

[dafthoss]

I have always found the more work mine does the more foot he grows so I woldnt give up hope just yet

 

[nic85]

Hi, thanks for the replies. I'm replying VIA my phone so it won't let me quote!
Tallyjo, she is TB x DWB, has quite round feet yes and ill have a look at some renegades just incase, thanks! Can you get a lick/supplement for the field? I can reduce amount of hay she gets as now we have a bit of rain the grass won't be long coming through.

Thanks Dafthoss, hopefully with the rain now here the grass will have more in it and her feet grow!

 

[tallyho!]

I used rockies laminshield 5kg from eBay as not many stockists. The copper I bought from local feed merchants. You can buy Rockies 5 star but prefer to keep them separate then they can choose what they need.

The whole herd must have been needing it as I hung them up near a trough where mares and geldings who were separated but could reach and they queued up for a lick!!! Hilarious. We all noticed a reduction in mud fever too.

I also feed herbs in summer too.... Please do look at Natural Horse Supplies for useful bits n bobs xx

 

[cptrayes]

Interesting Tallyho, friends and I noticed a reduction in mud fever on horses supplemented with copper and magnesium. What copper do you buy?

OP definitely feed magnesium, it affects use of insulin and sensitivity of nerves. I also strongly recommend yeast. I have three horses and two are footy without yeast and fine with it, though I do also keep them in during the day in spring and summer.

The grass is through now, unless you live in a wilder higher colder place than me, which is unlikely in Lincolnshire. I have grass growing new at 1100 feet up. I know you have a drought over there and are short of grass, but the short stressed stuff also contains the highest sugar content.