navicular pony gone barefoot but really sore

[nikkirip]

Soak his hay for about 12 hours, it will lower the sugar and calorie count a bit.

Thanks Hollybear,

I was doing this previously and will go back to shortly but the warm weather was making it go off quickly so i worried about colic!

 

[nikkirip]

Sorry user error I meant to say OP boots and pads can be a saviour I am glad you have got some and hope it all goes well from here .
I would recommend Nic Barkers book Feet First which helped me to understand the process and BF thinking better.

Thanks you Goldenstar - I shall go get one immediately

 

[nikkirip]

I would imagine the Blue Chip may not be a great fit for the mineral profile of your grazing or hay. Perhaps swapping to a more foot friendly mineral supplement would help your pony more. What's in the Healthy Hooves?

I couldn't feed glucosamine to my TB, as it aggravated his gut - not sure if this is a common phenomenon, though.

P.S I love your pony's name

Thanks - he was originally called Voldermort when he was a baby because he was wicked. But when he grew a big beard in the winter he became Albus.

I will post a piccy of him soon - he really suits his name (and his feet of course!)

Twostroke - do you know how I would get started with the hay analysis?

Nice to hear he's feeling better. When the shoes come off initially, there is an increase in the blood flow to the feet. Also they get much more feeling back, quickly so it must feel odd for them.
When horses feet are working properly, they don't just stomp along like a shod horse, they 'feel' where they are putting their feet and what on. It just takes a little time to get it all together.

I have noticed that his stride appears longer in boots and barefeet. Its awful that you don't always see what is right in front of your eyes.

Someone on another forum suggested taking regular piccies of the feet as it's a good way of keeping a close eye on how they are doing. I shall be doing this also.

 

[TwoStroke]

Thanks - he was originally called Voldermort when he was a baby because he was wicked. But when he grew a big beard in the winter he became Albus.

I will post a piccy of him soon - he really suits his name (and his feet of course!)

Twostroke - do you know how I would get started with the hay analysis?

Classic, I've always wanted to name something Voldemort... so far have only managed an ex-boyfriend, though .

Dengie, Dodson and Horrell and Forage Plus all offer a full mineral analysis on forage. Not sure if Dengie and D&H do grass too, but FP def do. FP also offer a mineral balancing service - interpreting the analysis results and making up a bespoke feed plan. Not sure who else offers this type of service.