Going barefoot

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FfionWinnie

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Well I just thought folk might like a heartening transition story for a change.

Bought my 5yr old mare 3 weeks ago. Had the shoes taken off straight away as her feet were really over grown (she over reached constantly!).

Clip clopping along, rock crunching from the start. Building up the hacking gradually (brilliant tracks at new livery for it and plenty of Tarmac too). Long may it continue :). This is the 6th one I've done now and definitely the easiest despite having been shod. She has really good feet, will get boots if necessary but I think it's unlikely she will need them.
 
And another, page 36 of todays H&H. Mango is barefoot, shoes came off 1 year ago, rock crunching from the start. Plenty of rosettes first season BE and 4 wins from 4 entries BD this winter. Also starring role in "Healthy Hooves" for Rockley followers. Did notice despite reporter taking an interest in BF no mention in final edit ;)
 
Really interested in this you guys...thanks for posting. Am thinking of taking my boy barefoot. He is shod in front only, has good hardy feet according to my farrier, he lives out 24/7 and is on a "ulcer friendly" diet ie low starch and sugar, no cereals. Is there a "good" time of year to try barefoot and what should I expect?
 
summer is better for feet generally as drier but if they are a bit footy then the hard ground can be a bit of a problem so not sure a definitive answer on that - we had a wet summer when we transitioned!
 
I took them off in the autumn as didn't want to miss any events! Had a bit of a wobble when the grass came through in spring but by then I was confident his feet were up to it and knew I just had to tinker with diet. My other one went to Rockley so all done for me ;)
 
My ISH has been barefoot for 5 years now & her hooves have been so much better, l wouldn't contemplate shoeing her again unless it was for medical reasons. She still has a tendency to have drier hooves in summer like ester mentioned but l started to use a feedmark supplement in the summer & l've noticed it's made a difference so aim to continue to feed it. Whilst our two ponies are also barefooted but being natives they are hardier.
 
I decided to go for it now as being winter she is mostly ridden in the school and I can do a short ride afterwards and just gradually extend it. I thought it would be a good time as well as diet wise to be honest, as there isn't much grass. I felt if I kept shoeing her and got her really fit, it wouldn't be as easy to gradually increase the hacking without feeling like I was missing out. I'm hoping by summer we will be ready for 25km endurance rides!
 
Thank you all... Gonna speak to my farrier about it at next appointment I think. Thank you for sharing your barefoot experiences. Sorry if I hijacked OP!
 
kinnygirl1 said:
Thank you all... Gonna speak to my farrier about it at next appointment I think. Thank you for sharing your barefoot experiences. Sorry if I hijacked OP!
Click to expand...

Not at all. Was just something I thought I would share, happy if it helps anyone.

I didn't speak to the farrier just asked him to take the shoes off.
 
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