Keeping barefoot hinds strong?

HollyWoozle

HollyWoozle

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Just wondering if anyone has any recommendations as to how to keep bare hind hooves strong and in good condition. We've usually always had horses fully shod (as mine is) but my mum's horse is shod only in front. He had surgery for bone spavin about 2 years ago and took a long time to come good from it, but we have started hacking out a bit more lately and I'd like to think ahead regarding his feet.

We are only riding at walk occasionally at the moment but I plan to start hacking him regularly. He shows no signs of being footsore currently, but his hinds do seem very short? I rode him along a very stony track during our last ride and he showed no discomfort whatsoever.

I am just concerned that as we ride more over time, his already short hooves may become an issue, especially as we have to do a lot of road work. Does anyone have any tips or recommendations for hoof care, diet etc. to keep his hinds growing and nice and strong? He lives out 24/7 and has hay twice a day and a small evening feed as our grazing isn't the best.

Thanks for any advice you can give. I will also ask the farrier too of course. :)
 
If you are used to shod feet then it can take a while before unshod feet start looking normal

DSCF0155.jpg


This I would consider normal for a back foot :)
 
Bare hooves are shorter than shod ones tend to be.

This is the iconic 'wild mustang hoof' picture. These hooves obviously work very hard. The average barehoof wall tends to be around 3 - 4 inches in length.



If the horse isn't sore and the work is consistent (or at least, increased gradually) then growth will match wear.

Where we come into trouble is when the diet impedes production of good quality tissue and the horse cannot grow enough hoof to match wear.

So a good diet (with adequate copper and zinc) and consistent, gradually increased work is how you can keep him happy :)

More pics of healthy hooves
http://www.progressivehorse.co.uk/html/pin-ups.html
 
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Thanks a lot for your replies, that's really helpful! He will only ever be used for hacking and fairly lightly at that (in the grand scheme of things), but I am looking to start getting him out several times a week and building up to trot and canter over time.

This is the only photo I have and it's not close up (of his hooves), but you get the idea. This was taken 5 days ago and the farrier is due tomorrow morning.

528355_10152736695675203_1087336841_n.jpg


(Sorry if that comes out huge!).

Of course we would consider having him shod behind if necessary, but as he seems to be comfortable so far I just want to make sure that I do my best to keep his hooves in good condition and up to the job if possible. :) He really walked out very happily on the stony path (and on tarmac)... striding ahead of the other horse and looking very jolly about the whole thing.

Thanks again for your help! :)
 
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Oberon said:
The hinds look fine to me.

It's the fronts that are too long :p
Click to expand...

Agreed! I think it's the growth of the fronts and the difference between them and the hinds which make me worry about the hinds. After farrier visit tomorrow I guess they will look more equal. I also keep feeling like the hinds should be growing as the fronts are and then it freaks me out a bit that they seem so short by comparison. :p

Thanks again. :)
 
Make sure farrier doesnt take any off the hinds except to maybe tidy up a chip, round off the flare on the outside of the LH and thats it. Get fronts done, tacking back the toe.
 
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