our Barefoot transition (not voluntary!!) 1 month in....

[trickivicki]

Hi All,

Well we are a month in, where has the time gone.

He had a few days in one a bute and then has been turned away on lovely soft pasture (if anybody drives past the Chateau Impney, do wave at Peej the bright bay with no white markings).

He is sound (most of the time) on the grass and is positive blooming!!

We are going to start walking him out in have on tarmac for 5-10mins every other day and feeding arnica every day to help with any bruising.

The new hoof is growing in at a completely different angle!! I hope it doesn't cause problems when the 'corner' at the growth change gets further down his foot, it also looks much thicker and glossier than the old hoof.

When he is up to being ridden/ the nights draw in, he will come back up to the main yard and be fed one of these all singing or dancing supplements.

So..... not brilliant, not rideable but going in the right direction!

In better news, I have been given a lovely Lusitano mare with a HUGE caract over one eye to ride.... she has been out of work for over 12months, I've ridden 6 times including taking her out dressaging where she won her first ever class!! So we are off to the championships on Monday .

I am very lucky to have a supportive yard owner who has provided the facility for Peej to be turned away and also a horse for me to ride while Peej is off.

I am making the best of a reasonably pants situation!! However, Peej really has never looked so well, even his muscles seem to growing (despite being out of work)- is that possible?

V xx

 

[Oberon]

However, Peej really has never looked so well, even his muscles seem to growing (despite being out of work)- is that possible?

V xx

I've never seen a horse yet who didn't muscle up after going BF, so it's perfectly possible for him to be changing.

This does mean (of course) that you will need to consider a saddle refit when you start riding again

 

[ester]

good news hope he continues to improve for you

we have a new angle of growth going on too.. I'm getting a bit impatient waiting for it to get to the bottom! certainly no problems with its link to the old growth though

 

[cptrayes]

Having made a mistake in the past with my rehab, I would advise anyone with a massive growth angle to ensure that the horse does not go for a mad gallop at any time when it is half way or more down the foot. If it does, the horse may well be lame, and there may even be blood in the "crease", but it will recover within a week or so, so don't panic if it happens by accident.

 

[ester]

that's interesting CP, not sure F's is that big (I imagine plenty are bigger) and just starting trot so no planned gallops

 

[trickivicki]

I will bare the angle in mind (it has been puzzling me!!), guess its going to be a good 12 months before we are jumping and things again

 

[cptrayes]

It could be a lot quicker than that TV, my rehab was jumping at the three month mark.

Your severe angle change just demonstrates how badly shoes were affecting your horse's feet. The new angle is what he needs. The old angle is what shoeing was causing. Don't worry, it's a very healthy sign.

I do have another warning for you though. You are in terrible danger

There is a severe risk that when you have seen what changes his feet make out of shoes, that you will become a barefoot evangelist, or even worse become a member of the barefoot taliban Do be careful, won't you?

 

[ester]

at the very least a foot fetishist...