Shivers - shod or barefoot behind?? Opinions please

FabioandFreddy

FabioandFreddy

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I seem to be writing an abbundance of shivers related threads at the moment!! I have been doing some research online and there seem to be mixed views on whether a horse with shivers is better to be shod behind or left barefoot. Fabio's always been shod all round. He's always been ok to put hind shoes on, farrier just needs to wait a minute or 2 for him to relax his leg for him. Doesn't need sedating or anything like that. His shivers are always a bit worse in the winter due to him not moving around as much and we're at that point at the moment. I had to take one of his back shoes off last night as it was really loose and had no nails own one side. The views for keeping shod all round seem to be that they need this for balance. The views for barefoot behind being that less concussion.

So, my concerns are:

XC - will we be ok with just fronts on? We only do low level training and he's not studded up for it anyway.

Hacking - i use the verges most of the time anyway but how long will it take him to adapt for roadwork?

The pro's are that he's got good feet and if i go down that route i'm hoping he'd adapt well. He's never footy if he pulls a shoe even if its a few days for the farrier coming to put back on.

I'm also guessing that as he's on low starch/sugar diet that this will also be good if i do decide to go barefoot behind.

Any thoughts much appreciated. Particularly anyone who has a shiverer and has gone down this route!

Put in Comp section also
 
We have an 18 year old shiverer. He has been barefoot behind for 8 years as our farrier stopped being able to shoe him. He is unable to hold his feet up for him. He has hunted,done sponsored rides etc on all types of going and has never been unsound. He has a fibre based diet with minimum hard feed and a vit./min. supplement but no other special care. He was sound from the outset on the roads so we didn't use verges etc.
He has good hard feet and they never need trimming whether in work or not. Hope this helps.
 
If you're concerned about footiness out hacking what about some decent hoof boots while he makes the transition? I really like the cavallos. I also think you'd be fine for XC if doing low level work with just fronts on. And yes keep him on the low starch/sugar diet as will do wonders for his hoof quality and any fottiness.
 
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