Hoof people

[Auslander]

I'm not going to post any of my thoughts - I'm just interested in people's thoughts about this trim, as I'm having a bit of an issue at the moment and I could do with some opinions from people who aren't connected! I know there isn't a selection of pics from loads of angles - but I'm just after knee jerk reactions at this point

 

[ycbm]

Can we the leg above it? It looks as though there might be a lot going on higher up.
.

 

[Auslander]

Can we the leg above it? It looks as though there might be a lot going on higher up.
.

Any particular angle?
There's plenty going on - as he's 23 years old and high mileage, with hock arthritis, and previous suspensory issues. Soundness and willingness to go do stuff is the best it's ever been though

 

[TPO]

When was the trim done?

While there might be "faults" to find of horse is sound and happy maybe that's the shape of hooves that he needs?

 

[Auslander]

My main issue is that the horse needs his feet protected to continue working - whether it be shoes or boots. I know he's growing the foot he needs, but at present, Im not ging to be able to find boots to fit him, as the foot shape is so funky. Shoes aren't an option, as my farrier refuses to shoe him behind - and totally barefoot isn't an option, as he is old and stiff, and doesn't do enough work to condition his feet sufficiently to cope over stony ground

 

[Auslander]

When was the trim done?

While there might be "faults" to find of horse is sound and happy maybe that's the shape of hooves that he needs?

Yesterday -I took the photos about 3 seconds after he was finished. As I said above - i get that he grows the foot he needs, but I'm a bit at a loss as to how to boot him with these feet!

 

[Tiddlypom]

Bless him, he’s grown some pretty funky feet, hasn’t he.

What are his foot measurements? Have you tried one of the experienced hoof boot sellers eg Urban Horse, Hoof Bootique to see what they say?

 

[TPO]

It might be worth contacting The Saddlery Shop. They are really helpful and can talk through boot options.

I'm not up to speed with them all but back in the day fusion boots were soft and pliable so something like that might work?

Have you discussed with your trimmer and did they have any thoughts? Might be worth very slowly trying to trim his hooves "correctly" so that they are a more uniform shape for boots?

 

[Auslander]

Bless him, he’s grown some pretty funky feet, hasn’t he.

What are his foot measurements? Have you tried one of the experienced hoof boot sellers eg Urban Horse, Hoof Bootique to see what they say?

I've emailed the Hoof Boutique, but not heard back yet. His feet are 167 from toe to heel bar x 160 at the widest point. Booting is complicated by his aversion to anything that comes up too high - he's said a firm no to boa, equine fusion and easyboot epic. I think that scoot might fit, but I@m concerned about the width further back, compared to the width further forward

 

[Auslander]

It might be worth contacting The Saddlery Shop. They are really helpful and can talk through boot options.

I'm not up to speed with them all but back in the day fusion boots were soft and pliable so something like that might work?

Have you discussed with your trimmer and did they have any thoughts? Might be worth very slowly trying to trim his hooves "correctly" so that they are a more uniform shape for boots?

I've tried - but farrier not open to doing anything different. This is the crux of the problem. I'm reluctant to fall out with a farrier who does a really good job with all the other horses on my yard - I just don't understand why my own horse seems to be slipping through the cracks

 

[Tiddlypom]

They’ve changed the design of the scoot boots. I have the older version, and if my mare is due a trim the flare can get snagged on them. The newer version looks like it would accommodate flare more easily (wonders if that is why the design was changed). Would he mind the pastern strap?

ETA Hoof Bootique are often slow to answer, Urban Horse are as good and are quicker. I’ve only ever used those two.

 

[Auslander]

They’ve changed the design of the scoot boots. I have the older version, and if my mare is due a trim the flare can get snagged on them. The newer version looks like it would accommodate flare more easily (wonders if that is why the design was changed). Would he mind the pastern strap?

That would depend on his mood! Probably not - as it's the edges of the boots on his pasterns that he seems to object to.
ETA - and if he touches one boot against another ie; if they are quite bulky - he goes into orbit!

 

[gunnergundog]

Have you tried Hoof Armour? Had to put 3 coats on mine when we first went barefoot to get him comfortable, but 12 months on he is doing fine.

 

[Auslander]

Have you tried Hoof Armour? Had to put 3 coats on mine when we first went barefoot to get him comfortable, but 12 months on he is doing fine.

That's one of the things I spoke to my farrier about - that and casting tape (Yep - been down a fair few wormholes trying to find a workable solution)- but he discounted both ideas. I'l have another look at Hoof Armour though

 

[TPO]

I've tried - but farrier not open to doing anything different. This is the crux of the problem. I'm reluctant to fall out with a farrier who does a really good job with all the other horses on my yard - I just don't understand why my own horse seems to be slipping through the cracks

Is it possible to rasp them yourself and maybe slowly increase the time between farrowr visits for him?

My back is knackered so it's never really been an option for me but I find if I just do a little every few days, even just using a radial rasp, helps slowly make a difference. If you're able for more then even better.

Wouls it be an option to keep the farrier for the others and maybe even have a consultation with a trimmer for him?

 

[Auslander]

Is it possible to rasp them yourself and maybe slowly increase the time between farrowr visits for him?

My back is knackered so it's never really been an option for me but I find if I just do a little every few days, even just using a radial rasp, helps slowly make a difference. If you're able for more then even better.

Wouls it be an option to keep the farrier for the others and maybe even have a consultation with a trimmer for him?

I'm not sure I could - my back is pretty knackered - and if he starts shivering, I@m goosed! Willing to give it a go though, and have a radial rasp. I'm also thinking about a trimmer - there's one fairly close who seems very well thought of.
I'd be more than happy to get his hinds trimmed every time farrier is here (fortnightly) - might be able to get him to reduce the wings a bit through repetition, without him realising I've got my own way!

 

[ycbm]

Oh God, Aus, he has put up practically every barrier to successful booting that exists!

I think your only chance of boots with feet that shape is high ones but he won't have them.

I'm with the others on some kind of direct sole strengthening. I've got no experience of anything except formaldehyde. It's cheap and cheerful off ebay at 30%, needs watering down to 8-10% and slop on.

Have you tried/ would you dare turn him out in boots until he stops being a pillock with them?
.

 

[ester]

I'd be interested why not hoof armour, as it is something you can reapply yourself if required.

They're not looking nutritionally great atm either?

 

[Tiddlypom]

Would he tolerate a hoof jack to help you rasp his feet? I will join you in the knackered back department.

This is my creaky (bilateral hock arthritis) mare on my full size one, but they also do a shorter version for stiff horses. Should have bought the short one really, but she seems to cope fine.



There are interchangeable tops, in the second pic her foot is resting on a cradle.

 

[Auslander]

Oh God, Aus, he has put up practically every barrier to successful booting that exists!

I think your only chance of boots with feet that shape is high ones but he won't have them.

I'm with the others on some kind of direct sole strengthening. I've got no experience of anything except formaldehyde. It's cheap and cheerful off ebay at 30%, needs watering down to 8-10% and slop on.

Have you tried/ would you dare turn him out in boots until he stops being a pillock with them?
.

He likes to challenge me! I've turned him out in boots before, and he stood like a statue for 3 hours-at which point I took them off. He bit me, and then took off across the field bucking like a good un!

 

[Auslander]

I'd be interested why not hoof armour, as it is something you can reapply yourself if required.

They're not looking nutritionally great atm either?

I'm cool with trying hoof armour!
He's on equimins advance complete, grass nuts and oil. Haylage and grass (not that there is much!)

 

[ester]

Hence the question mark as I thought he'd be covered on that.
I am happy to loan you a hoof jack if you wanted to try it but not sure when next cambs somerset cambs trip would be (it's in somerset and am never getting rid of it, was 2nd hand on ebay and I picked it up from an airfield near gatcombe as you do, the seller told me she was in the control tower. . . '

 

[Red-1]

I would 100% recommend Fiona Varian, she is a magician at seeing the big picture. She is a trimmer, but so much more.

http://www.fluidmovements.co.uk

Fiona travels all over the place. She spends ages getting it right, and would explain next steps so you can continue.

 

[Gloi]

That's one of the things I spoke to my farrier about - that and casting tape (Yep - been down a fair few wormholes trying to find a workable solution)- but he discounted both ideas. I'l have another look at Hoof Armour though

I'd certainly give hoof armour a go if I were you. I tried it and it does give good protection. Sadly wasn't much good for mine as when we go above walk he puts his feet down with a bit of a slide and it wore off the bearing surface I was trying to protect. However it may work well for your situation.

 

[teach]

Contact The hoof Bootique, they will advise you on the best boot to fit the horse

 

[Auslander]

Contact The hoof Bootique, they will advise you on the best boot to fit the horse

As I said above - I@ve messaged them, and I'm waiting for a reply!

I also messaged Urban Horse - who got straight back to me, and are being v helpful. JUst need to figure out how to get clear pics of the underneath of his foot, whilst juggling a tape measure, with a bit of shivering also in the mix!

 

[Auslander]

I'd certainly give hoof armour a go if I were you. I tried it and it does give good protection. Sadly wasn't much good for mine as when we go above walk he puts his feet down with a bit of a slide and it wore off the bearing surface I was trying to protect. However it may work well for your situation.

I've got the order page saved in y bookmalrls now - if I can't get him into scoots, hoof armour is my back up plan. He's quite light on his feet for a big lump

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

My main issue is that the horse needs his feet protected to continue working - whether it be shoes or boots. I know he's growing the foot he needs, but at present, Im not ging to be able to find boots to fit him, as the foot shape is so funky. Shoes aren't an option, as my farrier refuses to shoe him behind - and totally barefoot isn't an option, as he is old and stiff, and doesn't do enough work to condition his feet sufficiently to cope over stony ground

You could try hoof amour and do 2 applications 24 hours apart, I did this on my Arab that just felt the stones and it definitely helped me be able to hack him when he didn't really need boots anymore.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Don't let the farrier touch his frogs or sole though

 

[Auslander]

Don't let the farrier touch his frogs or sole though

No danger of that happening - he ran a rasp round the edges, and pronounced him done!