our first proper hack fully barefoot

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unicorndreams

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We managed our first full hack out today without the aid of hoof boots and my lovely TB mare coped really well, I am so pleased with her progress :D.
Just 14wks ago I removed her back shoes, 12wks with the fronts.
A change of diet, boots all round and gently building up the work and we've finally hit that magic point of being able to hack out without boots at all. I feel like this is such a huge achievement and I'm really proud of how well my horse has adapted. Its interesting that where we used to walk and trot on muddy ground without a thought in shoes, she now chooses to use the harder track instead of the softer, slippery verges. Her feet are looking bigger now although less uniform in appearance as she shapes them to her preference. Her legs look stronger too, less spindly than they were and that clicking sound in her hind legs when her shoes were first off has now stopped as her tendons and ligaments have adjusted to the changes.
Its still early days and I am prepared for occasional setbacks but the support of my trimmer has been fantastic throughout.
Even the stony track up to the road didn't faze her - rock crunching here we come!
 
unicorndreams said:
We managed our first full hack out today without the aid of hoof boots and my lovely TB mare coped really well, I am so pleased with her progress :D.
Just 14wks ago I removed her back shoes, 12wks with the fronts.
A change of diet, boots all round and gently building up the work and we've finally hit that magic point of being able to hack out without boots at all. I feel like this is such a huge achievement and I'm really proud of how well my horse has adapted. Its interesting that where we used to walk and trot on muddy ground without a thought in shoes, she now chooses to use the harder track instead of the softer, slippery verges. Her feet are looking bigger now although less uniform in appearance as she shapes them to her preference. Her legs look stronger too, less spindly than they were and that clicking sound in her hind legs when her shoes were first off has now stopped as her tendons and ligaments have adjusted to the changes.
Its still early days and I am prepared for occasional setbacks but the support of my trimmer has been fantastic throughout.
Even the stony track up to the road didn't faze her - rock crunching here we come!
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Congrats :) Thats a super achievement in a short space of time. these TB's and their typical feet, eh? :)
 
Well done I'm still waiting for my first barefoot hack but than 3 months ago I never thought I would ride my crippled tb again, so just having him back in work is great.

Well done :)
 
Its been a rewarding journey so far (apart from the occasional worry)
Hang on in there 'thatsmygirl' - it can be done :) Are you using boots at the mo then?
I'm just grateful to all the experience and advice so freely given on HHO (thanks cptrayes and others) as this helped me to make the decision before I got to the point of having a typically crippled TB!
When the farrier said he didn't know what else to do for her back feet other than bar shoes and pads I knew it was time to whip those shoes off and try to transition her before things got worse.
Yes Scarlett, I also heard that TB's can't go barefoot ;) Somebody didn't tell my mare that though
 
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