Going barefoot and change in stride pattern

Holidays_are_coming

Holidays_are_coming

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My mare has been bare foot nearly 5 months and I'm really pleased with how her feet are doing the fronts are slowly getting more concave, but the biggest difference is the change in stride pattern behind she is now much straighter and willing to lift her legs higher, which the Physio is very impressed by however it is possibly causing some soreness in her back due to the change in stride. Is it normal for the stride to change so much?
 
Holidays_are_coming said:
My mare has been bare foot nearly 5 months and I'm really pleased with how her feet are doing the fronts are slowly getting more concave, but the biggest difference is the change in stride pattern behind she is now much straighter and willing to lift her legs higher, which the Physio is very impressed by however it is possibly causing some soreness in her back due to the change in stride. Is it normal for the stride to change so much?
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I'm not sure how 'normal' it is but I've certainly seen one of mine start moving totally differently in front without shoes. He has a much bigger stride and a more expressive movement. He already had back/SI issues though so we have been super careful bringing him into work and he's moving better now than he has. Maybe you just need to alter your riding/schooling routine to help your horse get stronger where it now needs to be?
 
Yes it's common. It's also normal for them to change shape very rapidly too, so if you haven't already, check out your saddle fit.
 
That sounds good :) Maybe she has just been a bit too free and easy in her movement before her back muscles were ready to cope.
 
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