Barefoot transition thread/journal

[Mule]

That is what mine is doing. In on a thick bed at night and on the arena all day. No rutted ground at all. She is walking out in hand for 40 minutes 3 times a week and doing some lungeing 2 or 3 times a week too. To get to the turnout we have an area of pea gravel.

Last year, when mum had her fall and was ill, she was turned away and shoes pulled so I could deal with what needed dealing with. She came back into work at Xmas and remained without shoes until March time. With increased hacking and doing BS she was OK, but was feeling the area between the collecting ring and competition ring, so had fronts only. Then I wanted to go XC, so had backs too.

This year, mum is again unwell so yet again the shoes have come off and I am taking pressure off myself to sort out life. This time, with only a few months shod over the summer, her feet have been so much better. Better shape, better strength, no softness, so far no soreness (shoes off end September). Last year her frogs were over growing, this year they are perfect.

I am starting riding again over the Xmas holidays, if life has eased off, and hopefully she will be seamless back to proper work.

What I am trying to say is, that if you need to re-shoe over summer, it is still worth trying again once the ground softens next year for winter and you will be riding less. 2nd time round you would be in a much better position to start with, with stronger feet that are already better formed.

I'm sorry about your mum. It's encouraging to hear that you can shoe for a period of time without undoing the progress the hooves have made. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Mule]

Funny you say this, you hear a lot of stories about farriers who have told their clients that their horse would "never go/cope barefoot".

I mentioned barefoot to my farrier and said I was thinking about it, his response was something along the lines of "Yes do it! I've been wanting to say this for a while." He's been super supportive and even helped me measure for hoof boots.

My vet on the other hand..."oooooh hmmmm well that's not a good idea..."

I find vets tend to be very out of date about hooves. I've had vets suggest certain types of shoes and pads that had my farrier looking very uneasy.

 

[Mule]

I took new pictures today. I walked him over cavaletti and brought him for a stroll on a hard and slightly uneven surface. It's similar to the tyoe if surface where we often hack (albeit, less rutted)

I also did carrot stretches. I hadn't done them in ages and was expecting him to be very stiff. He was unusually flexible Whether that's related to him having his shoes off or not, I don't know. I think the hoof walls have worn a lot more evenly than in the previous photos. They looked very uneven from left to right on each individual hoof. They no longer do I will be sure to do the stretches after his next trim in order to see if there is a change.

The original photos that I took a month ago, just after he came out of shoes are at this link; https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/threads/trouble-with-finding-hoof-boots.782447/

Anyway, his hooves definitely look different to me. His frogs are shedding. The frogs look a bit plumper too. As expected, his hoof walls are longer. I thought the nail holes were gone but they are still growing out. I think his collateral grooves look deeper but that couldn't have happened in such a short space of time so I'm not sure what I'm seeing there.

He is perfect walking around now. His trot is a bit flat but I'm not surprised by that. I'm happy with how he was walking on the hard, uneven surface where we went for a walk.

The most interesting thing for me is definitely the even wear of the hoof wall. Judging by his increased suppleness when doing carrot stretches, it's quite possible this would transfer to ridden work, which potentially could mean the end of his one- sidedness. What does everyone else think of the photos?

Left fore



I don't have a side view of his left fore.

Right fore




Right hind

*See the apex of the frog is gone.


I have a side view of both hinds but I managed to delete the photo of the underneath of his left hind.

 

[Mule]

These photos show the difference in the wear of the hoof walls. Here's a picture of his right fore today:



His right fore a month ago

His left fore today:

His left fore a month ago:

His right hind today:

His right hind a month ago:

 

[Mule]

Did more carrot stretches today. He's suddenly turned in to a contortionist! It must be the removal of the shoes and the resulting even hoof wear as nothing else has changed. Also walked him in hand on the uneven surface and over cavaletti. He's walking happily.

 

[Mule]

The beast has been barefoot for 6.5 weeks now. Over the last week or so he is a bit more sensitive than he had been. I'm no longer bringing him out on the driveway because he's very uncomfortable there. His walk looks a bit odd, even on the sand surface. I'm not sure but I think he's landing toe first. It looks different than normal anyway. I don't know why this would have changed? Is it something to worry about??

The good news is that he's become even more flexible when doing his carrot stretches. He no longer lifts a leg or shifts his weight to do the stretch. He can even do ones that he was physically unable to come near to doing before.

The increased flexibility has been the most surprising thing for me. It explains the problems he was having when I'd ask him to use himself correctly. He always loved to jump but his attitude was very different when it came to flatwork.

I had recently come to believe that his one sided stiffness and difficulty with flexion was a physical problem that wouldn't be fixed just by schooling. I had him booked in for x-rays to try to figure out what the problem was but circumstances intervened and I ended up taking off his shoes first. It was lucky too because I couldn't see a vet suggesting that removing his shoes would help. Another thing was that he always required a lot of work when the physio came. The physio always found asymmetries in his body. The reason seems obvious now that I know his hooves were so unbalanced.

Another interesting thing is that his uneven heels haven't re -set themselves yet so I wonder what effect it will have on his body when they do? Should I expect a dressage loving mule

 

[Mule]

The above post is really long. Basically, he is now our of shoes 6 and a half weeks. He is more sensitive and I think he is landing toe first. I'm unsure why that is and am wondering should I be concerned?

The good news is he has become even more flexible and I've realised that schooling problems we had, including asymmetry and general stiffness were due to his hooves bearing his weight unevenly. No wonder the poor thing disapproved of dressage, it all seems so obvious now.

 

[alibali]

The above post is really long. Basically, he is now our of shoes 6 and a half weeks. He is more sensitive and I think he is landing toe first. I'm unsure why that is and am wondering should I be concerned?
.

I'm no expert but have heard anecdotally that some horses do very well for the first 6 weeks or so out of shoes then seem to get more tender at around 6 weeks. The general advice I've seen has been not to panic, use hoof boots where necessary to keep them comfortable and it's a stage they pass through before coming good again. Hopefully someone more experienced than I at transitioning will be along shortly with further reassurance!

 

[Mule]

I'm no expert but have heard anecdotally that some horses do very well for the first 6 weeks or so out of shoes then seem to get more tender at around 6 weeks. The general advice I've seen has been not to panic, use hoof boots where necessary to keep them comfortable and it's a stage they pass through before coming good again. Hopefully someone more experienced than I at transitioning will be along shortly with further reassurance!

Ah, that's a relief How long does this stage usually last? Perhaps I should see it as a sign of progress then. Unfortunately he can't wear hoof boots yet because none fit him yet due to his hoof distortions. I'm told this should change once his heels even out.

 

[Mule]

I've uploaded side X rays of his front hooves that show the medio-lateral imbalance. From what I can tell, he is landing first on the inside of both front hooves. I forgot to upload these ones before. Also, notice that his leg bones are not lined up straight with his hooves. From what I've read it seems that's the cause of the medial first hoof landing.

 

[ycbm]

I'm no expert but have heard anecdotally that some horses do very well for the first 6 weeks or so out of shoes then seem to get more tender at around 6 weeks. The general advice I've seen has been not to panic, use hoof boots where necessary to keep them comfortable and it's a stage they pass through before coming good again. Hopefully someone more experienced than I at transitioning will be along shortly with further reassurance!

It's very common, often referred to as 'coming alive' because it so much resembles numbness wearing off.

.

 

[Red-1]

It is normal for them to be a bot sore after a honeymoon period. I found that this stage lasts about 3 months, but if I have fitted hoof boots they are comfortable.

 

[Wheels]

I hope he improves soon

I dont have any practical advice as I'm new to this transitioning too but sending you good vibes

 

[Mule]

I hope he improves soon

I dont have any practical advice as I'm new to this transitioning too but sending you good vibes

Thank you

 

[HelenBack]

I've uploaded side X rays of his front hooves that show the medio-lateral imbalance. From what I can tell, he is landing first on the inside of both front hooves. I forgot to upload these ones before. Also, notice that his leg bones are not lined up straight with his hooves. From what I've read it seems that's the cause of the medial first hoof landing.View attachment 39672View attachment 39673

Are you having the hooves trimmed to help correct the imbalance or letting him sort himself out? I won't go into too much detail as this is your post but mine has had a problem with ML imbalance too and I think the trimmer I've been using has actually made things worse. I don't know now whether to get somebody else involved or just let the horse do his own thing for a while and see what happens. We're at a livery yard though so I don't know if he'll be able to wear the hooves to keep up with the growth.

 

[Mule]

Are you having the hooves trimmed to help correct the imbalance or letting him sort himself out? I won't go into too much detail as this is your post but mine has had a problem with ML imbalance too and I think the trimmer I've been using has actually made things worse. I don't know now whether to get somebody else involved or just let the horse do his own thing for a while and see what happens. We're at a livery yard though so I don't know if he'll be able to wear the hooves to keep up with the growth.

I'm letting him sort himself out. I'm new to this but I'm sure some people in the forum will be able to help. I don't know much about it but my feeling is that if the imbalance is caused by a conformational problem I'd be concerned that changing the hoof shape by trimming mightn't be helpful. If the hoof lands a certain way because it toes out, for example then I think it would be safer to let it sort itself out. One thing I keep coming across in my research is the idea that the horse grows the hoof it needs. In regards to him being able to wear his hooves without trimming, walking him on a hard surface should help.

My horse's hoof walls are already bearing weight more evenly. I think the increased flexibility in his body since his shoes were taken off may be explained by that. Even though his conformation seems to encourage L-M imbalance, taking the shoes off is helping his hooves wear more evenly. I think it might be because his sheared heels are beginning to come right.

 

[ycbm]

IF (and that's a big if for horses who can't wear boots, are still sore in boots and for some owners without enough daylight at this time of year)

then the horse will indeed put its foot into the optimum shape to suit the joints above it if it is ridden or walked on abrasive surfaces or turned out on an abrasive track system.

Most times, anyway.

It's a joy it watch it happen. I wish i'd taken photos now but my TB had a growth ring which hit the floor on one side a centimetre before it hit it on the other.

This horse was putting all his weight down the inside of his right fore, as you can see.



And after a few months, much more level, not to mention deeper, stronger and less splayed






.

 

[HelenBack]

Thank you for both of your replies, that makes sense. So at the moment I'm walking him in hand in boots for about 45 minutes to an hour. He's on a standard out by day and in at night arrangement and we don't have access to a track. I haven't done any walking without boots yet apart from going to and from the field. He's super comfortable in boots but I'm not sure he'd go that far without just yet. I can keep this routine going most days even throughout winter.

So would this be enough to allow him to self trim or do I need to be getting the boots off more for that to happen?

I find the whole balance thing very confusing I must admit. Years ago the farrier we were using then said he had a natural imbalance that she wouldn't want to tinker with. The trimmer now is adamant that his hooves must be balanced, although I gather that it is to him and not some uniform ideal. The trim he has now though I think makes him look more imbalanced than he was before!

 

[ycbm]

You need to get the boots off to self trim, but ten minutes a day on concrete or tarmac if he's happy will do to start with.

Can you ride out with them on and hop off and take them off and tie them to the saddle or put them in a backpack to ride home? I do that sometimes.
.

 

[Red-1]

I also used to ride out with boots then pull them on the way home. So,I rode most of the ride and walked in hand the last bit as I was too awkward to re-mount.

Other days I would simply do a shorter walk with no boots.

 

[HelenBack]

That sounds doable, I'll have a proper look at how he is without the boots and start to work on it. Of course the advantage of leading when time is tight is you don't have to bother with grooming beforehand!
Sounds like I might need a trimmer still at least for now, in case we're not doing enough unbooted for him to self trim. I think the key will be finding somebody who only trims what's necessary rather than doing something just for the sakes of it...

 

[Mule]

Well, I have good news. His hooves have improved again. His back hooves are actually becoming a normal shape ?They don't look as flat as a pancake anymore. They are becoming upright. I think his heels are growing back under him more, if that makes sense.

His heel bulbs have become even more even on both the fore and hind. My photo taking assistant is away for the week but I will take photos when he's back. I need the photos to have a better look at the underneath of the hooves so I can study them properly. He's also walking better than he was.

His front hooves look a bit long now but it's a month since his last trim. He is now out of his front shoes for 10 weeks and his back shoes for 9 weeks. I'm feeling very positive about it all and I'm so glad I took the shoes off

 

[Floofball]

A little update from me

Backs have been off 13 weeks now - nail holes have grown out and feet look great ??
Fronts have been off 7, they didn’t break up badly - the oldest nail holes have grown out and the last ones will be gone by the next trim when i’m Hoping to measure for boots. He’s never been footy although trot looked flat in the school for a while when I checked him on the lunge first couple of weeks. He now looks to be moving great, he feels so much sounder out on the roads (just doing 30-45 mins a couple of times a week) When I took him out yesterday he was very aware of his feet for the first time - avoiding loose stones etc - I’m thinking this is indeed his feet coming alive again ??
Really hope I can keep patient and see this through - I’ll need to up his exercise when grass starts coming through so keeping everything crossed that I’ve got the timings right!

 

[Mule]

A little update from me

Backs have been off 13 weeks now - nail holes have grown out and feet look great ??
Fronts have been off 7, they didn’t break up badly - the oldest nail holes have grown out and the last ones will be gone by the next trim when i’m Hoping to measure for boots. He’s never been footy although trot looked flat in the school for a while when I checked him on the lunge first couple of weeks. He now looks to be moving great, he feels so much sounder out on the roads (just doing 30-45 mins a couple of times a week) When I took him out yesterday he was very aware of his feet for the first time - avoiding loose stones etc - I’m thinking this is indeed his feet coming alive again ??
Really hope I can keep patient and see this through - I’ll need to up his exercise when grass starts coming through so keeping everything crossed that I’ve got the timings right!

Brilliant news and even if he stays footy for a while the boots should sort it.

 

[Wheels]

That's great winter wonder horse. How are you getting on mule?

 

[ycbm]

Watch the feed folks! My TB is rock crunching since I discovered that he has a serious intolerance to soya based feed.

.

 

[Gloi]

A long hoof wall isn't what you are wanting. I'b be starting to put a decent roll on those walls and encouraging the outside of the sole to be taking a share of the weight. It's how I like them to be anyway, let the whole foot be used.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Maybe try Hoof Armor?? I've only just started using it; I did three applications over ten days and have noticed a difference. Not sure how long it will last though.

I was going to buy this how is it to apply? And how are you finding it? My horse has gone a bit sore again on his flatter foot I am hoping this will help!

 

[Mule]

That's great winter wonder horse. How are you getting on mule?

He's improved a lot. His hooves, particularly the hinds are a lot less flat. His heels are coming back and he's walking better. He really is developing normal looking hooves
The difference is unreal.

He's due a trim soon so I might wait to take photos until then because his hooves have got long so they look flatter than they really are. I'll likely have the photos by next weekend. My idea was to take monthly photos although this month's will be over schedule, but not to worry. How is yours getting on? It's exciting isn't it

 

[Wheels]

He's improved a lot. His hooves, particularly the hinds are a lot less flat. His heels are coming back and he's walking better. He really is developing normal looking hooves
The difference is unreal.

He's due a trim soon so I might wait to take photos until then because his hooves have got long so they look flatter than they really are. I'll likely have the photos by next weekend. My idea was to take monthly photos although this month's will be over schedule, but not to worry. How is yours getting on? It's exciting isn't it

So far things are going well, I will caveat that we still have a long way to go and some days are better than others but we are back having lessons and schooling as well as hacking both with and without boots depending on what we are doing. Seedy toe and thrush and other crumbly white line issues are now resolved and the seedy toe hole and nail holes are all gone.

Will continue to monitor and see how he gets on with the now increasing workload