Foot sore!

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claribella

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Heres a bit of background. Bella has been barefoot for about three years nearly. We arent regular riders so the process has been up and down where we've had to start from scratch when I havent ridden so just walking out on the roads in hand. The place where we were was boring road work. The roads were fairly flat not too stony and we'd ride out twice a week for only about an hour at the most. She hadnt been ridden out for the last two months because everything was geared towards the move.

So weve moved to Dartmoor and its awesome! We've gone from the above to riding most days for atleast an hour most days are two hours not intense riding mostly just pootling around finding our way. The first week I spent leading her out in hand but she wasnt bothered at all by the various stones etc so I decided riding would be ok and she was raring to go. We rode for the first week and she was rock crunching but and then she got a bit footy and so I left her for a few days to recover. Shes trimmed her feet right back from all the riding so is this a factor in what could be making her sore?

Basically I dont want to put boots on her if can help it but just looking at some general advice really. Should I continue ridng but cut that down a bit. Do you think its almost liek the transition stage all over a gain because of the increase of riding and change in surfaces.

Regarding her feed. She is quite stressy as shes arab so shes gone off her hard feed although she ate for the first time last night. Feed is fast fibre and linseed with mag ox. Shes out at grass which isnt really long and lush. Restricted her grazing isnt an option as she would go mad in the stable by herself.

Any lovely advice would be brilliant as Im not sure of what to do. I really dont want to put shoes on if I can help it. Id do hoof boots before that.
 
You dont think that the harder work and more time on the gravelly stony roads would have anything to do with it? Or that shes ground her feet down a fair bit because of the road work? Just wondered?
 
claribella said:
You dont think that the harder work and more time on the gravelly stony roads would have anything to do with it? Or that shes ground her feet down a fair bit because of the road work? Just wondered?
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you said she hadn't been ridden for the last 2 m due to your move and then you went onto riding a good hour a day. She was rockcrunching to start with then went footy. Sounds as if you are simply doing too much too soon.
I would think that you have the choice of moving your riding onto the common and doing only small amounts of roadwork and letting her feet grow then gradually conditioning her with more roadwork or getting some boots. What is your objection to boots? You will find them invaluable come the winter to ride on the more sheltered roads, tracks and forests.
I doubt it is the cause of your problem but thrush can be a problem. The moorland soils are acidic so it is worth keeping a close eye on it.
 
Would you beleive it! I went up the yard esp to take pics, got her all cleaned up and the battery on the camera went after two pics lol! Will try again tomorrow.

Yeah I thought the same. I think I got complacent and pleased that she was fine when originally I thought shed be footy from the start because of the not riding because of the change in grazing etc. Im not writing off what you said oberon I really respect your view. Just read back what I wrote and dont want it to come across as 'im asking for your help but dont like what you are saying so going to suggest something else'. Its really not I just wondered.

Not sure what my objections to boots are really. I havent done enough research to be sure either way tbh but just thought perhaps that they could be more of a hinderence but I guess that might be if they are over used. What would you suggest for an Arabx. The little research I have done say that some fit some better than others. I just want her to be comfortable so I guess if hoofboots are a good option then Im not writing them off totally. Id rather that than shoes.
 
claribella said:
Would you beleive it! I went up the yard esp to take pics, got her all cleaned up and the battery on the camera went after two pics lol! Will try again tomorrow.

Yeah I thought the same. I think I got complacent and pleased that she was fine when originally I thought shed be footy from the start because of the not riding because of the change in grazing etc. Im not writing off what you said oberon I really respect your view. Just read back what I wrote and dont want it to come across as 'im asking for your help but dont like what you are saying so going to suggest something else'. Its really not I just wondered.

Not sure what my objections to boots are really. I havent done enough research to be sure either way tbh but just thought perhaps that they could be more of a hinderence but I guess that might be if they are over used. What would you suggest for an Arabx. The little research I have done say that some fit some better than others. I just want her to be comfortable so I guess if hoofboots are a good option then Im not writing them off totally. Id rather that than shoes.
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I would go for easycare gloves. They do need to fit well but there is lots of info on how to fit them. My second choice would be renegades. That is for an arab on Dartmoor.
Can you start off by booting her most of the time and letting her feet grow a bit then ride one day on a fairly easy ride with a fair amount of grass barefoot and the next say on roads booted. Gradually increasing the barefoot mileage onto more difficult surfaces but alternating with the boots on other days. By the end then you are riding most of the time barefoot with just the boots for odd days with difficult surfaces moving onto barefoot all the time by which time the growth can cope with whatever you want to do.
The boots are just an aid to get you to where you want which is barefoot.
 
I was very anti boots when I took my first one BF but have been completely converted and if I where you I would be investing in a pair.
One word of caution though you need to get the right boots for horses feet so get advice from an expert my trimmer measured and chose what best for my four non have the same brand of boot!
It not as simple as I like the look of those and buying a pair.
 
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