Shod to barefoot

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Sjb1

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Hi all.
My welsh cross horse always had front shoes on and I've had then taken off.
Does anyone have any experience of this transition? I'm a bit concerned as where the previous nails were- the hoof has broken off and he's quite foot sore. I'm feeding hoof supplements plus baileys low cal balancer plus Pureflax oil- also coating the hooves with kevin bacon dressing. While these are growing out should I not ride or should I keep him in on soft bedding?
Any advise would be great for care until these holes have grown out.
 
Getting the diet right is really important. Cut out as much sugar as possible, no mollased chaffs etc, and keep an eye on the grass. You need to be feeding a no iron supplement with good levels of zinc and copper. Progressive Earth, Forage Plus and Equivita all do them. I'd then add 25 to 40gms salt, 100gms linseed and some magneisum. I use mag chloride.

I dont put anything topical on mine, it doesnt help. Good hoof comes from within :) Make absolutely certain their is no infection and use Clean trax if there is. The hoof wall will snap off to where the nail holes were and unshod hooves do chip more. My boys shoes came off in July and hes still chipping and snapping bits off. It doesnt seem to bother him though If shes sound carry on, if not get some hoof boots :)
 
Thanks so much for advise. His back feet a great so I know the fronts will go good eventually- I think you are right saying it comes from within.
Thanks again ��
 
No problem :) I've had a bit of a rough ride with my older boy. The first time I've ever had problems, but hes coming right now and its so nice to know his feet dont hurt anymore :) I find barefoot horses much nicer to ride as well. I hate the sliding that shod horses do on the road
 
FrankieCob said:
No problem :) I've had a bit of a rough ride with my older boy. The first time I've ever had problems, but hes coming right now and its so nice to know his feet dont hurt anymore :) I find barefoot horses much nicer to ride as well. I hate the sliding that shod horses do on the road
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How long did it take for hooves to recover?
😀
 
He was in a bad way. Caudal heel pain, aka navicular syndrome, white line disease, absolutely chronic and deep rooted thrush infection and thats just the edited highlights :lol: He wasnt sound in shoes so I didnt expect too much when the shoes came off! He had tiny little feet, incredibly narrow, with very, very, very deep central suculus and clefts all on the end of a 600kg body :( The thrush was so bad he spent 2 days at horsepital and I had a bit of a fight with the vet over shoeing him!.

His feet have got gradually bigger and wider and they are unrecognisable now :) Shoes came off end of July and now hes completely sound although still has boots on for hacking as to get anywhere of the yard its gravelly and stony. But he walks across the stony yard just fine now :)
 
It would be a good idea to purchase some hoof boots to help the transition. Using the boots, with pads inside, will mean that you can work your horse in comfort and by working him the hoof will grow stronger. It might be months before he is really comfortable without shoes on the fronts for riding. Diet is important, but you need to exercise him too.
 
My welshy had awful front feet they were quite badly splayed and suffered major cracks and broke easily. I had him shod as he was really foot sore as well. I changed my farrier as wasn't happy, new farrier is a life saver he's really worked hard on doing what he can to improve his feet.

I turn mine out in summer for 6 weeks hols and always take his shoes off, I've had him 4 years and this year I have left him bare for the first time. He came in 2 months ago and I worked him in the sand school and then braved taking him for a walk down the lanes, he didn't stumble or hesitate once!! He has been out competing still barefoot and is fine. He does show occasional soreness over VERY stoney ground but one or two of my others show this to. I'm going to try and keep him bare for as long as possible. My farrier is happy, I am happy and so is my pony!!

His feet crumbled as well where the nails had been in his hoof but while he was out his feet grew and these grew out. Since being able to hack on hard ground his feet seem a lot tougher.

I don't feed him any supplements as I'm a bit of a feed-phobe as he lives off fresh air so can't recommend any feed/supplements, but I've heard people have had great results from some. I alternate my hoof oils and put it on probably twice a week, I rarely stick to using just one but personally I only do this to make myself feel better, it comes with correct diet and management :)

FYI I also have a connie whom when i first bought we didn't have a paddock and only ever hacked. His feet are fantastic and my farrier is convinced it's from all the hacking on hard ground, think my welsh has been spoilt with a posh riding paddock!
 
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