ABE
Well-Known Member
I am thinking about getting one of horses taken down to only getting front shoes or maybe even going barefoot? whats everyones thoughts, and what about the boots u get?
Barefoot- whats your experiences?
- Thread starter ABE
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jesterfaerie
Well-Known Member
I have kept my TB barefoot for quite a while now, he used to go lame very quickly if he even lost a shoe. I used Vettec sole guard and I had very good results from it.
Nailed
Well-Known Member
It suits some horses but not other. Some horses will hack for 3 hours a day with no shoes on.. Some won't. Ted was lame with in an hour of having shoes off and was turned on a soft paddock.. 10 weeks later he had to have fronts back on to releive the pain.
Ted had Boa boots. they rubbed him to high heaven, even with the gaitors on and they were too heavy for him and actually inflamed his tendons.
Vettec solegaurd is very good, it protects the sole and prevents any debris getting in. However, if the soles are low and thin, it can actually cause pressure lameness.
You wont know until you try, but do expect some slight lameness for a short period of time.
Lou x
Ted had Boa boots. they rubbed him to high heaven, even with the gaitors on and they were too heavy for him and actually inflamed his tendons.
Vettec solegaurd is very good, it protects the sole and prevents any debris getting in. However, if the soles are low and thin, it can actually cause pressure lameness.
You wont know until you try, but do expect some slight lameness for a short period of time.
Lou x
HelsB
Well-Known Member
I took the shoes off my boy 2 years ago and didn't have to slow down for a moment!! He is actually better without shoes, especially on firm ground!
GoJo
Well-Known Member
one of mine is fab with no shoes (arab x QH) and the other a criollo is pathetic although we are still trying.
i have the easyboot epics which are fantastic and fit them both, dont rub and they hack out fine with them on.
both have been barefoot for about 4 months now.
i have the easyboot epics which are fantastic and fit them both, dont rub and they hack out fine with them on.
both have been barefoot for about 4 months now.
maggiesmum
Well-Known Member
I have 2 Tb's & a warmblood all barefoot, they all wear front boots for stoney ground and the one of the Tb's needs them for the road but other than that they're doing well.
I like easyboot epics, they don't rub and they don't twist or move, I also like the marquis ones but they not cheap. I'd recommend doing some research into it before you take the plunge, it tends to work much better if you 'feed' the feet with the correct diet eg, supplement magnesium, good mineral supply, less grass. for 6 months before you take the shoes off.
They also need to work, the feet will only get so far by being turned out in a paddock, feet respond to stimulation so the more work they can comfortably do the better, even if its only walking out in hand.
It doesn't suit everyone as its not always the easiest thing to manage but there's no reason why it shouldn't work - good luck.
I like easyboot epics, they don't rub and they don't twist or move, I also like the marquis ones but they not cheap. I'd recommend doing some research into it before you take the plunge, it tends to work much better if you 'feed' the feet with the correct diet eg, supplement magnesium, good mineral supply, less grass. for 6 months before you take the shoes off.
They also need to work, the feet will only get so far by being turned out in a paddock, feet respond to stimulation so the more work they can comfortably do the better, even if its only walking out in hand.
It doesn't suit everyone as its not always the easiest thing to manage but there's no reason why it shouldn't work - good luck.
zsmm4
Well-Known Member
ok for pootling round the village once or twice a week. More than that faster or longer rides horse becme footsore. So bought hoof boots. Gone back to shoes. Much better. am selling hoof boots, size 2 cavallo unused.
air78
Well-Known Member
All good
I've got one TB with easy boot gloves for the fronts, and the others have nothing.
spookypony
Well-Known Member
Pony, lives out, had terrible feet with a big crack when arrived last Autumn. Now happy to go over any terrain for hours on end, crack completely gone. I just got some Easyboot Gloves to use if we encounter extreme conditions. It takes time, and patience, and careful management.
Spot_the_Risk
Well-Known Member
My cob (17 years old now) had been always been shod until last October when I had a knee op and thought I would be out of the saddle for a while - turns out I was riding again quickly, tried him with only fronts, he was fine, but kept climbing fences and pulling off the fronts. So then he went totally barefoot, and I tried Old Macs G2, he goes well in them but I am considering putting them on behind too - our tracks are very stoney and I feel he would appreciate having them on all feet. Having said that we completed a (slow) 12 mile ride a couple of weeks ago across Dartmoor - road, tracks with granite boulders, forestry hardcore etc etc, with just front boots and he was fine.
PapaFrita
Well-Known Member
I had PF barefoot for 3 years or so in the UK. It was actually my farrier's suggestion as she was doing so well without shoes on. Tried again to go barefoot when I brought her back into work after having her foal, and she just wasn't comfortable, so shoes went back on.