Shoeing advice please

[crackerjack]

I was just wondering your opinions and advice on this please;

I am wondering whether to go back to having all 4 shoes put on my boy or not

At the moment he is being ridden on weekend only, although in the summer this will go up to 4/5 times a week. His work is mainly hacking (generally 1/3 road work 2/3 tracks). I school him about once a week in a sand school. If on the roads i walk and trot, mostly walk though.

His back feet don't seem to be effected at the moment but i am wondering if shoeing him will have any other benefits? Or will i be better off to wait until the summer and see if no back shoes have more of an effect with the harder ground etc.

Thank you

 

[ColleenIsh]

If hes not being ridden on the roads much and is not doing any trotting then I personally would leave it until more near summer when you will be doing alot more road work .

 

[crackerjack]

Thanks, he is doing a fair bit of trotting on roads, up hills mainly. I think i might wait and see how he gets on.

 

[jemima]

Wait and see how he gets on and consult your farrier.

 

[claireross]

My boy went unshod for 18mths and was fine. I started putting shoes on when the ground got hard and he was a bit foot sore. I would leave them off and go for fronts only and see how he goes. Try using Keratex Hoof Hardner it works really well

 

[crackerjack]

Thanks for the replies! I think i will leave him for a bit and try keratex on him.