Help with deciding to pull shoes

[PinkvSantaboots]

Arabi was diagnosed with coffin joint arthritis last summer and has had this medicated and is sound, his shod in front and his feet are ok but they have been better.

But I have noticed his sort of scuffing in front mainly in the school not so noticeable out hacking, I can't tell if this is because he is toe landing so I'm thinking of taking the shoes off, I have had him barefoot previously I had to use boots for about 9 months to get him comfortable, it's mainly just stony tracks he struggled on before.

I'm happy to get him boots if need be but thought it might be better to do it now while it's still soft under foot.

 

[Maxidoodle]

If you’re going down the barefoot route, I’d definitely agree to do it now before the ground gets harder. If you’ve got a lot of stony tracks, I’d definitely be getting prepared with boots again. At least you know he can go barefoot , I went barefoot years ago and haven’t looked back, boots have come on so far these days (I don’t have any currently as we’ve nothing stony we have to ride over but would definitely boot rather than shoe again).

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

If you’re going down the barefoot route, I’d definitely agree to do it now before the ground gets harder. If you’ve got a lot of stony tracks, I’d definitely be getting prepared with boots again. At least you know he can go barefoot , I went barefoot years ago and haven’t looked back, boots have come on so far these days (I don’t have any currently as we’ve nothing stony we have to ride over but would definitely boot rather than shoe again).

I've got the farrier booked next Wednesday so I'm thinking of leaving them off then and see how he goes, and then I can measure him for boots if I think he needs them.

 

[Birker2020]

Sorry I have the Op on UI but I get the gist of the conversation.

FWIW mines done very well initially barefoot but then went a little foot sore which coincided with the icy weather. He's walking much better now at 4 months today. I will get him trimmed with the new farrier when he moves to retirement livery as he's overdue although my farrier came out the other week to trim another livery and said mine didn't heed trimming.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I did it just for the back in late july, Scotlands ground wasn’t as dry as it was down your way. I still find him stumbly over uneven ground, he is doing well considering he has very very low heels and flat feet. In summer if I am going to be on uneven ground a lot I will put his scoots on. Should be a good time to do it now

 

[Elno]

I pulled the shoes off my new mare as recently as tuesday this week because they just kept falling/sliding off her anyway (horrible hoof quality), and after a lot of reading and slightly (okay, more like massively) panicking I decided to at least try it and see. This is a huge thing for me, I am not used to having a barefoot horse. To my surprise she's doing great and appears to be not footy at all, but of course haven't worked or ridden her yet because I want to let her adjust first. Will measure her and invest in boots as soon as I get hold of a barefoot specialist who can trim her

Does anyone have any suggestions which boots to buy?

 

[Red-1]

I've taken 5 of them barefoot, and competed BD and BS like that. I would say go for it, after all if it doesn't work out, you can just shoe up again.

 

[McGrools]

I pulled the shoes off my new mare as recently as tuesday this week because they just kept falling/sliding off her anyway (horrible hoof quality), and after a lot of reading and slightly (okay, more like massively) panicking I decided to at least try it and see. This is a huge thing for me, I am not used to having a barefoot horse. To my surprise she's doing great and appears to be not footy at all, but of course haven't worked or ridden her yet because I want to let her adjust first. Will measure her and invest in boots as soon as I get hold of a barefoot specialist who can trim her

Does anyone have any suggestions which boots to buy?

I have recently bought flex boots for my tb mare and love them. They are very soft and close fitting. The urban horse team are excellent at advising on which size you need if you send them some good photos of feet measurements. Good luck, it is so worth it when you are free of needing a farrier on speed dial. X

 

[Zoeypxo]

I pulled the shoes off my new mare as recently as tuesday this week because they just kept falling/sliding off her anyway (horrible hoof quality), and after a lot of reading and slightly (okay, more like massively) panicking I decided to at least try it and see. This is a huge thing for me, I am not used to having a barefoot horse. To my surprise she's doing great and appears to be not footy at all, but of course haven't worked or ridden her yet because I want to let her adjust first. Will measure her and invest in boots as soon as I get hold of a barefoot specialist who can trim her

Does anyone have any suggestions which boots to buy?

i am currently using cavallo treks infront and flexs behind, once her front ligament issue heals and she doesnt need so much support im hoping to use flex all round - scoots are also good although dont fit my horses foot shape. My hacking is extremely stoney so need to boot all round unfortunately.
Another vote for urban horse btw they sized me up with mine from email and pictures

 

[Maxidoodle]

I pulled the shoes off my new mare as recently as tuesday this week because they just kept falling/sliding off her anyway (horrible hoof quality), and after a lot of reading and slightly (okay, more like massively) panicking I decided to at least try it and see. This is a huge thing for me, I am not used to having a barefoot horse. To my surprise she's doing great and appears to be not footy at all, but of course haven't worked or ridden her yet because I want to let her adjust first. Will measure her and invest in boots as soon as I get hold of a barefoot specialist who can trim her

Does anyone have any suggestions which boots to buy?

I can also recommend contacting the hoof boutique, they’re really helpful. I’ve just googled Urban horse as not heard of them and theyve got a lot of really great items

 

[LadyGascoyne]

I have really seen a difference using pads in boots. It’s also so interesting to watch how the pads wear.

 

[Denali]

I had a horse who could NOT wear shoes. Stereotypical TB with terrible feet and thin walls. He was barefoot for the 15 years he was with us. We got him Old Mac’s. This was also the mid 90’s so I’m sure there are more options now. He did great in them. Eventually he was able to go without them unless we were going to ride over something more than pasture.

I always have a pair of boots now in case of stone bruising or my horse blows a flat. They really are handy. My latest pair are cavallos. Different brands fit differently but I’ve found Old Macs hold up the best for daily wear.

I would also second/third the suggestion to pull the shoes now while the ground is soft.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Bit of an update took shoes off on Wednesday left him out over the weekend lunged today he hardly scuffed tripped once, flew round in trot like a different pony today and marched along the stony track, so I'm going to get back on him this week and start hacking I've got hoof armour if i think he needs it.

I will see how he goes if he needs boots I will get them but he was barefoot for about 3 years and only used them for the first 9 months, and that was because his soles were so thin his got a good depth of sole now so really pleased I pulled them.

 

[ycbm]

Great start Don't be disappointed if he gets footsore in a few weeks, it's extremely common as things "wake up" inside the feet.
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