Do I need a full set of hoof boots?

[oldhat]

Hi all, I am thinking about getting some hoof boots for my footy haffy, but I am not sure if it is really necessary to get a full set or just a front set as we only do short hacks at the moment. Can anyone recommend any (I know - there are many types for different hoof shapes etc!). I am just not sure if I should be just getting a full set straight away. I have heard that some places let you try before you buy - hire them out - anyone know who or where these places are?? Many thanks, I need to convince poor lad that he can be comfy again!! He is obviously barefoot at the mo.

 

[Serephin]

I only have boots for the front (not that he needs those anymore anyway) as the backs seemed to adjust far more quickly and boots became unnecessary after a very short period of time.

 

[kittykatcat]

Well done for giving barefoot a go But really, instead of slapping on some boots (although this is a great idea in the transitioning period!) you need to look at WHY is he footy? Have you had a really good look at his diet?? That will be the thing making him footy - best to get this right and then you will hopefully be rock crunching in years to come!! If you need any help and support, I have found the UKNHCP forum really good! Good luck!xx

 

[maree t]

Hi, I have got 5 ponies all bar one are barefoot, some never having been shod in their lives. The pony that we bought last year had shoes on and we took them off over the winter. We found that he was getting very footy on the roads and gravel tracks in the forest. We did end up putting fronts on him but I want to get these off over the winter and then use hoof boots for when he is hacking a lot on hard surfaces next year. I dont know what sort to get as there are loads 2nd hand on Ebay and I would struggle to buy new with so much going on. Is he likely to ever be able to manage without. He is a NF x cob and a total wimp. He is purley on grass during the summer and is well covered but not fat. Is there something that I need to add to his diet to help?

 

[kittykatcat]

Hi maree t - you need to look at his diet/management as a whole - he just might be a bit more sensitive than the others, but it doesn't mean he won't be able to get there! The main reason that horses are footy is the diet. fact. He might be sensitive to sugars in the grass, so it would be interesting for you to see, when you take his shoes off in the winter, whether he is sensitive (as there is less sugars in the grass in the winter months) then if he becomes footy again in the spring - bang - you have your answer...treat like a laminitic (i.e. plenty of movement, but off the grass - hay instead!). In terms of diet, there are lots of opinions, the best would be to get your hay/grass analysed for minerals, but if this is too expensive (it's not that much actually) just ensure he is on a balanced diet, maybe with some added magnesium oxide - as I said in previous post - the UKNHCP forum is really great with giving advice and encouragement...

Anyway, we seem to have hyjacked the OP - sorreeeee

 

[oldhat]

Thanks for the answers! I don't think it is his diet as he has lost loads of weight and looks great, he is fine until he hits the rocky/gravel areas then he becomes a total wuss! I think it could be a combination with him, when we got him a year ago he was trimmed so short he could barely walk, he got over that and has great hard feet but they do tend to chip a lot; my farrier told me to just work him on the roads and he would get tougher and use keratex, but he refuses to rasp his feet so consequently when he is trimmed, he looks great to begin with but then chips and cracks etc reappear. I have now bought my own rasp but am not too good with it as I have weeny hands! He is fine (the horse not the farrier!), when ridden on grass. Poor lad hasn't had much hacking experience as was an RDA horse for 4 years then not a lot done for 4 years, then I got him. He HATES going out on his own - I found out after a few months of spinning, rearing and bucking, I felt SO mean when I realised he was just scared on his own. So I can't ride him out with my other horse as there is only me to ride the two of 'em! I thought about getting boots as it looks like I won't be able to harden him off properly and so boots might give him more confidence! I am just not too sure whether I need to get them for all four feet. Horses - don'tcha just love 'em!!