Just taken shoes off

[LadyGascoyne]

New mare is newly barefoot, after doing three weeks of gentle trimming behind, 24/7 turnout and forage plus hoof balancer.

Feet on arrival:



Foot under the shoe:











And all wrapped up. She is in my cotton socks because she has very fine hair around her fetlocks. Hoof boots with pads, with cut outs for the frogs to start with just to reduce pressure.



Wish us luck and, as always, all advice welcome.

 

[Rosemary28]

No advice, but I love the socks!

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Well done!

There is a very helpful FB group for all things connected with barefoot called "The Barefoot Horse Owners Group UK". I found it invaluable when I first transitioned.

Ehm...... word to the wise, I don't know whether you intend using a farrier or an EP (Equine Podiatrist); but if a farrier, our yard is all barefooted and our experience is that the vast majority of farriers do not seem to know the difference between a field trim and a proper barefoot trim. There IS a difference; a huge difference! If you want to know if your farrier is up to supporting your barefoot ideals then just ask him for a "mustang roll". If he looks blankly at you then sadly you may need to engage the services of another professional.

Sorry don't want to farrier-bash, but we've had to work very hard to find one that fully understands and supports the barefoot ethos.

 

[LadyGascoyne]

Well done!

There is a very helpful FB group for all things connected with barefoot called "The Barefoot Horse Owners Group UK". I found it invaluable when I first transitioned.

Ehm...... word to the wise, I don't know whether you intend using a farrier or an EP (Equine Podiatrist); but if a farrier, our yard is all barefooted and our experience is that the vast majority of farriers do not seem to know the difference between a field trim and a proper barefoot trim. There IS a difference; a huge difference! If you want to know if your farrier is up to supporting your barefoot ideals then just ask him for a "mustang roll". If he looks blankly at you then sadly you may need to engage the services of another professional.

Sorry don't want to farrier-bash, but we've had to work very hard to find one that fully understands and supports the barefoot ethos.

Brilliant, I’ll have a look at the group.

We have a specialist EP who has always done Mim’s feet which are fab. It is so hard to get the right professional, isn’t it!

 

[Highmileagecob]

Good progress even after three weeks! Totally agree with MiJodhs comments regarding barefoot trimmers. Farriers are brilliant at putting shoes on, but not as supportive around barefoot issues in my experience. I am sure there are some excellent barefoot farriers - I haven't met one yet.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Sorry don't want to farrier-bash, but we've had to work very hard to find one that fully understands and supports the barefoot ethos.

Whereas my farrier does a far better job than the fancy pants expensive qualified equine podiatrist that I previously used, who allowed the feet to go right out of balance with long toe/low heel ?‍.

There are good and bad in all professions.

LG, there was plenty of room for improvement in those feet, that was not good farriery! They do look much better already from the angle shown.

 

[ycbm]

Those front feet are going to really thank you for that! They will be unrecognisable in 3 months, the angle charges are going to be huge. Well done.
.

 

[ester]

Yup, they definitely need some help.

 

[Surbie]

There are good and bad in all professions.

This. My farrier has a fair number of working barefoot horses in his round, including mine, and has only ever been supportive of taking shoes off.

LG - looking forward to seeing the transformation!

 

[Highmileagecob]

This. My farrier has a fair number of working barefoot horses in his round, including mine, and has only ever been supportive of taking shoes off.

LG - looking forward to seeing the transformation!

Really good to hear this. The farriers I have come across still think going barefoot is a fad.

 

[HappyHollyDays]

Really good to hear this. The farriers I have come across still think going barefoot is a fad.

It’s such a shame that as a profession some are so backward thinking. My own Farrier only takes on unshod horses as new customers, not that he has any space due to such high demand for his services. He ditched steel a few years ago but does use composite Duplo shoes and I have to say they have been a game changer for my Connie who wasn’t brilliant without shoes. He also carries a wide selection of boots bought at his own expense for clients to try. I’m dreading the day he retires.

 

[sbloom]

My own Farrier only takes on unshod horses as new customers, not that he has any space due to such high demand for his services. He ditched steel a few years ago but does use composite Duplo shoes and I have to say they have been a game changer for my Connie who wasn’t brilliant without shoes. He also carries a wide selection of boots bought at his own expense for clients to try. I’m dreading the day he retires.

I think I know who that is and he's just the best isn't he?!

 

[HappyHollyDays]

I think I know who that is and he's just the best isn't he?!

You do and he’s fantastic. I learn something new every time he visits.

 

[meleeka]

Another who’s farrier also knows what a Mustang Roll is ?.

Good luck, I’m sure they’ll be fab feet soon. I’ve had ponies who didn’t even notice shoes coming off and the gradual changes that followed, and one that needed boots and pads for ages.

 

[Surbie]

It’s such a shame that as a profession some are so backward thinking. My own Farrier only takes on unshod horses as new customers, not that he has any space due to such high demand for his services. He ditched steel a few years ago but does use composite Duplo shoes and I have to say they have been a game changer for my Connie who wasn’t brilliant without shoes. He also carries a wide selection of boots bought at his own expense for clients to try. I’m dreading the day he retires.

If he's the farrier I think he is, I follow him on FB and really enjoy all the information he shares.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Ohh my days! Would just love to know who the "Mystery Farrier" is. There's one in Devon who's fantastic for barefoot, but sadly because he's just that little bit out of our area - and was cutting down clients - we had to lose him.

 

[sbloom]

Ohh my days! Would just love to know who the "Mystery Farrier" is. There's one in Devon who's fantastic for barefoot, but sadly because he's just that little bit out of our area - and was cutting down clients - we had to lose him.

Mark Johnson, but he's East Midlands.

 

[palo1]

My farrier does a fab job too; he has enabled one rather tricky/sensitive horse to walk into and out of shoes without a care in the world and that really has been brilliant for me; hoof boots never worked on that horse and barefoot is deffo the best option but in winter, on a scalpings yard the horse can't produce enough horn to keep up with wear so shoes are the thing. I wouldn't use them though if I didn't have this farrier as the pain of annual de-shoeing if not done properly would be more of a pain than reducing the horse's work in winter. I have had great podiatrists too but it is hugely useful to have a farrier with a variety of tools to help a horse and, properly done that can include shoes for me. All horses happy in their work here

 

[chaps89]

Is she the mare that failed her vetting originally but the owner was desperate to sell? (Hope it’s ok to ask on the open forum!) I can see why you’d take a punt with those feet.
I do love her socks!!!

 

[LadyGascoyne]

Update for everyone

A month apart, apologies - photos could be better!

 

[twiggy2]

Wow at those angle changes

 

[ester]

Lower lower ?

 

[LadyGascoyne]

Still lame on a circle on hard but trotting so much more freely on the straight - all in hand, I haven’t ridden her yet and won’t do until she’s properly sound.

 

[ycbm]

Lower lower ?

Camera needs to eat dirt!
.

 

[ycbm]

Those front feet are going to really thank you for that! They will be unrecognisable in 3 months, the angle charges are going to be huge. Well done.
.

I told you so! ?

 

[LadyGascoyne]

Lower lower ?

Camera needs to eat dirt!
.

I have a god awful cold and I was very lazy ? I may attempt to be less so this evening but my sinuses aren’t loving low angles.

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

Im a total barefoot convert now. Those feet will look completely different in six months! Keep taking pics ?

I’m hoping to never out shoes on Faran, he has great feet however if he needed them he would get them I’m just hoping he never does. I have money sitting for when his feet have stopped changing shape with him growing as I really want a pair of scoot boots or renegades for him.

 

[ester]

Only the camera needs to be on the floor, and perpendicular so you only need to get low enough to push the button ?

 

[COldNag]

I don't think it will be too long before you can see the change really happening with those!

(Love the socks!)

 

[LadyGascoyne]

Only the camera needs to be on the floor, and perpendicular so you only need to get low enough to push the button ?

You made an excellent point. I have brain fog. Mission accomplished. Ish.