silverbreeze
Well-Known Member
Ok, I know the whole barefoot and shod debate has been discussed in length on these forums but I need to ask for peoples opinions specific to my situation.
6 year old home bred TB/WB x ID, naturally forehandy with big shoulders and base narrow, toe in conformation. Never had any lameness but threw a massive splint last year, most likely as an effect of her conformation. Obviously I have no evidence to back this up other than what I am looking at
I have always had her barefoot and she appears to be fine but a few people have commented that she would benefit from being shod to encourage straighter placement of the foot. She plaits slightly when she moves and clearly drops on the outside of the feet first, you can see the way her feet grow.
You can clearly see the whopper on this photo and the movement that she has from the front. Excuse my face, I find dressage incredibly demanding, especially squeezed into my very small jacket!
My biggest concern is the long term effects of her movement on the rest of her body, I can't remember if she was like this from birth as I didn't really have much to do with her until it came time to break her. I have a sneaking suspicion she wasn't this bad as she was quite tiny as a youngster without the muscle tone she has put on in the last couple of years. I know that there is a difference of opinions on the effects of confirmation and wear and tear but I know which way i think (mainly due to my conformation faults and the issues it causes me)
I am working on her way of going through her schooling etc but I am now torn between what to do. A number of people have told me to try her in shoes; physio, trainer and vets but I am of conflicting opions with myself. if we adjust the foot placement with shoes then what effect will it have on her joints etc throughout the leg and shoulder etc that have been used to how they are for all this time, or have they!?! Obviously it would be done over time but I am scared to mess too much on a sound horse...
She is not a big mover by any stretch of the imagination and is pretty dainty on her feet. My farrier is coming out tomorrow so we can decide what to do. I know he is happy with her barefoot and I don't normally disagree with him but it concerns me as so many other people have said I should shoe her.
6 year old home bred TB/WB x ID, naturally forehandy with big shoulders and base narrow, toe in conformation. Never had any lameness but threw a massive splint last year, most likely as an effect of her conformation. Obviously I have no evidence to back this up other than what I am looking at
I have always had her barefoot and she appears to be fine but a few people have commented that she would benefit from being shod to encourage straighter placement of the foot. She plaits slightly when she moves and clearly drops on the outside of the feet first, you can see the way her feet grow.
You can clearly see the whopper on this photo and the movement that she has from the front. Excuse my face, I find dressage incredibly demanding, especially squeezed into my very small jacket!
My biggest concern is the long term effects of her movement on the rest of her body, I can't remember if she was like this from birth as I didn't really have much to do with her until it came time to break her. I have a sneaking suspicion she wasn't this bad as she was quite tiny as a youngster without the muscle tone she has put on in the last couple of years. I know that there is a difference of opinions on the effects of confirmation and wear and tear but I know which way i think (mainly due to my conformation faults and the issues it causes me)
I am working on her way of going through her schooling etc but I am now torn between what to do. A number of people have told me to try her in shoes; physio, trainer and vets but I am of conflicting opions with myself. if we adjust the foot placement with shoes then what effect will it have on her joints etc throughout the leg and shoulder etc that have been used to how they are for all this time, or have they!?! Obviously it would be done over time but I am scared to mess too much on a sound horse...
She is not a big mover by any stretch of the imagination and is pretty dainty on her feet. My farrier is coming out tomorrow so we can decide what to do. I know he is happy with her barefoot and I don't normally disagree with him but it concerns me as so many other people have said I should shoe her.