Help for sensitive soles...

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jumpthemoon

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Does anyone know of any products on the market or any methods that harden/desensitise horses soles? My TB had her shoes off last week and she is so footsore it's unreal. I feel like an evil owner when I'm working her as when people see her on the yard she is hobbling around like she is crippled
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I had her shoes taken off as a money saving exercise as she only really hacks out in the summer and goes on the school a few nights a week in winter for 15 mins or so - really she doens't do any work to speak of.

Any tips? Or would you just get shoes put back on?
 
I think Mustad does something you paint the soles with...
Another thing to try is hoof clay over night,as quite often the soreness comes from the soles drying to quickly after trimming.
It generally takes a good few weeks for them to develop good bare foot.
 
Keratex Hoof Hardener applied to the bottom 2/3 of the wall and soles for six weeks can make a huge improvement. She'll be feeling the pressure on areas of the foot that haven't been weight-bearing as well as the foot flexing which must be strange when it's been held rigid with a shoe. I recommend getting her moving as much as possible on a surface she can cope with. It will increase the blood supply to the feet and help her adapt. My 3/4 TB has been barefoot since January and was very sore to start with but improved every day. My farrier advised that it could take upto 3 months for him to come right and but after about 6 weeks he was fine and has been ever since. Give her a little time and see how she does - if she's still having trouble after 3 months I'd say perhaps you might need to reassess whether she can cope with naked tooties. Good luck.
 
Thanks Martlin
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I was going to give her until after Christmas to see if she gets used to it. He didn't really touch the soles - I explained she was quite sensitive and so he didn't scrape all the surface off them. I'll have a look for the Mustad stuff - thanks
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When our horse had her shoes taken off (she’s getting old and we only ride her a couple of times a month) we bought her some of the boa horse boots and once she was used to them she was going fine, and they last longer than I expected them to!! You could also try the "feet first" supplement; it’s good for all sorts of foot problems (laminitis, brittle feet, soft feet etc) I use it for mine and it keeps their feet nice and healthy!
 
Brill - I think I actually have some of that somewhere!!! Thank you
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I hate to see her hobbling around - makes me feel awful, but as soon as she gets off the stony/hard ground she's fine
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Will persevere...!
 
I third Keratex Hoof Hardener.
Find it an essential bit of my kit for the first few months with most horses because of our incredibly stony lanes. I don't use it on a permanent basis though, at least, haven't needed to so far...
eta But I've never dared try barefoot, and they're usually large parts TB...
 
Bare in mind before you make a decision, that unlike heavey horses or natives, she was bred as a domestic animal with all the luxuries included.. It could take a long time for her to get used to the idea of having no shoes and you may find that she doesnt take to having no shoes at all.

Is she turned out? If so, you may find that her soles are soft and spongy to thump pressure, if this is the case, then I suggest you look into a moisture repellent or sole filler such as 'soleguard' from vettek as too much moisture and TB really do not mix..

Another idea is to try the Boa boot ( I have a pair im trying to flog, size 4 brand new) This boot protects and cusions the sole while the horse is ridden..

Keretex hoof hardener is another option, although some people i have spoken to report poor results..

Lou x
 
Echo Nailed re TB feet - some of them just can never go barefoot. I wonder if you should be working her (I assume you mean lunging or ridden work) if she is that sore. In effect she is lame and it is unfair to work a lame horse.... Maybe I misunderstood in which case I apologise but if not you need to wait until she is sound in hand before attempting to ride or work her at all. She will definitely need a while to adjust.
 
my two tbx mares are barefoot
one had very flat soles and poor shape.barefoot has really helped improve the feet loads.
working them on sand helps to exfoliate and condition the sole.
her soles used to flex to my fingers.now they are solid.
i use easyboots on her feet when going over stones and roads.
 
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