Opinions please?

S

Skhosu

Well-Known Member
Joined
12 May 2006
Messages
8,193
Visit site
ok, so BL hasn't had a time off in a good while, year or 2, so as I am swamped with exams I decided would be a good time to let him have time off as he has his swollen(although decreasing) leg and his shoes look like they're about to all start falling of
mad.gif

So, took the shoes off him last night, farrier thought might not do any harm and he's happily pootling about the field.
Now, what are peoples opinions on what work you can do without shoes? I would have thought in a sandschool he'd be grand. He is slightly slow on concrete, but have yet to see what he's like now he's used to no shoes (he gave me such a look, 'uh..you forget something mum!). I only want to keep him ticking over, either that or he can just not do anything and relax which is also a good option. But 20mins work 2/3 times a week? Does this soud unreasonable?
Not done this with him before, I know I couldn't work the pony when he has no shoes as he is very sore but BL doesn't seem much bothered..
 
I have had my boys shoes taken off as he kept taking them off himself and until he has matured a bit more he won't keep them on. He has good feet and has so far been fine in normal work. For example, schooling(in school and in fields),Jumping in the xc field,sj field and school. He has also done a bit of roadwork. He was slightly sore at first but he sems to be getting along really well now.
 
He should be o.k. in a menage but may well be footy for some time on hard ground or concrete.

It will take many month if not years if ever for your horses hooves to harden up to being ridden on uneven or hard ground.

My advice is for the cost of a set of shoes keep him shod if that is what he is used to as otherwise he will suffer discomfort for many weeks to come.
 
owlie- he will have shoes back on in 3 weeks, my farrier and i are both of the opinion that if they are having a break it's good for them to have the shoes off to give the feet a chance to grow without pulling shoes off.
That's kind of what I though, he would be fine in our sand just to keep up a v. basic level of fitness, even just lungeing!
I am inclined to just work in sand as well..don't want to hurt him!
 
he should be fine whilst working in the arena. If you slowly start to introduce other types of ground eg hardcore, tarmac, concrete etc his soles will start to harden and he will be more accepting of the surfaces.
All my horses are now barefoot. My youngster went barefoot in March when I stopped working her because of a skin problem. I took her out in hand and started working her under saddle at the beginning of May. She is happy to be ridden on all surfaces but still has an odd flinch if she stands on a sharp stone but doesnt go lame in the slightest.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top