Shoe decision

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Angelz

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My 7 year old has never been shod, very good self trimming feet BUT he has been so so footy since I brought him back into work about 2 months ago after I broke my back. We are doing more road work than ever, we are on a yard in woods with stomey tracks to get anywhere including to his field, I never thought it would ever even be a consideration BUT dare I even say it........I'm thinking of putting shoes on the fronts :-( I will be gutted to have to do this but it's upsetting how I'm having to drag him along the track to turn out as he's so footy :-( I don't ride on the track but noticed today on Tarmac he is walking on the fallen leaves at the side if the road so he's not comfortable on Tarmac either now :-( hoof boots aren't an option as mud on most our hacks and friend just bought some for her mare and they don't stay on. I dont think hes coping with the extra road work we are doing, I now don't want to ride him apart from beach of ménage.......any thoughts, recommendations much appreciated.
 
We have had a lot of changes this last 6 months, grazing, location, work load, I have changed from blue chip local to horse and pony direct local balancer, but waiting for pro balance, he's now on ff instead of hi fi light. I've calmed a little since earlier and have been untouch with my trimmer who said either give him 6 weeks off or get hoof boots, she recommends easyboot gloves, so I think I might try these, although he will still have to struggle being turned out :-(
 
The right boots should stay on, and I'd suggest there has been some change in diet - even the grass has been especially tricky this year. I'd not want to put shoes on after 7 years barefoot, would seem a real shame. As long as you don't have to rapidly change his workload then I can't see that shoeing is your best option.
 
I'm really struggling with this decision, I've found a store which lets you have a 2 week trial on the easyboot glove, so I'll do that and see how he is, if not a farrier suggested 6 weeks in front shoes then take them off, anyone else heard of that?
 
S bloom, I agree it would be a shame, I'll be gutted but our terrain has changed, we are now on flinty woodland tracks, more road work and there's a different surface in our ménage here, like sandy and gritty, he's ok Intheloop but it is abrasive
 
Brusing takes a while to come out.

I turnout mind in his cavellos, as he can't cope fully bf at the mo.
he is on the right diet and I've been in touch with Oberon through pm alot (actually been stalking her a little!:D) he had a bad abcess that came out of three holes and was walking on his sole in the end so its been a long road with even longer still till be can go completely bf. he is going to have a set of boots for turnout and a set for ridden work so he doesn't ruin on pair and I can clean his feet off before riding.

Maybe do that?
 
Any pics of his feet?

His feed may have molasses in - can you switch to a tried and tested feed?

What's his routine like (how much turnout and when, type of grass, type of forage etc)?
 
TwoTurtleDoves said:
Any pics of his feet?

His feed may have molasses in - can you switch to a tried and tested feed?

What's his routine like (how much turnout and when, type of grass, type of forage etc)?
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Hes out 8am til 4pm at the moment, was out 24/7 for the summer until a month ago, I have never had him out 24/7 before but had no choice as I was injured and couldnt look after him if he was stabled. He has about 5kg of hay, 200g FF and 300g balancer (I have just got pro balance as recommended on here)

I will get feet pic later, I have noticed his toes are more smoothed/rounded off than before but have no idea what it means
 
Rounded off suggests he's self trimming so thats not a problem.

Quite a few horses seem to be struggling at the moment - combination of hard frozen ground and the weird grass growth this year. I certainly wouldnt be wanting to bang shoes on, as he's already sore so why would you risk putting nails in there. And thats aside from the 7 yr thing!
 
I'm having shoes put back on my mare next week, all my others are bare but if a horse is stuggling it's not fair to let them carry on like that. Of course look into diet ect first and I would try boots and see how you get on. Remember though not all boots are the same. Easycare epics are fab and the best boots iv got and would buy time and time again where as the 2 sets of cavellos I have I hate with a passion. My mare does not get on with boots and will not walk in them properly or keep them on for hunting so I'm shoeing her. Keeping them comfy has got to be at the top of the list
 
Angelz said:
Hes out 8am til 4pm at the moment, was out 24/7 for the summer until a month ago, I have never had him out 24/7 before but had no choice as I was injured and couldnt look after him if he was stabled. He has about 5kg of hay, 200g FF and 300g balancer (I have just got pro balance as recommended on here)

I will get feet pic later, I have noticed his toes are more smoothed/rounded off than before but have no idea what it means
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Having been out 24/7 may have had an impact, or possibly the frozen ground/frozen grass may be causing issues. For the first time ever, my 4yo has been footy over rocks, lately :( Bad times.
 
Hoof pics from the side really need to be taken at ground level or it's tough to see anything worthwhile :).

They look like pretty nice hooves but if I were to hazard a guess, it would be that the frogs are a bit weak and squishy at the bottom. When you look from the back - do his frog touch the floor?

I wonder if he is loading heel or flat/toe first?
 
They don't look like healthy weight-bearing frogs or the tightest white line the world has ever seen. First is an exercise/conditioning issue, second is diet related.
 
Thankyou for the replies, Interesting both say frog problem, I will have a look tomorrow if the frogs touch the floor but if the frogs aren't weight bearing now after 7 years, then what do I do to make them so?
 
Angelz said:
Thankyou for the replies, Interesting both say frog problem, I will have a look tomorrow if the frogs touch the floor but if the frogs aren't weight bearing now after 7 years, then what do I do to make them so?
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You work him on surfaces that will press into them (eg sand) and you ride him in boots with special conformable pads in them. And if he has to be in a stable, give him a bed of something that will also press up into his feet.
 
Suspect it's a thrushy issue rather than a long term fault.

The frog can get eaten by infection and shrivel very easily, then it gets taken out of the action, then the heels start to contract around it......

My Tank (10 years old) has been barefoot all his life and gets all the best diet and trimming I can organise. He's never had thrush in his life - but he's suddenly developed a sulcus over the last week :eek:

I am truly offended :D
 
Ok, so beach :-) and I was thinking the easyboot epics with comfort pads? He's always had quite a wide white line, I always have to really check for grit in there as its quite a soft with line too.
 
Has to be the soft bit sof the beach. Where I have ridden at Southport the beach was solid and barely took a footprint! Lucky you to be able to ride regularly on a beach, I am jealous! Two hour trip for me :(
 
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