Barefoot taking the plunge - **UPDATE**

snopuma

snopuma

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Okay so the shoes are off, Indy hobbled back to her stable (it really wasn't that bad) left her for half an hour and popped her new boots on (cavallos) so then turn her and Clint out, off she popped wandered out over the rough ground following her usual smooth path that she has made, ate a little grass then seemed to have a lightbulb moment and wanted a drink, she always wanders back to the trough on her smooth path, but today she took the short route and wandered straight across the rough rutted and dryed winter mud to the trough, sound as a pound , and looked really happy!

I have kept the shoes, they are already too big! despite telling farrier to not trim the frog/sole/or toe callous so how stretched was the laminae to reach that shoe?

Will take photos and measurements and keep a little diary for the start of this as from tonight, farrier is coming back in 4 weeks for a little light manicure (his words) and then she'll be on six weekly trims with me doing touch-ups in between!

She actually looks really cute in her boots and its a weight off my mind that she is happy to wear them!
 
Ok so here is the latest....

After 3 days of 'shoes off' I am back to riding!

She is so comfortable that I decided to start some gentle exercise, so 10 mins on the lunge just in walk and then popped on board for another 10 mins yesterday and today!

So, this is what I have noticed > Indy has an amazing walk, now I knew when I bought her last year she has a really massive overtrack, hind legs that march effortlessly, she over tracks just coming in from the field, its a real walk for 10! BUT the front never matched up nothing magic to notice, nice enough, but NOW - WOW!!! Oh my she is doing an extended walk on her own on the lunge, and when I popped on what a feeling, really swinging!

So, I am going to stick to walk for a while, and really minimise the lungeing, its going to take a long time all this but its so worth it, she is so much happier and she feels great, so just taking it by day by day and gently with boots for turnout until she looks like she could handle a day out proper barefoot.

I can't quite believe that I am on board so quickly, I had thought we would have 6 weeks off and she would be pottering round even in boots, she had also started a weird new habit of licking my face like a salt lick when she goes into her stable, I am taking this as a thank you from her (what else could it be!)
 
Excellent news! I'm also experiencing really good stuff with my TB mare going barefoot and we also use Cavallos, although I only use them for hacking, not turnout. My girl was written off by my own vet and hospital vets and is now back hacking out in her boots. The past few days I've been having to do bits of trot to get her past her nappy episodes and she's feeling great!
I hope you continue to progress well. Keep us updated!
 
Sometimes they take a backwards step after a few days. The theory is that the circulation and nerves start to regenerate and it can make them sore. After 2 weeks you should be safe and free. Just take it easy at first. Even if she feels fine.
But it sounds like she'll do fine :)
 
snopuma said:
she had also started a weird new habit of licking my face like a salt lick when she goes into her stable, I am taking this as a thank you from her (what else could it be!)
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:D

Looking good and what a great attitude you have. Onwards and upwards. x
 
WELL DONE !! :D

You will begin to see so many changes in the hooves from now on. I cannot recommend highly enough this little rasp to keep the feet in shape. I use it once a week, and following the instructions (and video on Utube), my farrier says it's really a fab gadget. keeps the hooves well rounded and balanced and stops and cracks.


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Riders-Ra...StableAccessories_SM&var=&hash=item3a75517cf8
 
Thats good news, glad you are getting on well with the cavallos, they are a godsend, my boy is currently turned out in his as he had an abscess , they are great for protecting feet, he loves them and they stand up well to his tearing about!
Hope it goes well for you, keep us updated!
 
Yes I have a riders rasp! its brililant, have used it may times for in between trims on my WB who went barefoot 5 years ago, it also gets borrowed by many people at the yard, only hope that one day they will buy their own!
 
snopuma said:
she had also started a weird new habit of licking my face like a salt lick when she goes into her stable, I am taking this as a thank you from her (what else could it be!)
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Has she got as salt lick? I have a very vague recollection that when I took the shoes off my first two they went mad for a salt lick, and when I blogged about it other people said the same. It sounds mad I know, and I've lost access to that blog now so I can't check and I may just be going madder than usual :D

I'm so pleased for you that you are seeing good results already.
 
cptrayes said:
Has she got as salt lick? I have a very vague recollection that when I took the shoes off my first two they went mad for a salt lick, and when I blogged about it other people said the same. It sounds mad I know, and I've lost access to that blog now so I can't check and I may just be going madder than usual :D

I'm so pleased for you that you are seeing good results already.
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OMG!!!! Yes she has had a salt lick in her stable since last summer (hardly touched) and I had noticed that this week she has gone mad for it!!! thought it was just coincidence but clearly there is something in this! what can it be that makes them crave salt?
 
Okay so heres my dilemma...

My two are moving fields tomorrow to a smaller field, some grass not loads! and its hilly, last time my WB was in this field in boots he fell over as his boots slipped on the hill as he set off a pace, also Indy has never been in this field, so I am tempted to leave boots off and see how she goes, but am terrified that she will be unsound! the gound is mixed hard/soft/squelchy and we won't have to go over gravel to get there just down the hill, so

Plan A > Turn them out Indy in boots, stay and watch she's okay

Plan B > Turn out without boots and watch and put boots on if she looks uncomfortable

Plan C > Turn out without boots and watch but then see how she is at the end of the day

So what should I do? We are only a week into barefoot and she is fine with boots, but I am worried that she will fall or slip badly and also that she will be very sore without boots, talk about the devil and the deep blue sea!
 
Can you press the sole in with your thumb or is it solid?
If the sole is paper thin and flexible - protect them. If they are OK then go bare.
Most horses are fine bf in the field. Only really sick, paper thin soled, lame ones need boots for turnout to prevent bruising and abscessing to the soles.
 
Oberon said:
Can you press the sole in with your thumb or is it solid?
If the sole is paper thin and flexible - protect them. If they are OK then go bare.
Most horses are fine bf in the field. Only really sick, paper thin soled, lame ones need boots for turnout to prevent bruising and abscessing to the soles.
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Thank Oberon!

I shall do the thumb test then!

Your help is brilliant, will get the camera out this weekend and post some pics of both my horses feet!

thank you sooooo much for your help!
 
re riders rasp - my farrier is so impressed with it, he says Shy doesn't need trimming any more than every 12 weeks, and even then I can stretch it if needs be.

I sit on a stool to use it, resting Shy's leg on my thigh, as standing breaks your back, and really work with it until the hooves are even again. He's slightly pigeon toed, so one corner doesn't wear down that much.

If anyone wants any help with it, PM me - it took me a while to get into the swing with it. xx
 
:) I am so pleased for you. Looking forward to seeing pictures!

I've just ordered some G2's for my daughters pony so I can ride him over summer to keep his weight down ( she's at uni ) His names Turbo (help, he hasn't been ridden since December ) wish me luck, he's only 12.3hh but needs must to prevent the dreaded "L"
 
Okay so we have hit a problem, now that the fields are soaked, madam is still wearing her boots, skidding about in the mud! she came in lame last night, heat in one foot only, the foot that has made the least changes, other foot has already started some concavity about 3 credit cards depth, lame foot still flat as a pancake,this foot was more mishapen when the shoes came off 2 weeks ago and has an out flare, twice i have whizzed round with the rasp, just tidying as the nails hole mess grows down, I looks to me more of a strained fetlock lugging heavy muddy boots around in the mud so I am tempted to turn her out for a couple of hours in the nude (barefoot nude!) just to see if that helps?

But, I am worried I will make it worse, should I leave her in for a couple of days? Turn her out in boots? Bute her? ARGH What to do?????

The Moose has also gone footy so I guess it could be the change of field? the wetness? the hilly field???

Have also been researching and am thinking of changing onto the following feeds>

Coolstance Copra
Fast Fibre

and the supplements she already gets

Pro-Copper
Magnitude
and NAF Biotin

is this okay? or should I ditch these supplements and feed micronised linseed/Equimins Meta Balance instead?

Oberon come to my rescue xxx
 
snopuma said:
Okay so we have hit a problem, now that the fields are soaked, madam is still wearing her boots, skidding about in the mud! she came in lame last night, heat in one foot only, the foot that has made the least changes, other foot has already started some concavity about 3 credit cards depth, lame foot still flat as a pancake,this foot was more mishapen when the shoes came off 2 weeks ago and has an out flare, twice i have whizzed round with the rasp, just tidying as the nails hole mess grows down, I looks to me more of a strained fetlock lugging heavy muddy boots around in the mud so I am tempted to turn her out for a couple of hours in the nude (barefoot nude!) just to see if that helps?

But, I am worried I will make it worse, should I leave her in for a couple of days? Turn her out in boots? Bute her? ARGH What to do?????

The Moose has also gone footy so I guess it could be the change of field? the wetness? the hilly field???

Have also been researching and am thinking of changing onto the following feeds>

Coolstance Copra
Fast Fibre

and the supplements she already gets

Pro-Copper
Magnitude
and NAF Biotin

is this okay? or should I ditch these supplements and feed micronised linseed/Equimins Meta Balance instead?

Oberon come to my rescue xxx
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OP I think you have answered your question yourself. There has been a change in field and Moose has gone footy. So it is extremely likely your rehab is not coping with the new field. You have to find a strategy to manage this. Go back to old field, strip graze, muzzle - whatever is going to work for your horse.

Good luck and only change one thing at a time or you won't know what is working.
 
If the boots are making it dangerous (slipping and straining) then try without.

Obviously vet if you think there is a new issue. Bute only if vet says so. Otherwise you risk her feeling well enough to razz around and do more damage.

The META Balance has copper, magnesium (Magnitude), biotin and (I think) linseed already. Might be more cost effective?
 
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