Importants of work for barefoot horses

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thatsmygirl

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I know you need to work the hoofs to promote healing but if a horse was doing well back in the summer when working most days ( reverse pedal bones) and work has stopped due to full time job and always dark before and after work would this be enough to make the horse footy again? I'm guessing it would be but does the lack of work mean u undo any good/repairing that happened in the foot?

Yep I'm stuggling with my lad again
 
Yes, ime stopping work can cause footiness. It's about burning up the sugars the horse is eating, as well as the decrease in stimulation. It wouldn't necessarily undo all the work you've done so far, but it can set you back.
 
Right ok so if I get him walking in hand around the yard hopefully this will improve things if it is lack of work. I'm v carefull with thrush but things aren't right. Dam weather is always wet as well. He's 6 months in
 
thatsmygirl said:
No he's only on a mug full of fast fibre, linseed and equimins advance complete with mag and ad lib hay. So haven't changed diet
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Well that's why then. The energy is not being used up. You need to drop the food if you are not using it up with work.
 
Aside from the food, that I agree with, lack of work will cause atrophy of the digital cushion so yes, you can undo all the good work that you have done.

I have two examples. My current rehab had been unsound mostly for four years. For the last year he was shoeless and field rested. When I got him he was still unsound, so the barefoot with rest did not work. I put him into regular work that he could manage and he has now been consistently sound for about two months. It needed work to resolve his lameness, barefoot was not enough.

My first big rehab was sound at three months after more than a year lame with a navicular diagnosis. I found him a loan home, but he had to come back to me for two weeks six months after I got him. At that stage he had been consistently sound for three months. I had no time to ride him, and when his loaners came up to ride him he was lame for the first ten minutes that they worked him.

My conclusion from them and others is that work, within their capabilities, is absolutely essential to rehabs. The last thing I wanted to do yesterday in the bitter cold, rain and ice was work my current rehab. I forced myself because for me it's not an option, I promised the owner who gave him to me.

Even if you have to walk him up and down the yard for half an hour, that's what you have to do if you hope to get him right. Can you try and find someone who can do some roadwork with him during the day?
 
He's on linseed to keep weight on, if I drop his feed he will drop weight. I see what your saying but he's not on much that I could cut back
 
I'd not worry about the micronised linseed its only 3 % sugar/ starch. I wouild keep up the comfy foot steps tho even if it means circling the car park with a head torch.
 
Just another wee thought - I don't know what your turnout is like (or whether you have turnout at the moment :)).

At this time of year, my horse's feet are the best they get all year round. He will crunch over stones, doesn't notice wee bits of gravel on the road and is very happy. Unless we get a spell of very heavy rain...

I read recent research that the hoof wall maintains a constant level of moisture regardless of how wet or dry the horse's environment, but the sole changes dependent on how wet it is. My horse lives out, and if he's been standing on soggy ground for more than 24/48 hours, when I take him out I now use boots. As soon as his feet get wet, the soles, although nice and thick, are not as effective at protecting against stones.

Once the weather improves and the field dries up again, he's back to being happy over stones. Just wondered if something similar could be happening with your horse?
 
Brightbay I do feel that's what's happening, he's turned out 6am - 12pm and in for the rest of the day as the fields are so muddy. But back in the summer he was going so well I was really happy.

Lucy priory yes that's what I'm gona do, walk round the yard I do love my head torch at times. Also I can lead him out at the weekends from my other horse with his boots on.

It's just so disheartning when things go well and you keep getting put backwards
 
Thatsmygirl - I can empathise with the soul destroying backwards steps. I do find it helpful to review my photos of the good bits to remind myself.

I also find that once you get it right and the horse stabilises they seem to bounce back from the not so good days a bit faster.

Good luck and hugs.
 
LucyPriory said:
Thatsmygirl - I can empathise with the soul destroying backwards steps. I do find it helpful to review my photos of the good bits to remind myself.
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... and the starting point photos if you have them. Sometimes we forget how far things have come in the upset of a set back. x

ps.Nice to see you posting LucyPriory, I hope you are feeling better. x
 
I think what Brightbay said about putting boots on when it is so wet is right, my boy,s feet just do not seem up to handling going out bare atm, so perhaps I should stop trying to do this!
The other day Lucy did send me a pic of one of Romeo,s feet when she first saw him, the difference between then and now is amazing!
 
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