Old Macs

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Rockchick_uk

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Hiya guys i was wondering if i could pick your brains.

My Indiana has typically bad TB feet meaning he has collapsed heals, very flat thin soles and crumbly hoof with not alot of growth.

Now because he gets foot sore very very easily when he looses a shoe 3 years ago i invested in a pair of Old Mac Boots to use when he lost a shoe to protect his feet.

Now after a discussion with my mom do you think if i were to purchase another pair, have Indianas shoes taken off and kept the old macs on permenantly for about 6 months allowing his hooves to have a break from nails and hopefully growing the cracks out he would be ok.

My mom thinks that although it sounds like a good idea would being in the shoes make his hooves sweat thus rendering them quite soft?

I have tried everything to make his feet better but i think its just his genetics.

What do you think?
 
my farrier has suggested having my mares shoes taken off (she has bad TB feet also) and buying some of these for her. He thinks that if i left her shoeless for for 18 months or so,her feet should be a bit better. He didn't say anything about having them on permenantly, just to and from fields, and during work
 
Yeah i think the only time Indi could have them off would be while he was in the stable during the winter as his soles are so flat.

He has actually lost a shoe (3 weeks after having a full set) and i have had a good look at his feet today but even walking across the yard you could tell he wasnt happy hence the reason he has his boot on today.

Shoes normally last him approx 5 weeks give or take and that costs me £60 per set so each year im spending on average £624.00 just on shoes.

I have tried feeding him Jelly cubes in his feed and although its improved his overall hoof condition when he does loose a shoe a large chunk of hoof usually breaks away as well meaning the next time he gets shod the nails struggle to hold the shoe on because there is not alot of hoof to secure it.
 
They are not designed to be used 24/7 - I would imagine you could do more harm than good using them this way. Putting them on for work and perhaps to and from the field should be enough.
 
See thats where the problem lies, he cannot go with out in the field as last time he went barefoot in our fields he ended up with abcesses and extreamly footsore.

I dont know maybe i will just have to continue with shoes and think of other ways to help him.
 
I have my shoes removed in the winter and ride out in Marquis Boots. The fields here turn to soup so she cant keep her shoes on. But they are not designed for 24/7, although Soft-ride boots can be kept on if you google them and look on their web site you will see an American racehorse that has had to have his hoof removed wearing one.
 
Something I've tried with Will in the past has been to have glue on shoes in the summer months then when the ground softens up try barefoot during the winter months using the old macs to ride in.

The glue on jobs will be expensive for a little while but you will only need them until October probably. The difficulty is getting them to stay on and a farrier with the patience to fit them but it is just to tide you over so worth a thought
 
Some of the horses at my livery yard have been known for ripping shoes and half their hoof off, so they get fed Blue Chip to strengthen the hoof. This could be an option?
What about over-reach boots to prevent him stepping on a front hoof? My friend has invested in Equilibrium handy chaps for when her horse is in the field as he's forever pulling shoes off.
 
There is a chap in Sutton Coldfield Called Andy Bagnall, I am sure he will be on the register as I don't have his number. He is a qualified remedial farrier and not cheap but he is very good
 
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