Going barefoot on the back

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Parkranger

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Hello - just after a bit of advice.

We've left Ty's shoes off the back - he threw 2 shoes in the field and was bizarrely alot sounder on his hocks. So we decided to try him without backs and he's obviously a little sore.

Any ideas for things to put on his back hooves to help (and please don't say shoes!)
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Thanks x
 
my farrier has always said there is no reason to just shoe the fronts..other that cost...

so if he was mine, i'd stick a set of hinds on him.
 
I know loads of horses that are only shod in front and there are a million reasons! Poor hind hoof quality, only doing limited road work (enough to wear fromts but not backs significantly) or agressive horse in the field. Scrooge was not shod behind for nearly a year cos he's an agressive lil sod in the field and has caused enough injuries as it is. eventually he calmed down and needed hinds as roadwork increased.

As for the horse in question, we've always just let them toughen up. go easy on the rough ground walk on the soft when possible and eventually they harden. A hoof supliament may help or courcosine to simulate new hardened growth
 
JM07 - I have to disagree - he's definately sounder without them on his hocks and I can't think of any other reason other than him not having shoes on the back....I guess he isn't suffering from the concussion of shoes.

if he doesn't toughen up then I'll have pads put under the shoes next time
 
Well I was told walking on the roads was excellent for helping hooves to adjust to being barefoot. Keratex hoof hardener can be used in moderation. Never tried any of the above but had them all recommended to me. Then theres hoof boots if you wanted to go down that route..
 
Mines been barefoot behind for about 5 years now for several reasons but it's never been a problem.

Just don't overdo the road work or stony ground until they've hardened up, bear in mind this can take several months. Eucalyptus oil applied to the soles helps, better than keratex and half the price.

If he does get sore or isn't coping invest in a pair of hoof boots, they pay for themselves in no time.
 
My girl has only been shod on the front for almost two years and I've had no problems. If you want something to toughen his feet up my farrier recommends painting Keratex on.
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Get some Keratex hoof hardener and follow the instructions. It's fabulous stuff!

Berry is not shod behind and I'm in no hurry to put shoes on them either, as I will not turn horses out together if they are shod alround and he is out with my 2yo. He only does hacking on a variety of surfaces and has had no problems! His hind feet are white and he is 24.
 
Mine is barefoot behind, and has been all his life other than briefly last year. I stuck shoes on him as his work was increasing and I though he would need the extra support. He went ok with shoes, no real difference. The shoes came off when he fractured a splint bone and the backs haven't been on since. Having shoes on his backs made them split and crack for around one trimming cycle but since then they are rock solid and my farrier says it would be a shame to hammer nails into such good feet......and I hack out on a variety of surfaces...
 
If he's been in shoes for a long time, it'll take a while for his feet to heal and start functioning properly. They often are sore for a bit, esp if they're feet are damaged (under-run heels, contracted heels, small frogs etc etc). Those with good, well shod feet should be able to walk out of shoes without hesitation.

Biggest thing you could do for him is make sure his frogs are strong and healthy, because they're the quickest thing to heal and will support his feet as the walls strengthen.

Clear up any thrush asap, make sure the heels and bars aren't long, so he walks correctly, heel first, and the frogs will spread and improve quickly. If they're really bad, booting with pads help.

Why not go and have a nosey on some barefoot forums ( this one would be worth investigating ) - they should be able to give you some expert advise.
 
harv is only shod on the front, been shoe free on the back since before I took him on in Jan and we have had no problems, nice hard hooves according to our farrier

reminds me we need a little visit from him soon!
 
I have some keratex so will give that a go. The other issue with his backs is that they're in a bit of a state and probably wouldn't hold a shoe at the moment anyway. I've put him on a biotin supp and will look at boots as well for a few months.

Because he's so much free'r on the back I'd really like to give it a go....
 
Good luck with it,hope his feet improve and he keeps moving better.My mare hasn't had back shoes on in years, or front ones until we moved to an area with lots of stoney bridleways.The difference in the size and shape of her frogs on her back feet compared to her now-shod fronts is amazing.They are big,healthy and cushiony on the back, small and quite thin on the front.I soak her feet every day, just with the hose, then put a good moisturising hoof cream on when they are still wet, seems to help keep the moisture in.
 
Neither of mine are shod behind, they compete in all disciplines between them & hack out, but no road work, just my choice because its so busy & dangerous. I took the hinds off after Meg was kicked & hospitalised for the second time by another livery, the surgeon told me she wouldn't have been there if the other horse hadn't been shod behind. I now turn my two out together in a separate paddock, & would never consider having a horse with back shoes in with them. Neither of them suffered any soreness at all, & their feet are really strong. Another reason for only shoeing in front is the shed load of money it saves!!
 
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