How comfy should 3 month bare foot be on all surfaces

[Polos Mum]

Lovely OTTTB bare all the time behind so I'm happy he can grow good feet and work without shoes.

He's been shod in front probably since he was 2 - now 8 and was having time off post racing career so front shoes off 3 months ago.

Just read a thread where someone sensible said 'if horse is sound don't worry' - which sounds like great advice but what if it's not black and white?

In the field he plays around and looks fine, ridden in walk in the field he has a great forward walk (to the point I'm having to really get used to not thinking he is rushing - as he really swings along - one of his best features), on flat concrete he looks OK, on the bits of gravel we have he is really sore, tiptoes over and doesn't look great. There is only a few meters of this so it's not a real issue but should I expect this to get better any time soon or just be happy he's good on grass

 

[flirtygerty]

My TB had shoes on all his life, at 20 yrs old I took him BF, watching him struggle and literally refuse to walk often had me questioning wether I was right to have his shoes off, very early days he wore boots, progressing to nappies taped to his feet when needed, in all, it took 7 months for him to be comfy on all but large gravel, seeing him today with healthy feet and walking well, it was worth all the doubts and needless worry