Footy over stones when ridden, but not in hand. (barefoot)

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Calla

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My mare has been barefoot for the past 5-6 years, but up until I got her in May she'd been living out in a field with no work. Her condition has been built up and she's been back in ridden work for around 3 weeks now.

Our lane leading to/from the turnout fields is covered in stones (ranging from large to small, pretty irregular like you'd find in most driveways). She is fine being led in hand over them & normally is at least twice a day. I've noticed when she's being ridden down the lane though that she's reluctant to go, walks extremely slowly and can trip quite a bit even if going at her own slow pace. She's okay from either end of the lane onwards though, just not the length with stones. She's also fine on all other surfaces though, including tarmac, concrete and areas that have less stones more sparsely dispersed.

Is there anything that can be done to make her more comfortable being ridden out over the stones? Should I be asking her to do it more often or taking it slow and only riding her over them say once a week? Unfortunately walking her over them in hand then mounting at the end of the lane isn't feasible for hacks.

Apologies for the length, any advice would be appreciated.
 
3 weeks isnt very long in foot conditioning time. Shes been on soft grass/mud for years so her feet need time to toughen up. I think Id be using boots on fronts til she was comfy and walking out in hand as much as poss to give feet time on the stones without your additional weight.

Any thrushy pockets?
 
For her diet she's on one Stubbs scoop of Stone bridge cool & condition, one small scoop of garlic powder & NAF general vit & min supplement twice a day (AM & PM). Her evening feed also has three pumps of linseed oil added. She also gets hay alongside these feeds and if she isn't turned out she gets a lunchtime feed of hay as well. Otherwise she's turned out to a short field for between 6-8 hours a day (still gets her am & pm feed).
I don't have any pictures at the minute, but if I remember later & the lighting's in my favour then I'll try to get some to post.

I don't think there are any thrushy pockets but it's something I'm always concerned about (amongst many other hoof issues that exist in the wider world). I couldn't say a 100% definite no though but I don't think so.

I should also have said in my original post that she's been walking in hand over it since May (I know that's not long in the grand scheme of things) and I've been more aware of her over the stones since her last trim two weeks ago. Although that could be me being more observant to ensure she isn't sore after being trimmed. I know she shouldn't be, but you read so much about these things happening with other horses that I probably over worry.

Thank you both for your replies. I'll try to get pictures taken & uploaded later.
 
My cob had this problem and either way I left home he had to walk over stoney ground so reverted to boots to help and they have been great.
 
I agree that it's early days yet, and also that boots would help if you're unable to dismount for the stoney bit.

It's also worth looking at the diet imo though. What's in the cool and condition? It may also be worth switching the balancer to one of the really good quality ones made by Forage Plus and Progressive Earth.
 
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