Does he need hoof boots for concrete?

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scoobydoo

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Hi, our pony was shod all 4 hoofs, had hind shoes removed july. 12 days ago had front shoes removed he seemed uncomfortable when I walked him over the concrete ( it ranges from smooth to rippled and some areas have a scattering of grit). I have since walked him in the field etc and he is comfortable on a very short piece of concrete but it is about a 200 meter walk to the menage and i don't want to make him sore - would hoof boots be the answer ? thanks
 
Bare feet need conditioning! Use boots if he is very footy but otherwise he needs to walk on different surfaces to stimulate the frog and sole and allow the hoof to respond and strengthen - its a bit like weight training , unless you start lifting heavier weights you don't build bigger muscles. Don't walk him on surfaces where he is clearly uncomfortable but a bit of concrete should be fine. At barefoot rehab yards they use sand, gravel, concrete, road work all to build up the hoof's ability to cope.
 
The feet do need conditioning but that is done by taking comfortable steps. You won't build a strong foot if, for example, a horse continues to move short and land toe first.

Personally if a horse isn't comfortable I'd boot and pad appropriately to build up mileage of comfortable steps.

I've just read a discussion on facebook about boots and it's sad that so called " proper" barefooters wish to alienate those that boot. The barefoot community ( for want of a better word) is fragmented enough with all the different societies, beliefs and practices without further division.

Personally I think the horse comes before any idealistic want. If he's( generic he) is not comfortable then make him comfortable and don't feel bad. Every horse is an individual with a different history etc so don't worry about comparing to others or having them compare their horses against yours.
 
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