Barefoot success, a very happy day today.

HappyHollyDays

HappyHollyDays

3 yard cats and 2 ponies
Joined
2 November 2013
Messages
14,430
Location
On the edge of the Cotswolds
Visit site
For people who are thinking of going barefoot but are not quite sure I thought I would share my story. (sorry it's a bit long)

I have a 6 yr old WB pony who just didn't seem to be that happy or comfortable in shoes. He has a foot imbalance and suffered from intermittent bilateral lameness in the fetlocks and had a bout of mechanical founder which stumped the vet as there was no obvious reason for it. He stumbled in the field, tripped over when ridden and on several occasions I was lucky not to go over his head. After one trip which resulted in a cut knee I put leather knee boots on him which turned out to be a godsend as last December he fell badly with me and seeing the state of the boots I knew I had done the right thing.

I was quickly losing any confidence I had in in him as I felt I couldn't trust him to stay upright so last Christmas I had his shoes taken off and turned him away until the spring. In March he went back to his old owner to get him started again and in June I moved him to a new yard and started to hack him out. I found a new farrier who has done wonders for his imbalance by letting the foot sort itself out without interfering too much and I contacted Liz at the Hoof Boutique who talked me through the myriad of boots that are available. While he was still a little footy going through the transition stage he hacked out perfectly in front boots but I noticed that he was growing rather a lot of foot between trims so today with much trepidation I rode him out barefoot in front for the first time so he could self trim. Not only did he stride out and track up behind perfectly he didn't trip once or seem to notice when I had to walk him on a rocky path.

I am so pleased I persevered and didn't give up when it all seemed so difficult. 10 months ago I couldnt see myself ever riding him again with or without shoes so for anyone struggling with their horses feet at the moment and having doubts there is light at the end of the tunnel.
 
Great story :) its amazing how horses can sort themselves out given a bit of time and a nudge in the right direction!

Good luck for the future!

:)
 
woop, well done lindylou :) maybe do every other boots, not boots for a bit and then go for proper naked :). It does sometimes take a certain level of commitment which is why I generally say that it has to be your decision to try it as you need the patience :).
 
Thank you both and for the advice Ester, I was going to ride once a week without boots and see how it goes. Interestingly I kept one of his old front shoes from last year and am amazed at the difference in the shape of the hoof, the shoe fitted lengthwise however his new feet are a good cm wider at the widest point. The other thing that I am very pleased about is that he hasn't been lame since the shoes came off and he is standing so much better.
 
yup, I was only mentioning it just in case you got carried away ;) I didn't think you would but, well, just checking!
 
Lindylouanne said:
Thank you both and for the advice Ester, I was going to ride once a week without boots and see how it goes. Interestingly I kept one of his old front shoes from last year and am amazed at the difference in the shape of the hoof, the shoe fitted lengthwise however his new feet are a good cm wider at the widest point. The other thing that I am very pleased about is that he hasn't been lame since the shoes came off and he is standing so much better.
Click to expand...

It is amazing isn't it? You wouldn't think that their hooves could change so much in shape. Actually, your horse's story is similar to mine, the tripping and stumbling, using knee boots, going over his head - yes, done all that. And going without shoes altered his hoof shape amazingly and built up his hoof strength. I am positive that if mine hadn't gone without shoes and strengthened his feet, he would have by now been lame with navicular.
 
This is so encouraging -I feel like I'm fighting against the vet at the moment but I know barefoot is something I have to try for my sore girl. Just need to find a trimmer who agrees! Well done you!
 
I've started riding without boots for tarmac, but booting when I anticipate gravel and it's working well! Baby steps- and congrats on the results!! My horse is a lot happier now without shoes as well. I didn't realize how much personality was buried under constant low-grade pain.
 
Lovely update thanks for sharing. We are a few months in and have been hacking out 'ok' but he will pick his way round a stony track rather than stride through it and I feel awful but he can do it and it will be worth it. I didnt quiet appreciate it when people told me I would need so much patience but you really do dont you :(

I didnt go BF for any reason other than I wanted a better life for my boy. Riding for us is now a Sat and Sunday frustratingly so we will muddle through winter and I cant wait to get cracking next year :)
 
Brilliant update - we also had lots of tripping, leg loosing - diagnosed with navicular in June and chose shoes off rather than bar shoes and pads.

Not been easy - done LOADS of in hand walking with boots, but last two weeks have managed two barefoot walks in hand around the block (no boots)- 50 mins each and a couple of times on horsewalker (concrete base) with no boots. No tripping/leg loosing barefoot, bit of leg loosing with boots and pads - which is odd!!

Today managed the route over the very uneven solid lumpy gravel bits to his stable - no ouchiness at all - we have a long way to go, but posts like yours make it all worth while!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top