Break from shoes - how long

[Polos Mum]

Following a few recent threads when knowledgable people have suggested a break from shoeing would be really beneficial even if it isn't possible to be completely barefoot (need for studs to compete etc.)

How long a break is beneficial? I know in the past hunters had shoes off out of season so I'd imagine this was 3/4 months.
Would a couple of months for an eventer between end of season (Oct) and starting to get fit again (xmas) be helpful or not long enough to be beneficial.

 

[Oberon]

6 months would be ideal for an unhealthy hoof but any amount of time would be helpful (under the proviso that diet is addressed and the horse is comfortable).

If you only have a few months - then it's better than nothing.

Shoeing for studs is a fair reason to shoe - so perhaps shoe for the season and then go bare/booted the rest of the time?

 

[cptrayes]

I would say three months every year would be good for a horse with average feet, but if you only have 2 that is better than nothing and is enough time for about 1/3 of a foot to grow if you can keep the horse in work. That will give your farrier a very clear steer on how to shoe the horse in balance with what it wants and hopefully cause fewer issues when the shoes are on as well.

 

[Polos Mum]

Many thanks, mine currently has his shoes off as he's having a winter holiday (work commitments made regular exercise impossible). His back feet look great, fronts have some fair size chunks missing so I'm guessing it will take a good while to get his shod feed back in shape in the spring - hence I was wondering whether this tricky re-shoeing was worth a couple of months break.

he's not 'footy' in any way coming in and out on the road planings track (although I'm not riding him so they might not be up to hard work in this condition) I'm happy that he's not feeling them in any way. He's eating 1/2 scoop speedibeet and formula4feet (which I've used previously and really improves the quality of foot that grows) ad lib hay.

Will the chips reduce as he get's used to being barefoot, is it just the weaknesses caused by old nail holes? Or would it take years of proper rehab (walking him out on surfaces etc.) to get him to have a nice looking barefoot hoof like some of the photos on here?

 

[cptrayes]

Ignore the chips they are cosmetic. He is either breaking off the old nail hole damage or his feet are a bit too long. Barefoot working feet look shockingly short if you are not used to them . If he manages planings with no issues, then the chips are of no concern. You could buy a rasp and tidy them up if you like them to look a bit neater.

He'll have nice looking feet in a couple of weeks if you can keep using those planings!

Post photos if you are worried.

 

[Polos Mum]

Many thanks for the reassurance, I'm pretty happy as long as he strides in comfortably on the track with his ears pricked. It would be lovely if he got a real physical benefit from my work being stupid for a few months!

They have only been off a month so I might leave it a while longer and then get some photos for peoples views, thanks for the offer

 

[[59851]]

I have my young lad's shoes taken off in october and they go back on in march as it's too dark to do any proper hacking and I am too tight to pay for shoes and not have use of them!! His feet are excellent.