Barefoot venture.. week 1.

[LMR]

So i've decided to take the shoes off of my 14 year old EMS gelding who has been shod since he was 3 and in heart bars for the past 3 years. Hind shoes were taken off last tues (7.5.13) and so far he has been good. He is comfortably walking out on the stones and gravel. Had a barefoot trimmer out and have to say was slightly dissappointed as she said that he would not be able to be in a great amount of work barefoot and if I did probably best to stick with shoes.

After reading Feet First, I've decided to take his shoes off anyway and stick with my farrier for now.

Here are some pictures taken today. i know they are not best quality but phone is broken and had to borrow someones phone quickly so will get better pictures soon. what do you think?

 

[amandap]

If the trimmer thought you wouldn't be able to do a lot of work then I would bear that in mind tbh. Some hooves are quite or very weak and need time, protection and owner effort to build strength/structure and dietary adjustments may be required.

I am not able/qualified to comment on the photos. Good luck but do build work gradually and keep to surfaces he is comfortable on and or invest in boots and pads if needed.

 

[LucyPriory]

Having EMS doesn't mean your horse can't go barefoot. It might mean you will find it more challenging than someone who has a horse with no issues. Much will depend on your ability to adapt your horse's management to suit. If at livery this can prove quite hard.

I suspect in the early days at least your horse may need boots. I would not personally advocate shoes for a horse with a metabolic disease that leaves them more likely to develop laminitis. One of the benefits of barefoot is that observant owners/care givers can spot the early symptoms of laminitis long before it becomes a problem.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

so far he has been good. He is comfortably walking out on the stones and gravel

That's a fantastic start. Some people have said that their horses did go a bit footy after a couple of weeks, so look out for that and boot if needed.

When it comes down to it, the opinion that matters is that of the horse and so far he says that he's OK.

 

[LMR]

I do understand it will be a challenge and I am ready to do what it takes. I don't mind if he can only do in hand work for months I just want his feet to be better and then slowly build up to ridden work. This horse means the world to me and even if he can not be in the amount of work I'd like I want him to be comfortable.

The trimmer just said that she doesn't think he could ever be in work barefoot. I find this hard to believe and even farrier is happy to give no shoes a go.

I am going to get some boots when his front shoes are off, have been told to measure his feet after the trim.

 

[Daisy2]

I have two barefoot and they and have been for a few years, they both wear hoof boots for hacking (Cavallos, and they are really simple to use). My one horses feet are flat with narrow frogs, her feet are not great but she is barefoot and happy, the other has rock solid feet and to me your horse's feet also look hardy type and after few months I bet they would shape up real nice.

I too tried barefoot trimmers, charged the earth, talked for hours to justify the cost etc anyway have been with farrier for past 12mths and he does a fine job for half the cost. Good luck

 

[TPO]

Good luck with it, just pm'd you my latest...

Great that's he's comfortable on gravel already. Agree with everything that Lucy Priory has written

 

[LMR]

Thanks TPO i have replied! I am thinking you should train as a trimmer and can solve our problems!

All sounds encouraging, I will post better pictures in a week or 2