Footy Pony

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madbluebell

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Hello all,

I have an 11.2 section A who has become a bit 'footy' when doing road work. If there are grass verges we can use he flies along in trot but seems to struggle on the road and very sensitive about stones.
He doesn't have shoes on and I wondered if the easy boot glove would be an option for him?
Bit of info on him;

He is worked 5/6 days a week either lunged,ridden (lead rein,jumped,hacked depending),long reined or comes on a run with me(on road).
He is muzzled in day (lives out 24/7 on average quality pasture) and fed equilibra 500, handful of Alfa and Happy Tummy when ridden.
He has lost a good amount of weight, is getting fit and also can start to see some muscle(hooray) now so hopefully over the winter he will get down to the exact right weight (have had him since midish June).
I have no experience of hoof boots so am open to suggestions of what people think.
Coffee and M&S choccie biscuits on offer :)
 
One of my ponies was the same, her feet were very good but she struggled on the stones. Put her 2 front shoes on and she whizzes along.
 
madbluebell said:
Hello all,

I have an 11.2 section A who has become a bit 'footy' when doing road work. If there are grass verges we can use he flies along in trot but seems to struggle on the road and very sensitive about stones.
He doesn't have shoes on and I wondered if the easy boot glove would be an option for him?
Bit of info on him;

He is worked 5/6 days a week either lunged,ridden (lead rein,jumped,hacked depending),long reined or comes on a run with me(on road).
He is muzzled in day (lives out 24/7 on average quality pasture) and fed equilibra 500, handful of Alfa and Happy Tummy when ridden.
He has lost a good amount of weight, is getting fit and also can start to see some muscle(hooray) now so hopefully over the winter he will get down to the exact right weight (have had him since midish June).
I have no experience of hoof boots so am open to suggestions of what people think.
Coffee and M&S choccie biscuits on offer :)
Click to expand...

Easy boot glove is a good boot.

May have a little thrush which can cause footiness.

The more exercise they get the better and can tollerate higher incidences of sugar.

I'd only feed something like Simple Systems Total Eclipse or equivilant and mag ox. in your circumstances.
 
My horse has become a little footy on certain terrain- she is a longterm barefooter, but vey sensitive to grass- now off grass completely despite lots of exercise and her feet are getting better after only a couple of days!!! In the meantime, in my experience, hoof boots are fantastic for walk and trot road work- tend to lose them in canter though!! So if I were you I would definately look at these for the fronts- perhaps also have a look at your feeding regime- it may be better to reduce the amount of time on grass (even though muzzled) and the need for any hard feed- mine don't get any feed apart from a handful (literally) to mix vitamins and minerals into once a day.
 
Hello,

He didn't really do alot before we got him so he got a bit of a shock being worked so much but he can cope with 1/2 hour lunging inc. cantering really well now and even goes forward without me having to chase him on as well:)
I know his feet need to get used to being on the road alot more now but he has become less tolerant in the last week or two.

I will look at the pure feeds after this bag of Equilibra has gone so thanks for the tip. Could the feed have done anything he has only started being fed recently as his workload was being increased/made to work harder each time?:confused:
 
Hello SJ,

I can't bring him off the grass as no stables available unfortunately hence the grazing muzzle which he has on from 7.30-between 5and 7pm depending.

I think I will cut the feed down to half the recommended amount of Equilibra from now on to see if he copes better:o

Will look at the hoof boots more closely and measure him up when he has his next trim:)
 
madbluebell said:
Hello,

I was hoping to keep him barefoot hence the hoof boot question but if people think I should go down the 'shod' route then I will:)
Click to expand...

I take it your real concern is low grade laminitis. If this is the case shoeing will cover it up in the short term, but, if he is suseptable then you will get a full blown acute attack if the levels of blood sugar rise beyond his tollerance. You will miss the early warning signs if shod.
 
Hello PR,

Yes you are right I am worried about laminitis as you say (forever worrying), he has never had it (previous owners said he hadn't to their knowledge) but i always worry incase he gets it:(

I will get hold of the farrier and chat to him to see what his opinion is i think as I just want to do the right thing for the pony....
 
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