Footsore help

StormBlade

StormBlade

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 May 2012
Messages
120
Visit site
Hi,

My horse is currently barefoot/unshod. At the moment we're hacking out 6 days a week and he's quite footy walking on the stony paths. There's no way I can avoid these paths so I'm in a bit of a dilemma...

My options are, either carry on as normal, get hoofboots or get him shod.

He's currently fed;
Dengie Alfa-A
Spillers Fibre Nuts
Garlic Supplement
Pro-Hoof - Literally just started this though.

What would you do? And any other advice greatly appreciated! :)
 
The Pro-hoof will help, but takes a little time to see results.

I'd maybe try swapping out the Alfa-A for something non Alfalfa and not molassed.

The HiFibre nuts should be OK - I prefer the D&H ones, but I'm feeding them to my laminitic and he's fine with them

It may be worth looking at the amount of grass

One of the big things is heel/frog tenderness and in these horses I'd be checking for any thrush, any issues around the central sulcus, anything that makes him reluctant to land heel first.

But in the end of the day they are barefoot and they do feel the surfaces more than shod horses do. I boot one of mine for the rougher tracks, or just walk him so he does not have my weight on him.
 
StormBlade said:
Hi,

My horse is currently barefoot/unshod. At the moment we're hacking out 6 days a week and he's quite footy walking on the stony paths. There's no way I can avoid these paths so I'm in a bit of a dilemma...

My options are, either carry on as normal, get hoofboots or get him shod.

He's currently fed;
Dengie Alfa-A
Spillers Fibre Nuts
Garlic Supplement
Pro-Hoof - Literally just started this though.

What would you do? And any other advice greatly appreciated! :)
Click to expand...

Drop the garlic. Consider if the alfa-a is needed (replace it with forage). Give the minerals in the Pro Hoof chance to work.
Review in 2 weeks.
 
If he's sore on stoney paths you can't ride on them without sorting it personally I would buy boots , is he sore behind or in front only ?
Diet wise it's hard to advise from the imformation you have given , no amounts no indication as to type of horse or his condition.
One thing though I never feed garlic I have too many whose tummys where irritated by it.
 
brucea said:
The Pro-hoof will help, but takes a little time to see results.

I'd maybe try swapping out the Alfa-A for something non Alfalfa and not molassed.

The HiFibre nuts should be OK - I prefer the D&H ones, but I'm feeding them to my laminitic and he's fine with them

It may be worth looking at the amount of grass

One of the big things is heel/frog tenderness and in these horses I'd be checking for any thrush, any issues around the central sulcus, anything that makes him reluctant to land heel first.

But in the end of the day they are barefoot and they do feel the surfaces more than shod horses do. I boot one of mine for the rougher tracks, or just walk him so he does not have my weight on him.
Click to expand...


Ah thanks, I'll have a look at swapping feeds.

When you say have a look at the amount of grass what do you mean? He's out 24/7 at the moment. :)

Thanks, I'll have another look for thrush etc :)

I tried just leading him down the stony paths yesterday, and he was just as bad, so I know it's not solely down to my weight! :)
 
Oberon said:
Drop the garlic. Consider if the alfa-a is needed (replace it with forage). Give the minerals in the Pro Hoof chance to work.
Review in 2 weeks.
Click to expand...

Thanks, the alfa-a is only there because otherwise he eats all the fibre nuts too fast, and ends up choking.

He doesn't get much hard feed at all, 1 scoop of fibre nuts and 1 scoop of alfa-a a day, split into two feeds.

Thanks :) within the two weeks would you carry on riding?

Goldenstar said:
If he's sore on stoney paths you can't ride on them without sorting it personally I would buy boots , is he sore behind or in front only ?
Diet wise it's hard to advise from the imformation you have given , no amounts no indication as to type of horse or his condition.
One thing though I never feed garlic I have too many whose tummys where irritated by it.
Click to expand...


He's only sore on his fronts. He's a 5 year old TB, but he keeps his condition really well, and doesn't get much feed. 1 small scoop of fibre nuts, and 1 small scoop of alfa-a split between two feeds.

Thanks - will drop the garlic. :)
 
StormBlade said:
Ah thanks, I'll have a look at swapping feeds.

When you say have a look at the amount of grass what do you mean? He's out 24/7 at the moment. :)

Thanks, I'll have another look for thrush etc :)

I tried just leading him down the stony paths yesterday, and he was just as bad, so I know it's not solely down to my weight! :)
Click to expand...

If he's that bad then you have an LGL thing going on. So off the grass for 48 hours - if you have a barn or a yard where he can have freedom to move but no grass.

May be worth thinking about soaking his hay.

My thinking is it's never to early to treat anything as LGL, if you've over-reacted then it is safer than under-reacting.

With Oberon on the garlic - it can cause more problems than it solves.


Are his heels contracted? What's his frog like?
 
StormBlade said:
Thanks, the alfa-a is only there because otherwise he eats all the fibre nuts too fast, and ends up choking.

He doesn't get much hard feed at all, 1 scoop of fibre nuts and 1 scoop of alfa-a a day, split into two feeds.

Thanks :) within the two weeks would you carry on riding?
Click to expand...

You can usually find a local feed merchant that can order in unmolassed hay chaff (we have a couple now that stock it permanently) to mix in with his nuts. £8 for a bag that will last you a winter.

It may not be much feed to you - but if he is out 24/7 after this wet summer....the grass is really sweet and it all adds up.

Review after two weeks if he is more comfortable at all.

The more work you can give him the better. You need to make him comfy or he will be reluctant and possibly bracing.

I would advocate having a pair of boots. Even if they spend most of their life hung up in the tack room, they are handy to have for times when they're needed and they can help you put some miles on the horse comfortably ;)
 
brucea said:
If he's that bad then you have an LGL thing going on. So off the grass for 48 hours - if you have a barn or a yard where he can have freedom to move but no grass.

May be worth thinking about soaking his hay.

My thinking is it's never to early to treat anything as LGL, if you've over-reacted then it is safer than under-reacting.

With Oberon on the garlic - it can cause more problems than it solves.


Are his heels contracted? What's his frog like?
Click to expand...

I wouldn't say he was that bad, just not 100% comfortable. At the moment he's not getting any hay, just grass. I have a starvation paddock, should I turn him out in that for a while?

I'll take some pictures in a minute, I don't think they're bad, but they might be. :o
 
Oberon said:
You can usually find a local feed merchant that can order in unmolassed hay chaff (we have a couple now that stock it permanently) to mix in with his nuts. £8 for a bag that will last you a winter.

It may not be much feed to you - but if he is out 24/7 after this wet summer....the grass is really sweet and it all adds up.

Review after two weeks if he is more comfortable at all.

The more work you can give him the better. You need to make him comfy or he will be reluctant and possibly bracing.

I would advocate having a pair of boots. Even if they spend most of their life hung up in the tack room, they are handy to have for times when they're needed and they can help you put some miles on the horse comfortably ;)
Click to expand...

Great thanks, I'll go to the feed merchant and see what they have. I'll also look at getting some boots. Are there any particular brands you'd recommend? :)
 
StormBlade said:
Great thanks, I'll go to the feed merchant and see what they have. I'll also look at getting some boots. Are there any particular brands you'd recommend? :)
Click to expand...

EasyCare do a great range like Gloves etc which are great for endurance and serious riding - but Cavellos are cheaper and very forgiving in terms of fit.

You can find videos on YouTube as how to measure and fit them.
 
Oberon said:
EasyCare do a great range like Gloves etc which are great for endurance and serious riding - but Cavellos are cheaper and very forgiving in terms of fit.

You can find videos on YouTube as how to measure and fit them.
Click to expand...

Great thanks :) Have taken some pictures of his hooves, will upload them later :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top