I did say I'd been wanting to do it...

[Surbie]

Now my horse has forced the decision.
Apologies, but this is a bit of a long one. Arch came in missing a shoe (and most of his hoof wall) 2 days ago. No idea how he totally obliterated it like that, but there is obviously an issue in his front feet around the nail holes. While the farrier said he could build up with products and get a shoe on, he did point out it would be an ideal time to take him barefoot, and if nothing else, a rest from shoes would be a good idea.

I couldn't do it before this, a condition of his loan was that he was shod all round. Now he is mine I can.

So he's all nekkid, his feet are, as far as possible, smooth and walls rolled. I've been shown how to use a rasp and been gifted one of my farrier's blunt ones, a pot of artimud and a booking in 3 weeks to check on him - or sooner if I yell for help.

He has a long walk out to the field and is showing as a bit ouchy by pulling onto the verge where he can, though when I have 2 to take, this is also being used as an excuse to sneakily eat thistles.

I've ordered CleanTrax, I have most of the Red Horse products but was wondering:

- would keratex hoof hardener help for the transition?

- how quickly will I see a difference?

- at what point do you measure for boots, as his feet will change shape and size? (his feet are very big so I am not sure I can pick up secondhand ones)

- how much road work would you do initially? (Have access to fairly quiet residential roads once over a busy commuter rat run, but would go middayish)

- any books/resources that you would recommend?

- any other tips?

I am nearly able to ride again after going splat 6 weeks ago, and initially was planning on in-hand work.

Thank you for any help! Also I had forgotten how quiet an unshod horse is. I have a Stealth Cob!

 

[Tarragon]

I think it is great that you have decided to give barefoot a go.
I am not an expert, but the general advice is that the quality of the hoof wall is more dependent upon what you feed the horse instead of anything that you apply topically, so look at barefoot diets.
I would also contact the various hoof boot specialists (e.g. Hoof Boutique) about advice on boots. There are so many choices now and they have been incredibly helpful to me.
I would also recommend you join one of the FaceBook groups (e.g. Barefoot Horse owners Group UK) as they can be a mine of information.
Get a local barefoot trimmer to come and start addressing his feet and ask lots of questions!! Be prepared for frequent visits in the first few months.

 

[ycbm]

- would keratex hoof hardener help for the transition

Yes very possibly and it's not the evil some people will tell you it is. Don't buy it though. Its 8% formaldehyde and you can buy stronger formaldehyde on ebay and water it down. It does exactly the same job for a fraction of the price.
.

 

[Surbie]

Thanks both. He's on a low sugar diet and forageplus balancer, but has been off the latter for a year during lockdown.

He was very obviously sore walking in tonight. Is there anything I can do short term to make it easier? Even if it's wrapping his feet to come in and out?

There are several sections on the path to his field that have been filled in with planings and the verge isn't wide enough for him to walk on.

 

[HappyHollyDays]

Well done for making the decision to go barefoot. You can measure up for boots now and maybe find some secondhand ones to get him to and from the field. It isn’t fair to ask him to go over ground which is making him sore and you run the risk of bruising and abscesses so maybe some foam or nappies with tape just to get him in and out.

 

[planete]

I use a battered pair of second-hand Cavallos I got cheaply from the Hoof Boots, Buy, Sell and Swap FB group to take my pony down the long hard core lane in the farm. They are very forgiving size wise and I just measured his feet and got them. They would not do for riding but he is happy for the five minutes at a time he wears them.

 

[MuddyMonster]

Personally, I wouldn't choose to use Keratex. I've had great results with Red Horse Strong Horn.

I echo LL that you can measure for hoof boots at any time. Ditto Tarragon that Hoof Bootique are excellent as are Urban Horse.

There are always second hand options on FB too.

If he's feeling sore, definitely look to boot sooner rather than later. I used yoga mats instead of pads inside boots when I needed extra padding, which was cheaper than the specific hoof boots.

 

[Surbie]

Nappies are a great idea till I can get some boots. Thank you for that, I can get some on the way in tomorrow.

I'll measure up for boots. He was about 160-5mm wide x 165-70mm long last time I measured iirc, but this was a long time ago, before my loan started. I think that leaves me with Old Mac G2, New Mac and Trail as options, and maybe Cavallo BFBs.

 

[Gloi]

Nappies are a great idea till I can get some boots. Thank you for that, I can get some on the way in tomorrow.

I'll measure up for boots. He was about 160-5mm wide x 165-70mm long last time I measured iirc, but this was a long time ago, before my loan started. I think that leaves me with Old Mac G2, New Mac and Trail as options, and maybe Cavallo BFBs.

Something like the cavallo big foot may be good for you as a starter boot as the fit isn't needed to be too accurate. As the feet change shape you can sell them and move into something higher performance if necessary.

 

[millikins]

Micronised linseed is great for feet and overall condition.

 

[SantaVera]

It's the best thing you can do, boots help with transitioning and for when going long and faster hacks. I went barefoot years ago never want to go back to shoes,as time goes on the feet get better and better and harder and harder, this time next year they should be real rock crunchers

 

[Surbie]

Nappies have definitely helped him on the path in and out of the field,so thanks again for that suggestion. He puts himself on the verge where it is wide enough and we slow down for the ouchy patches. I've ordered a yoga mat to cut for pads (and to do my stretches in his stable!).

He was barefoot before, in another loan home, but they didn't really look after his feet and the resultant mess really put his former owner off.

 

[pistolpete]

Feet first or performance hoof performance horse both by Nic Barker of Rockley Farm well worth a read. He may seem good initially then often they fluctuate some days better than others. It’s not a linear process. Take him out in hand after a week and just text smooth concrete is usually well tolerated initially. Some never become totally rock crunching. Doesn’t mean it’s not worth doing though.