hoof boots for unshod horses - advice please

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titchy

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Hello,

I have a NF companion pony for my horse who is now rising 5 and is starting to be ridden. My problem is that she is not too happy on hard/stoney surfaces. My farrier doesn't think she needs shoes on being as she is ridden only very lightly, say twice a week, and has very good strong feet. However he did say her soles are quite flat, not concave, which could be the problem. Vet is coming out mid January to vaccinate them so I'm going to get her feet checked - paranoid it's lowgrade laminitis which is causing the problem.

Anyway, reason for post is : wondering if anybody can recommend hoof boots which could help a pony with flat soles? Mainly to take the weight off the sole onto the outer rim of the hoof like normal horse shoes. Have some Easyboots Epics, but not brilliant.

Thank you.
 
Your pony has flat soles because of the low grade laminitis. I think you probably know that in your heart of hearts. Flat soles aren't normal in barefoot horses. If you could cure the sugar sensitivity problem her feet would concave up as the white line attaches properly.

No hoof boot will take the weight onto the outer rim of the foot, because the horse is not supposed to carry it there. They are all flat inside. Your pony should be walking on her frogs with a heel first landing. Is she?

You have a fantastic farrier! I suspect he refuses to shoe your pony because he wants you to sort out the sugar problems. On the other hand, if you find one who will shoe your pony it will mask all your laminitis problems at the drop of a hat, and to be honest I wouldn't blame you if you did that. Better that than a sore horse.

If you want help with the sugar issues, people on uknhcp.myfstforum.org will give you advice.
 
Thanks for both of your comments.

The G2 hoof boots sound good. Looked on their website and it states: One of its most positive features is a new tread pattern that provides aggressive traction while eliminating pressure on sensitive internal hoof structures.

Thanks also for the second comment. I trust my farrier to tell me the truth when I have asked him about laminitis. He has trimmed pony's feet since she was a yearling. Hoof wall looks the correct shape and white line looks fine, not stretched. I have read an article recently about sugar sensitivity which you mentioned. I will certainly look into that again. I have also read quite a few posts on here about some horses just not being happy barefoot. Lost a pony to laminitis just over 4 years ago so reaslise how important this is.

Thanks
 
Yes there are a lot of "just not happy" failed-barefoot horses which would have been absolutely fine if their owners had sorted out their diets! (a lot, not ALL). The white line looking attached at the bottom of the foot is not an indication that your pony does not have laminitis issues. The first symptom is sole sensitivity, the only symptom in low grade cases. There's a problem somewhere with your pony, and I think you know it and are worried about it. It comes across in your post. Ponies "just don't have" flat soles. A pony who does is a pony who isn't right somewhere. Diet would be the place I would start.

I think G2 hoof boots are still flat in the bottom where the horse's foot stands. The tread will only change things on a flat surface. My firend has some, and to be honest I can't see much difference from my originals.
 
I have to add that my horse only had hoof boots because she had arthritis and I didn't want to stress her limbs too much by having shoes nailed on. Her feet were perfectly fine.
 
There are some great boots Indiat, and I'd buy G2's if I had another horse that needed them. They solve my friend's problems - her mare is terribly sensitive to sugar and carbohydrate in food and grass as well. It makes her very slightly footie, and the boots are a much better option for her than shoes, because she never kept the darned things on anyway!
 
Have a look at the easycare website - they have a really good selection of boots and good info on choosing the correct fit. Feet First by Nic Barker is a good read.
 
FAO cptrayes

I have looked at the forum you suggested and found it fascinating and very informative. In fact I have ordered a book they highly recommend: Feet First by Nick Barker and Sarah Braithwaite. Can't wait to read it.

Thanks
 
Fantastic. The people on that forum are incredibly friendly, knowledgeable about "problem" barefoot, and very supportive. The book is great and I am terribly biased because I am on the front cover on my barefoot eventer Jetset George!

I do hope that people on there can help you ease your concerns about your pony.
 
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