Shod- Barefoot

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SaddleUpSin

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Provided the vetting is passed, my new boy is shod all round. Used to barefoot ponies and very keen on the idea and the theory of barefoot. Should I keep him shod for a while until we know each other? Having the backs off as new field mate requests it for safety. How can you tell if they'd cope? How to make transition easy as possible? Might leave it til next autumn/winter. How much do fronts even cost?!
 
I can't remember the exact % but apparently horses carry a larger amount of weight on their fronts than their backs which is why horses are often fine without back shoes.
I've just had the fronts taken off my new mare, she was probably overdue for a trim but it did mean she had a fair amount of hoof left, the farrier didn't take much off and is due out again in a week and she will be trimmed again then. She has had shoes for at least 6 months but was barefoot before that so I'm just keeping my fingers crossed and probably that is what you will have to do, diet is very important, low sugar is essential, also some horses get footy if fed alfalfa so it might help to find out what the livery yard feeds.
Pro hoof gets a lot of recommendations (get in on ebay) but I expect there are other things as good.
There are a lot of people on here who have barefoot horses and would be happy to share their experiences and advice and they don't lecture either though some do tell it as it is lol.
 
I would see how she goes when the backs come off, and if it is an easy transition, and if you wish for them all off then why not?

If it does not work out then you can always put fronts, or all 4 back on.

You do right to get the feeding right first.
 
ester said:
I'd get to know a new horse first, ensure feeding was up to scratch etc, unless the feet were dire
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Will keep his diet the same and routine as much the same as possible at first, he has good feet which is another reason I'm very unsure of changing things!
 
SaddleUpSin said:
Will keep his diet the same and routine as much the same as possible at first, he has good feet which is another reason I'm very unsure of changing things!
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His diet may require tweaking if you want to go barefoot, if he is already on a barefoot friendly diet then you may not need to change anything, having good feet means at least you are starting from a good place, for so many it is the last resort.
I have taken shoes off of several now that had been shod fairly long term and all have done really well but I had been feeding a low starch/ sugar diet for a while before the shoes came off.
 
be positive said:
His diet may require tweaking if you want to go barefoot, if he is already on a barefoot friendly diet then you may not need to change anything, having good feet means at least you are starting from a good place, for so many it is the last resort.
I have taken shoes off of several now that had been shod fairly long term and all have done really well but I had been feeding a low starch/ sugar diet for a while before the shoes came off.
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Will definitely have a good look at his diet, thankfully the friend he'll be living with is a DAEP (Equine Podiatrist) which is always helpful from an information point of view. I'm sure she'll be able to help too when it comes to trimming etc.
 
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