Opinions please!

F

FreddiesGal

Well-Known Member
Joined
16 April 2012
Messages
1,042
Visit site
Ok, i'd really like some opinions. :p

My Welsh D is barefoot and has a trim once every 10-12 weeks. Before you all shoot me ; his back feet pretty much stay the same length, and he has very tough front feet. They are not cracked at all and he never trips etc. He did used to wear fronts but i just didn't see the need as i very rarely have to ride on the roads.

Obviously if he started tripping i would have them trimmed sooner. I am on a big yard (30+ horses) and it is not really possible to have the farrier come out unless there are quite a few others that need to be done too.

How often do you trim your barefoot ponies/horses?
 
Mine has them done every 8 weeks, daughters is usually checked every 8 but done every 12. Do quite a bit of roadwork though, & this summer now daughters is older she'll be doing more, farrier thinks she'll probably do 16 weeks this time, but will get them checked in the interim.
 
I for one would be the last to shoot you for not shoeing your horse.

Roadwork for the barefoot horse is fantastically beneficial. I try to get my horse out everyday and as part of it ride for an hour at least on the road.

Because it is not shod, the hoof is able to expand and contract as it should and is able to absorb the impact of landing on a hard surface without the shock wave travelling up the leg as with a shod horse. The shock impact can have severe consequences for shod horses when they do anything other than walk on the road. Slipping is non existant, on all types of tarmac, some of which is lethal for shod horses.

The trimming interval adopted by lots of trimmers of 6, 8 or whatever weeks seems to me to be a hangover from farriery and working around a farriers diary.

My own horses are virtually self maintaining as far as trimming goes, but on occasion, if I think they need it, I will tidy up their feet, but, I only rasp where the hoof would normally wear through work, therefore maintaining a strong hoof capsule.
 
I have the farrier every 5 weeks for one.. He checks the other 5 when he comes and they get trimmed if necessary.. Sometimes it's 10-15 weeks depending on which horse, what time of year and how much growth..
 
Pale Rider said:
I for one would be the last to shoot you for not shoeing your horse.

Roadwork for the barefoot horse is fantastically beneficial. I try to get my horse out everyday and as part of it ride for an hour at least on the road.

Because it is not shod, the hoof is able to expand and contract as it should and is able to absorb the impact of landing on a hard surface without the shock wave travelling up the leg as with a shod horse. The shock impact can have severe consequences for shod horses when they do anything other than walk on the road. Slipping is non existant, on all types of tarmac, some of which is lethal for shod horses.
Click to expand...

Totally agree, I should have mentioned this in my post also. I feel much happier doing road work - especially trotting- now that he is barefoot
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top