DDFT tear, barefoot: hoof boots?

AnShanDan

AnShanDan

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Trying to get some opinions.....

Quick run down of situation: horse diagnosed with tear to DDFT at insertion to pedal bone in May. At this point he was 4/10 lame. He also has some other less serious issues in both feet, so basically navicular. He is 8.

First of all he had 5 weeks heart bar shoes but they came off about 5 weeks ago and he has been increasingly comfortable and is sound in walk. He is in a 20 foot square pen in the field for 2 hours twice a day, stabled rest of the time.

He is quite a handful to lead in and out, or he can be ;) About 95% of the time he is not bad, but 5% he will spin, rear etc. We are managing him, just.

Anyway, he needs to start walking out more. Atm he is walked round the arena for 5-10 minutes if he behaves, but obv. it is soft so not making a big impact on his feet, or causing him any issues.

My problem is that to start more walking in hand I will have to use roughish hardcore/gravel areas for him. I can't risk walking him round open fields which is the only other surface I have to use. If I took him into a field I think I'd lose him sooner or later :eek:. So, I plan to walk him around the farm yards, which are extensive and hopefully not too exciting for him.

My question is: how much does he need hoof boots? Can I use them most days, but give him a few minutes without to help condition his feet, and build this up over the weeks? My farm road is about 500m long and made up of hard core, it is not very rough but there are small stones on it, and I will need to get him over this at some point too.

I know you can over-use hoof boots and I don't want to slow his progress, but I don't want to end up with him lame from overdoing it on his new feet.
 
The most important thing imo is to keep the horse comfy. Far better for progress to be a bit slower, than risk overdoing it too early. Once his feet are basically healthy, with strong internal structures and a properly functioning caudal hoof, then sure - he should be able to go without boots for at least part of the time (depending on circumstances, sugar sensitivity etc). Boot free is the goal, of course, but that shouldn't come at the cost of the horse's comfort or hoof health.

That's how I look at it anyway :)
 
When you lead him over the harder/rougher ground now, does he give any indication of discomfort? If not, I wouldn't bother with the boots at all, for walking in hand. How much can you let him take his time and pick his path? If he does appear very uncomfortable on the path at the moment, can you find smooth tarmac to walk him on for a while to help prepare his feet?
 
He seems pretty comfortable over the rougher ground just now, but he only has to do a v short amount. I have only a small area of smooth concrete, basically just the stable yard, which is only about 40 feet by 20feet. I have been walking him in here too, but it is all turning! Apart from that it is hard core yards/tracks or fields til you get to the main road, 500m away.
He has improved a lot in the last few weeks which is encouraging but he does need to get moving now.
 
If he doesn't seem bothered, I'd just try to lead him along it. He may initially be a bit careful, but as long as you give him the choice to adjust his speed accordingly, he should be fine, I'd think.
 
I would just add that whilst yes, if he's 100% comfortable on the rough ground without boots then don't use them. If he's less than completely happy, however, with his injury imo it would be unwise to risk walking him out unbooted, at least until the ddft tear heals, as compromised movement will not help it.
 
Hi OP I am 9 weeks post surgery for a ddft tear in the foot, my mare is stables with two walking sessions each day. Initially she was wearing shoes but they were taken off before the surgery. our drive is harcore/gravel small stones I started walking her on the concrete yard for the first 4 weeks and now she has adjusted happily to walking up and down the drive without any problems. It does help that she can snack on some grass whilst walking which has been the only way I have been able to stop her blowing a fuse doing handstands on the spot.
 
I completely sympathise. Hoof boots or not is exactly where I am now! I guess its 3 weeks since fronts came off, nearly 2 for the backs. He is ok on the backs mostly but still sore in front! I use hoofboots and have since the beginning. If he seems dull, I put them on for a couple of days and he does brighten up. I have the fusion jogging shoe, just one pair. I put them on the backs for a few days when they first came off but dont need to now, so they just go on the fronts. They were expensive, but they are actually flexible just like a trainer, it means the hoof can expand contract and move independently as it should do, with protection for the sensitive sole and frog. Of course to stimulate the foot well it needs to be off. So I take them off while I walk and for now I only walk him in a pea gravel carp park which he is comfortable in for about 10 mins a day. Now the ground has some rain he is out all night without them, but he is sore on concrete so I cant walk him on that yet. He doesnt hobble, he is really slow and reluctant to move. At least he is not running anywhere!! I would suggest getting a good pair of boots and use them at your discretion, building up the time without but giving him a couple of days respite when hes had enough! Thats what Im doing right or wrong, Im not sure!
 
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