Foot sore.

Silver

Silver

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I have a 12 yr old polo pony who I have sadly had to retire. She has always had shoes on all round. As she has now retired I thought I would take them off. Farrier took her shoes off on Tuesday and she sees very foot sore even in the paddock and generally looking a bit dirty for herself. I am not sure if I should stick with it or get the shoes back on.
Let me know you thoughts and best cause of action.
 
Horses shouldn’t be sore without shoes so I would look for the cause. I certainly wouldn’t just stick a plaster back on before I had tried to fix the issue.

What is she being fed?
Reason for retirement?

Check the feet for thrush as well.

For me investing in some second hand hoof boots with pads until she’s more comfortable would be a much better value for money option that sticking the shoes back on - if she’s permenantly retired then better for everyone, especially her, to get her feet paddock sound.
 
There is going to be some degree of soreness, imagine you walking without shoes on across different grounds. You will be sore. If the soreness is that bad use boots. But keep up short walks over different ground to try and accustom her to the ground. Also look at her diet is there anything that could be contributing to the soreness. If I use Alfa or molasses he gets foot sore. I added biotin to help.
 
Thanks guys. Retired due to kiddding spine. Feed - she is out 24/7 has ok pasture, hay and a small feed of speedi beet, healthy tummy, and salt
 
she has only had the shoes off for 2 days, give her chance. Keep her on soft ground and don't walk her over stones or any thing hard. Give her a couple of weeks to adapt. Check the frogs and especially the central sulchus that she is not sore due to fungal infection.
 
Maybe the farrier trimmed her feet too much. Ihad a companion pony that never had shoes, but I remember once after he had a trim that he was a bit footsore for a couple of days and I did mention it the next time he was done to remind them not to take off much as he wasn't having shoes on.

Just monitor I think and if she doesn't start to improve in a couple of days investigate other things. Try giving some extra magnesium as the grass has had a bit of a spurt with the recent rain and still warmish conditions.
 
I retired my mare in May so her shoes came off also. It did take a couple of weeks before she was comfy. I borrowed some boots to put on her and bought some Keratex Hoof Hardener. She is now barefoot and seems happy enough without the shoes. Is boots an option for you? Is your field particularly stony? if so Horse could have trodden on the stones and bruised the sole of the foot. Does she need a hard feed if not in work? Sugary feeds can play havoc with feet.
 
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