hoof boots or back to shoes?

[budley95]

Bud's been unshod for 3 and a half years now, and it was unintentional at first, he was poorly, farrier said I'll whip his shoes off for you and he came back into full work and farrier has just said he doesnt need them since. They've laid down some big horrible stones on our hacking route and he just tripped lots today. So put fronts back on, or hoof boots for hacking and what type for 1hr45 minute hacks as standard?

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Is his hoof balance correct? Could he be tripping due to long toes? If that's not the case then I would personally try boots first and then only shoe if that didn't help.

 

[budley95]

I'm not sure. I've just kind of gone along with whatever my farriers said. He told me to cut as much sugar out as possible, soaked hay, HPD veteran molasses free balancer, Topspecs molasses free alfalfa chop, come in during the day and out at night with spring grass (can't be muzzled due to breathing problems) and to do at least 15 minutes roadwork twice a week.

I took some pictures with a tape measure last night to see what size I need for hoof boots but I'm not sure if it shows his toe particularly well:







He's been fine all along so far, never had a problem and roads, rolled stones and gravel don't pose a problem. It's just these big loose stones they've put over by the solar farm for the cars on the TROT route we hack on. I'm just worried about him getting footsore.