Barefoot transition...what's normal?

[Lego]

As in the title really....

My boy had his back shoes off a couple of weeks ago, and so far seems to be doing ok but since I've never really had anything unshod or transitioning before...

We went for a 45min hack on the roads today and he seemed fine, no slipping etc and quite happily trotted including insisting on trotting at the same speed as the cob cantering on the verge next to us (first trot on the raod since backs off)

When back at the yard, we had a little canter between the fields - our first canter outside the arena since backs off...and he was strong but fine, then slipped with one hind. He didn't seem bothered, and got his legs together and carried on for another couple of strides before I pulled up. Is this something that will happen until he realises he needs to place himself a bit better now? Or just a one-off I don't need to worry about?

Also realised when we got back that he had quite a few bits of the outer wall stuck out, that easily twisted off and only went up the nail holes. Just normal chipping as nail holes grow out? Or his hooves not coping with the roadwork well?

He perked up a bit once we were hacking, but he has been a bit 'flat' to ride for the last couple of days, and tired very quickly hacking today compared to normal. Reduced workload over christmas but still... Anything to do with feet?

Cookies for anyone who made it this far!

 

[ellie11987]

Will leave it too the experts, but maybe a bit too much too soon? Most of that sounds normal but might be feeling his feet a bit more. Trotting on roads a few weeks after is a bit quick for me but some horses cope fine with it. Most I have known took 6 months minimum before they were rock crunching.

Re chips: normal. As long as it does not take chunks out of hoof then it is cosmetic and will grow out at next trim.

 

[cptrayes]

There is no "normal", sorry, each one is different

Many cope with full work straight away. Many are OK for a couple of weeks and then go a bit footie for a few weeks and then come right. You don't know which of the two yours is yet.

The slipping in canter - are you sure he wouldn't have done the same in shoes and that you are just hypersensitive to it because you are watching for changes now the shoes are off? Most of us find horses don't slip any more barefoot than they did with shoes on, except on roads when most of us report that they slip a lot, lot less.

Chipping to the nail holes is normal. Be aware that barefoot feet look very short compared to shod ones, and when it's finished his foot should look as if there is no height in the hoof wall at the toe, and very little height at the sides. The frogs should ideally be on the floor.

The tiredness I can't comment on. If he's tired it should have no connection with the feet, unless you are mistaking a shortened, cautious stride for tiredness. Without seeing him that's impossible to know.