Shoes off, 3 weeks in

sheep

sheep

Well-Known Member
Joined
31 August 2011
Messages
5,995
Location
Northern Ireland
Visit site
Have received some great advice so far, so thanks to all.

Just thought I would upload a few pics taken today; my boy has had his shoes off now for 3 weeks and is doing very well. In the past ten days or so we have stepped up the work a wee bit are are now doing a mix of walking on the road (in hand), lunging and long reining. He seems very happy so far :)

So, pics below.

Front right:

Frontright_zpsa464d10c.jpg


FRsole_zps9f76e3d6.jpg



Front left:

Frontleft_zps12473bfd.jpg


FLsole_zps049ef00b.jpg



Back right:

Backright_zps43870e58.jpg


BRsole_zpsa3f13300.jpg




Back left:

Backleft_zps0754eff1.jpg


BLsole_zps3abb4b15.jpg




Any comments appreciated; the original thread of him on day one of no shoes is here:
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?659350-Pictures-Shoes-are-off

There are a couple of things that I *think* have improved but I'm a total numpty so I can't say for sure! Any input is welcomed!
 
Can I be nosier and request another view please, of back of foot showing frog/height of heels /general beefiness of palmar if that makes sense. I think he is already starting to grow a steeper angle from the top, it will be interesting to see what he does with that excess bar and how the heels come back (the former may hang around until frogs are good enough to take over).
 
Yeah of course, I will get that later or tomorrow! :) It's hard to tell because my photos aren't great! His left leg was so wonky on the xrays, I'm dying to see what that hoof will do (if anything!)..
 
I do like taking pics to see the changes; I compared these to the ones from day one and (I think??) there seems to be changes most noticably around his heels? It is very interesting to see the progress..

He is doing really well, he is in really good form and walking out nicely. He is careful on very rocky surfaces (we have a couple of small unavoidable patches at the yard) but happy enough on stony surfaces and brilliant in the field, concrete and sandschool. I have been continuing to walk him out down the road where possible and doing a wee bit of loose schooling which he seems to enjoy, coincidence or not but he seems to have developed a new gear in the trot, really powering through and flicking his toes out, before he was quite 'reserved' in front so that is lovely to see.

He has also become some sort of ballet dancer, I am forever taking pictures of him when I have him loose to see how he is moving - this is today's canter shot- please excuse the dodgy editing, I got carried away on photobucket!

balletdancer_zps7775f171.jpg
 
I have just taken one of mine bare behind (thinking to do hinds first then fronts later) and have to keep reminding Myself not to expect too much too soon so may I ask by way of comparison - are you riding yet or are you doing inhand only for a while?
 
Kelpie said:
I have just taken one of mine bare behind (thinking to do hinds first then fronts later) and have to keep reminding Myself not to expect too much too soon so may I ask by way of comparison - are you riding yet or are you doing inhand only for a while?
Click to expand...

Not riding yet - we will be sticking to inhand for the next month I reckon and if all continues to go well I will get on board at the start of June, hopefully. We have a few other issues to contend with, so I want to give him a bit of a chance to build up a bit more muscle before I ask him to work.

His shoes came off in the first place because remedial shoeing wasn't actually doing anything for him - thought I may as well try an alternative approach, touch wood so far it seems to be working for him - we shall see!
 
Also hoof experts - have noticed the epic event line about an inch down in his fronts - I'm guessing that must be from when he had his coffin joint medicated in mid October!
 
Kelpie said:
Ah, fair enough... Hope the rehab goes well! X
Click to expand...

Thank you! If he comes unsound when he starts work, he is happy enough without his shoes anyway so I will retire him; if he stays sound then I will be delighted to potter about, hack, maybe do a bit of dressage. We shall see!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top