Barefoot transition thread/journal

[Mule]

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

How are the boots working out? Are they staying on?

 

[Wheels]

Oh yes, they're fab. They have meant that I can hack further and start some canter work in the school way earlier than I would have been able to without them. The horse and his feet have thrived due to their use

 

[Mule]

Oh yes, they're fab. They have meant that I can hack further and start some canter work in the school way earlier than I would have been able to without them. The horse and his feet have thrived due to their use

I'm going to re measure mine for hoof boots in about a month. His heel bulbs are almost completely even now, so in a month they will hopefully be fine. The main problem with finding boots to fit was his uneven heel bulbs so I'm more enthusiastic about our chances now.

 

[Wheels]

That's great mule, I'm sure you'll find something to suit

 

[Mule]

That's great mule, I'm sure you'll find something to suit

I hope so, I'm a lot more optimistic about it. He's come on so much it's worth it, even if I can't find boots I'll wait until he's able to be ridden without them.

 

[Mule]

Ok we're now on week 12. There have been big changes. His hinds in particular are growing upright. They are no longer pancake flat, we actually have angles! They are growing under him rather than forward and flat. The farrier is seriously impressed!
As usual, the hooves could be cleaner (particularly the left hind)

Right fore underneath


Right fore side


Left fore underneath



Left fore side


Left hind underneath ?(there seems to be a bit chipped off the side wall)


Left hind side



Right hind underneath


Right hind side (look at that angle!)

 

[ycbm]

Well done you! great improvement and they're not finished yet either, even better already growing in.

.

 

[Mule]

Well done you! great improvement and they're not finished yet either, even better already growing in.

.

It's so exciting I'm really pleased with the hinds. Do you notice there's a lot of, I'm not sure that it's concavity but more space? around the frog areas.

 

[ycbm]

Everything is improving, but looking at the tops rather than the bottoms theres a much, much stronger foot coming down

 

[Mule]

Everything is improving, but looking at the tops rather than the bottoms theres a much, much stronger foot coming down

I'll sound a bit clueless now but, what should I look for at the tops?

 

[Mule]

Here's a (very hairy) face to go with the hooves?

 

[Floofball]

Gosh, he grows a coat doesn’t he! ? backs are looking so much better ?? If you draw a line following the the hoof angle from the coronet on the fronts you can see the angle the hoof will be - I’ll try and have a go but I’m not very techy ?

 

[Floofball]

Disclaimer! I’m not an expert in marking up hoof photos ? Something like this - red line follows hoof from bottom up and yellow from the top down - it’s just to give you an idea of what others can see re the hoof growing. It’s great your keeping such a good record of things ??

 

[Mule]

View attachment 40851

Disclaimer! I’m not an expert in marking up hoof photos ? Something like this - red line follows hoof from bottom up and yellow from the top down - it’s just to give you an idea of what others can see re the hoof growing. It’s great your keeping such a good record of things ??

Oh wow, I like the look of that yellow line! I can't wait till he's marching about showing off his new hooves to everyone

 

[Mule]

I measured the beast for hoof boots yesterday. I sent photos to urban horse and the hoof boutique for advice. I first sent them photos just after his shoes had been removed but because his hoof bulbs were so uneven no boot would be likely to stay on. Now that his heel bulbs are more even I'm hoping that I can find a pair that will fit ?

 

[tda]

I measured the beast for hoof boots yesterday. I sent photos to urban horse and the hoof boutique for advice. I first sent them photos just after his shoes had been removed but because his hoof bulbs were so uneven no boot would be likely to stay on. Now that his heel bulbs are more even I'm hoping that I can find a pair that will fit ?

I have used Scoot boots, they are pretty flexible and forgiving for fit.
The hooves are growing really well, I'd be very happy with them x

 

[Mule]

I have used Scoot boots, they are pretty flexible and forgiving for fit.
The hooves are growing really well, I'd be very happy with them x

Thanks

 

[Mule]

Hi everyone, I'm feeling a bit discouraged. Since the beast has been barefoot he is always the last to come in for his feed. He also no longer plays with the other gelding. I have spent time watching him in the field recently and have seen that he is still uncomfortable walking barefoot. This is on clay soil, in winter so it is a very soft surface. When he's not comfortable walking on such a forgiving surface three months after having his shoes off, I'm afraid that he may never be.

His hooves look so much better but his original x-rays show miniscule sole thickness. He is on pro forage balancer, isn't eating grain, lives out 24/7 and spends time on concrete and sand daily so his diet and environment are good. The thing is that he is comfortable in shoes but they aren't conducive to him having healthy hooves. His heel bulbs were uneven in shoes, he was very one-sided when ridden, possibly because of this. He is equally supple on both sides since removing the shoes. I can see this when doing carrot stretches. When shod, his hooves grew forward and flat rather than down.

As positive as all the changes are, it makes me very uneasy that he isn't even field sound. I really don't know if he ever will be. I am going to measure him for hoof boots again soon but how realistic is riding going to be? I'm wondering will he be be unsound to be ridden even in boots? On the rockley blog they are able to ride the horses even without boots after this length of time. Some of those horses have been brought there as a last option. When they can go sound within that time period I don't understand why mine isn't. What does everyone here think?

 

[Red-1]

I think that out 24/7 on clay in this wet winter, it is not surprising that his sole is not hard and strong. It has been awful. His feet do look a much better shape and if it were me, I would delay shoeing until the new angles are down a bit further.

Mine have, for the past few years, done several months in winter barefoot, and TBH we have barely had to alter their work pattern. BUT they have been on a dry bed at night, and turned in an arena in the day. I also use hoof preparations so can kind of control how dry/flexible the hoof is.

As he is doing so well in hoof shape, I would consider stabling overnight on a dry bed. Walking on the road is king to hoof health, and as long as it is smooth tarmac, starting with 100m and working up from there, it is generally well tolerated even with horses who have weak feet. Now you can get boots to fit, I would do that. The Cavallos are very accommodating for walk type exercise. I would start the walking on the road in boots, and gradually take them off for the last part of the walk.

In your last photos the frogs look thrushy. Frogs should be smooth, not pitted. I would suspect thrush plays a big part in his comfort. I don't think you will get ontop of it when out 24/7 in this weather. When bringing in overnight, I would start with a Cleantrax soak. Trim the frog of ragged/pitted bits first.

As an emergency measure I will mix old fashioned hoof oil and liquid tar and use daily as this does dry and harden the frogs. The bed must be clean and dry. As soon as the frogs don't change overnight I would cease the use of this, as it is very harsh. When the thrush s active you will find that the pits/grooves grow overnight. When it is not active, it stays the same. I always dry brush the feet morning and night, get into every crevice. That way you know if a crevice is growing and can treat straight away.

If he is uncomfortable in the field, something needs to be done, and that is what I would do.

 

[Mule]

I think that out 24/7 on clay in this wet winter, it is not surprising that his sole is not hard and strong. It has been awful. His feet do look a much better shape and if it were me, I would delay shoeing until the new angles are down a bit further.

Mine have, for the past few years, done several months in winter barefoot, and TBH we have barely had to alter their work pattern. BUT they have been on a dry bed at night, and turned in an arena in the day. I also use hoof preparations so can kind of control how dry/flexible the hoof is.

As he is doing so well in hoof shape, I would consider stabling overnight on a dry bed. Walking on the road is king to hoof health, and as long as it is smooth tarmac, starting with 100m and working up from there, it is generally well tolerated even with horses who have weak feet. Now you can get boots to fit, I would do that. The Cavallos are very accommodating for walk type exercise. I would start the walking on the road in boots, and gradually take them off for the last part of the walk.

In your last photos the frogs look thrushy. Frogs should be smooth, not pitted. I would suspect thrush plays a big part in his comfort. I don't think you will get ontop of it when out 24/7 in this weather. When bringing in overnight, I would start with a Cleantrax soak. Trim the frog of ragged/pitted bits first.

As an emergency measure I will mix old fashioned hoof oil and liquid tar and use daily as this does dry and harden the frogs. The bed must be clean and dry. As soon as the frogs don't change overnight I would cease the use of this, as it is very harsh. When the thrush s active you will find that the pits/grooves grow overnight. When it is not active, it stays the same. I always dry brush the feet morning and night, get into every crevice. That way you know if a crevice is growing and can treat straight away.

If he is uncomfortable in the field, something needs to be done, and that is what I would do.

Thank you, I'll do this x
ps, what do I use to trim the frogs? Should I also try to harden the soles?

 

[Wheels]

Sorry you're having problems - it's difficult to know what to do sometimes.

I'm new to this too so dont have any help for you but sending you good vibes.

 

[Mule]

Sorry you're having problems - it's difficult to know what to do sometimes.

I'm new to this too so dont have any help for you but sending you good vibes.

Thank you x

 

[Red-1]

Thank you, I'll do this x
ps, what do I use to trim the frogs? Should I also try to harden the soles?

Ha, my farrier did give me a knife and a sharpener, but although I do rasp the feet myself, I am far too scared to use the knife! I am not sure if I would cut the horse or myself.

If it is a minor flap I confess to using various scissors. If it is more major I get a professional in to do it. Usually, if the horse is walked out on the road and the frogs are healthy, it sort of does itself.

If they are just pits and not deep grooves/no flaps than I would simply Cleantrax, keep dry and use the concoction. Dry brushing is excellent as the bacteria and fungus need damp/no air. But do get boots and start walking as this increases hoof health immensely.

I have used hoof hardener in the past, but it is very strong in effect and the feet can then become brittle, so use sparingly. Again, it is an emergency measure, not a routine use.

When the ground dries up, if he is more sore then don't despair if you have to shoe up again. But, come autumn, you may find that when taking the shoes off a second time, you are starting from a strong place. I would, however, shoe every 4 weeks to try to limit the amount they grow forwards again. Also make sure the farrier shoes beyond the line where the hoof touches the floor at the back (shoeing long) as this will slow the growing forwards of the heels.

Next year I would then try not to let the feet get waterlogged. I use fancy French hoof grease to completely envelop the hoof in the morning which seems to keep some of the wet out.

You asked about Rockley, they are very knowledgeable, but their turnout areas are also fab. They are not turned out in a waterlogged clay field. I think this is a very limiting factor, especially as you are starting with very weak feet.

 

[Mule]

Ha, my farrier did give me a knife and a sharpener, but although I do rasp the feet myself, I am far too scared to use the knife! I am not sure if I would cut the horse or myself.

If it is a minor flap I confess to using various scissors. If it is more major I get a professional in to do it. Usually, if the horse is walked out on the road and the frogs are healthy, it sort of does itself.

If they are just pits and not deep grooves/no flaps than I would simply Cleantrax, keep dry and use the concoction. Dry brushing is excellent as the bacteria and fungus need damp/no air. But do get boots and start walking as this increases hoof health immensely.

I have used hoof hardener in the past, but it is very strong in effect and the feet can then become brittle, so use sparingly. Again, it is an emergency measure, not a routine use.

When the ground dries up, if he is more sore then don't despair if you have to shoe up again. But, come autumn, you may find that when taking the shoes off a second time, you are starting from a strong place. I would, however, shoe every 4 weeks to try to limit the amount they grow forwards again. Also make sure the farrier shoes beyond the line where the hoof touches the floor at the back (shoeing long) as this will slow the growing forwards of the heels.

Next year I would then try not to let the feet get waterlogged. I use fancy French hoof grease to completely envelop the hoof in the morning which seems to keep some of the wet out.

You asked about Rockley, they are very knowledgeable, but their turnout areas are also fab. They are not turned out in a waterlogged clay field. I think this is a very limiting factor, especially as you are starting with very weak feet.

That's good advice, I don't feel like I've failed at it now that I have these things to try. The most I can do is to try my best and give it every chance to work. If it doesn't, then at least I'll have tried.

 

[Gloi]

I think your horse may currently be a good candidate for putting hoof armour on the soles. Once you've done the cleantrax soak and got rid of any thrush why not try it. It puts a coating across the sole to add strength and let new sole grow without getting worn away.

 

[Leo Walker]

If you can I would go for a wood pellet bed/ Nothing dries feet out like it!

 

[Mule]

I think your horse may currently be a good candidate for putting hoof armour on the soles. Once you've done the cleantrax soak and got rid of any thrush why not try it. It puts a coating across the sole to add strength and let new sole grow without getting worn away.

I will definitely try it.

If you can I would go for a wood pellet bed/ Nothing dries feet out like it!

I'll have a look and see if I can find a place that stocks it,

 

[ycbm]

In the early days of barefoot, the recommendation was that the horse should spend time on dry turnout, which is why I started keeping mine in a barn, where they could keep moving but have dry feet.

You havent failed, you just dont have the right environment. 24/7 clay means they are weakened by being waterlogged but also that they are getting no decent stimulation to grow thicker soles.

I agree you need to try a waterproofing product, and get him working in some boots.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

All my horses have lived out 24/7 on heavy clay. Our land gets very, very wet in winter. I used to get lots of hoof abcess problems mainly in youngstock, caused I am sure by the feet being too soft with all the moisture and because our land had been ploughed prior to our having it, lots of stones had been brought to the surface. It gradually got better as the horses got older and developed thicker soles. Takes time though. My stallion had repeated abcesses and I was told he had very thin and soft soles. This was when he was under 5. Eventually his feet became good enough to be left to self trim and were hard as rock. Farrier used to look at him and say he doesn't need trimming. Have faith and give him time.

 

[ycbm]

Can you remind me if he's been tested for Cushings?

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