Hoof care for box rest horse

[rhino]

Looking for a bit of advice. Background: 20yo wb gelding injured his check ligament and sdft (badly) in the field 10 days ago. Cold hosing, equissage and box rest for another 2 weeks and then the vet wants him walked out in hand for 3 more weeks before we reassess/rescan. After that I will either turn him out in field during day or if particularly muddy in the outdoor school. He is very happy in himself, leg has minimal swelling and he is completely sound on it!

Whatever the outcome, the horse is very likely to not be ridden again (he will be very happy to be retired). I would like him to be able to be barefoot from now on. His feet have never been great, slow horn growth and often pulls them off in the field (he is a bit of an idiot on turnout). Shoes have been taken off and no remedial farriery advised.

He is stabled on shavings, and has ad lib hay and 2 small feeds a day of hifi lite/fibre beet/hi fibre cubes (literally a handful) and pink powder and linseed oil.

Is there anything I could do now to help with his rehabilitation?

 

[itsonlyme]

Maybe post this in veterinary - i think most of the barefoot gurus loiter in there
In the mean time you could buy the book 'feet first', and visit the Rockley Farm blog and the UKNHCP forum.
Good luck to you both. I've had one do the same thing :-(

 

[rhino]

Thank you, will have a look for the book on amazon I have already read through the rockley site.

 

[Oberon]

Can you post pics of his feet? Front view, side view (on your hands and knees ) and sole view.

1) Treat any infection (particularly in the heel area).
2) Walk in hand on as many different surfaces as you can (within his comfort levels).
3) Ensure you farrier doesn't pare the frog or sole of the horse from now on (it's standard to do this when shod as the horse cannot exfoliate naturally) as this will make him sore.
4) Feet will change and start chipping and look jagged and odd - don't freak out. It's normal at first.
5) Be prepared to invest in some boots should your horse need them. Your horse may be uncomfortable for the first week or so - that is normal. But no horse should be in pain for the sake of barefoot. That is a sign that something is off in his diet and management. Boots can keep him comfortable while you fix the problem.
6) Be prepared to invest in a body worker. Horses that have been lame a while and then undergo changes from their feet often have stiffness in muscles etc and may need attention to ensure their comfort.

Here's another resource to look through
http://www.barefoothorseblog.blogspot.com/

And look at before and after pics of hooves, see if you recognise a set?
http://www.progressivehorse.co.uk/html/case_studies.html

Good luck