Only one shoe on...

[lovely_ponies]

Young horse has pulled a shoe in the field so currently only has one shoe on (shod only in front). Farrier can't come out for a week, and we are currently on a rehab plan which is walk hacking in straight lines at the moment, so can't use the arena. He has good feet and luckily hasn't damaged the hoof (and isn't sore on it). I was planning to have his shoes off anyway for the winter at the next farrier visit, he's just too keen!

My question is, will being wonky for a week cause him any issues biomechanically? Is it better if I remove the remaining shoe myself now to even him out? Or should I just carry on as normal as he isn't sore on it at all?

 

[Horsegirl25]

I personally have ridden in an arena when a horse has lost a shoe (also only shod on the front) but not sure if I would hack with only one front. Possibly if it was all grass but don't think I would on concrete/tarmac as I would be cautious about stones etc as they will be a bit tender on it.

 

[soloequestrian]

Sorry if this sounds patronising but have you ever tried to remove a shoe? I have taken ones off before that are loose/twisted and it is nothing like as easy as the farriers make it look - I was exhausted and probably in danger of damaging my back. And that was over 20 years ago because all of mine have been barefoot for that long. If you can do it easily I would take it off.

 

[Roxylola]

Can you just "hack" in hand for a bit?

 

[TPO]

I'd remove the shoe.

There was a good picture (that I might have screenshot) that shows the imbalance caused by a penny. So yes a shoe on one hoof only has the potential to cause imbalance.

As an aside, IMO everyone* with shod horses should have a small set of tools to remove shoes/nails and have a training session with their farrier on removing shoes and rasping off rough/sharp hoof.

*everyone physically able. I know it won't be possible for everyone.

Edited to add picture

 

[lovely_ponies]

Thanks all - I haven't taken a shoe off before but we have all the kit needed at the yard (and I don't have a bad back so I think physically I could manage). I have asked if the farrier is in the area sooner - if he can do it I would rather that if possible!

Interesting picture TPO! This does demonstrate what I was thinking... he lives out so I'm hoping the soft ground at the moment might lessen the impacts a little bit compared to a hard surface

 

[poiuytrewq]

Sorry if this sounds patronising but have you ever tried to remove a shoe? I have taken ones off before that are loose/twisted and it is nothing like as easy as the farriers make it look - I was exhausted and probably in danger of damaging my back. And that was over 20 years ago because all of mine have been barefoot for that long. If you can do it easily I would take it off.

This is so true!
Mine only shod in front lost one a few weeks ago and I commented that I'd just whip the other one off ...... yeah!

 

[lovely_ponies]

This is so true!
Mine only shod in front lost one a few weeks ago and I commented that I'd just whip the other one off ...... yeah!

Did you manage it?!

 

[Tiddlypom]

Agree that taking off a firmly attached shoe is a back breaker unless you have all the correct tools and recent experience of using them - there’s a real knack to it.

What I have done is to use a (very early iteration of) a hoof boot as a spare tyre. Did a couple of fast paced 2 hour hacks inc some boggy woodland and came back with hoof boot still on. I wouldn’t do much with a horse with a shoe missing without a hoof boot on to balance things up.

 

[lovely_ponies]

Just an update for anyone who ever finds this thread and wonders what happened... I did take the shoe off today but oh my goodness, listen to the other posters, it is hard work the physical effort of holding the leg between your legs (farrier style) and the bending, and then the arm strength of using the tools, I was sweating like I'd been and done a spin class
But pleased I've done it, horse seems happier and glad I'd know how to remove a shoe in an emergency now! And a new found respect for farriers