chaps89
Well-Known Member
I have a 14.3hh 6yr old cob x mare who has a history of soundness problems. She's currently sound but in short: suspensory ligament damage in near fore, collateral ligament damage in off-fore and in-active ringbone in all 4 feet.
Her hoof quality is remarkably good and she holds shoes no problem. Is out 24/7 on poor grazing (all she needs) and gets a handful of molasses free hi-fi for a token feed. (currently with a friend on livery, upon return will have vits+mins but tbh looks good on what she's on.)
We took her hind shoes off 2 shoeing cycles ago but had to put them back on within 3 weeks as she had worn her toes down so badly (she toe drags although appears to be no medical reason for this- has had a number of lameness workups- just a lazy cob!) Even with shoes on, she wears her feet pretty impressively.
I tend to find by 4 weeks her shoes are too slippy and with her movement we tend to end up feeling like bambi-on-ice on the roads- even with road studs. (she is currently shod in natural balance shoes every 6 weeks)
She's coming home at the end of September and will just be in light but proper work- 3 or 4 times a week but our hacking is seriously hilly, mostly off road which sounds great but is primarily flinty tracks. She never seemed to feel her feet when we took shoes off behind but they wouldn't last if we did so again.
Will chat to farrier next time he's out (next week) but wondering if there's any other options to consider? As shoeing is costing me a fortune (£110 a time) and as I can't seem to hack out after 4 weeks I'm getting a bit fed up. Have thought about hoof boots but with her toe dragging am not sure they're a suitable option?
Her hoof quality is remarkably good and she holds shoes no problem. Is out 24/7 on poor grazing (all she needs) and gets a handful of molasses free hi-fi for a token feed. (currently with a friend on livery, upon return will have vits+mins but tbh looks good on what she's on.)
We took her hind shoes off 2 shoeing cycles ago but had to put them back on within 3 weeks as she had worn her toes down so badly (she toe drags although appears to be no medical reason for this- has had a number of lameness workups- just a lazy cob!) Even with shoes on, she wears her feet pretty impressively.
I tend to find by 4 weeks her shoes are too slippy and with her movement we tend to end up feeling like bambi-on-ice on the roads- even with road studs. (she is currently shod in natural balance shoes every 6 weeks)
She's coming home at the end of September and will just be in light but proper work- 3 or 4 times a week but our hacking is seriously hilly, mostly off road which sounds great but is primarily flinty tracks. She never seemed to feel her feet when we took shoes off behind but they wouldn't last if we did so again.
Will chat to farrier next time he's out (next week) but wondering if there's any other options to consider? As shoeing is costing me a fortune (£110 a time) and as I can't seem to hack out after 4 weeks I'm getting a bit fed up. Have thought about hoof boots but with her toe dragging am not sure they're a suitable option?
- we have very very hilly hacking around our way on old country roads and its fantastic