Shoes off - but considering putting them back on

[Under-the-radar]

I am hoping I can get some helpful advice for my mare - without being barefoot taliban'd

My mare has had her shoes off for 3 months - she is 20 but has been retired from competition at the end of last year - still very much sound, but other conformation issues meant I didn't want to keep working her to competition level. My decision to take her shoes off was largely due to lack of time over the winter months to keep her ridden - so will admit this was more for my ££ benefit.

I have ridden her a few times in the last few weeks - no where far, just 10 minutes around the village, conscious of not asking too much of her on the road at this stage. I had ridden her out on the road as she was obviously feeling well in the field. The first couple of times out she really strode out and was quite happy. When I rode her out last thursday, she was much more hesitant even on smooth road surface, absent of gravel or rubbish on the road.

Since then, she has been hesitant walking over the concrete out from her stable (stable is rubber matted and she is quite happy stomping up and down on this!). Due to this, I am considering whether I would be better to put shoes back on her when the farrier next comes (2 weeks). It is now getting light enough in the morning / evenings to at least squeeze in a 30 minute ride - but I wouldn't want to hack her for 30 minutes at the moment.

She is being fed Topspec top chop zero - only as a token while my other horses have their feed. She is a good doer and other than when walking on the concrete, is quite a happy bunny.

Given that my farrier will be due next in April, would I be better to re-shoe? Or am I being overly sensitive and see how she fares once the ground is less wet? I know I see a lot of posts about people just going barefoot that have a period of time that their horse is sore on their feet - but at what point do you draw a line for their comfort?

(FWIW our driving pony is unshod and my younger horse is only shod in front - so I am not adverse to unshod - just not sure what to do for the best for my older mare).

 

[Orangehorse]

My horse has had his shoes on off, on off and now currently shod.

To start, I would say that 3 months with a 20 year old in less than optimum conditions is expecting too much. It is often the case that they are fine for a couple of rides and then start to get a bit sore. Feet take a lot more to get "fit" than the rest of the horse, the foot has to first become healthy and strong and then start to grow to adapt to the amount of work that it is having. You could buy boots to ride her in, which will allow her to have the exercise in comfort which will obviously make her foot start to strengthen and alter in shape and grow a stronger foot altogether. Some trimmers advise boots and work, others will advise do without boots and increase the work gradually. Boots are quite pricey and depending on make can be tricky to fit and I found are not very good in sticky, muddy conditions (one of the reasons for my recent re-shoeing).

The trouble with farriers over trimmers is that they will always advise you to put the shoes back on! A trimmer on the other hand will really work with you and give you lots of help regarding feed, supplements, etc. to enable you to continue barefoot.

I use the Progressive Earth mineral mix which I started with barefoot and have continued as it contains all the nutrients for a good healthy foot.

I am glad my horse was barefoot, I am sure that he would have had navicular by now if I hadn't taken the first step. But it did restrict what I did with him and I put the shoes back on as I wanted to show him and I was always worrying about his feet, although he was completely sound but I was always worried he wouldn't be able to manage over difficult terrain. I decided that when his competition career finished I would have his shoes off again, which I did and once again he was sound and his feet looked good and strong although not perfect. But I had his shoes on again about a year ago and various pressures meant that I couldn't give him consistent work, so he might not be ridden for 1 week or 2 weeks and his work load varies a lot. My trimmer regretted it, but totally agreed with my reasons and I admit that it is a lot easier to manage him. Also, the way I keep him is the best that I can do, but not really ideal.

So OP, it really depends on how much time and work and how much you really want the horse to remain without shoes. Some adapt really easily, some never really become completely 100% without boots.

 

[Under-the-radar]

Thank you orangehorse - I appreciate you taking the time to reply

She has been barefoot in the past - but probably not for at least 8/9 years. I have used boots in the past - but I do like charging around in the muddy woods when I get a chance - which I know the boots aren't great for.

Both my current farrier and previous farrier have been very supportive of being unshod. Previous farrier didn't shoe his own horses and suggested taking the pony's shoes off - so I like to think I have open minded farrier(s)!

Yes - I agree that this time of year is not ideal. The last time she had shoes off was at a much better time of year - but she was struggling with the ground being harder just being out in the field. Plus our grass can be quite rich being an old lay, so the sugars seem to tip them over the edge quite quickly. Grazing muzzles were attempted - but all were removed and destroyed (chestnut mare!! )

I think the other reason tipping me back towards putting shoes on are her other conformation issues - namely a very sway back, which is very clearly worsening with age. Her back hasn't given her any issues and I have found saddling solutions to keep her comfortable and in work. But I can see there will be a time when her back is too bad and I can't comfortably saddle her to ride (and with her withers and shaped back there is no way I would ride her bareback - plus she would kill me just in the attempt to get on bare back lol). I can't help but wonder whether we would be better with shoes to keep her active little and often now while she is sound and her back isn't causing trouble.

Really appreciate your reply

 

[SusieT]

if she's not comfortable you need to protect the foot with something or not ride on concrete- up to you if you shoe/boot/dont ride

 

[Polos Mum]

I would try boots again - they have come on a lot in recent years - you can pop them on to do the odd hack when the weather is sensible and a decent second hand pair will be less than a pair of shoes ! My 22 y/o untied himself in my neighbours yard and took himself off (in full tack!) for a 15 min total loony blast around her front field in muddy parts - spinning - sliding stops the works - in between my horror I was really impressed with how well his boots stayed on !

 

[Under-the-radar]

if she's not comfortable you need to protect the foot with something or not ride on concrete- up to you if you shoe/boot/dont ride

Yes agreed . She is priority no 1 no matter what.

I would try boots again - they have come on a lot in recent years - you can pop them on to do the odd hack when the weather is sensible and a decent second hand pair will be less than a pair of shoes ! My 22 y/o untied himself in my neighbours yard and took himself off (in full tack!) for a 15 min total loony blast around her front field in muddy parts - spinning - sliding stops the works - in between my horror I was really impressed with how well his boots stayed on !

I will have a look - I used to use the Easyboot Epics and Bares which don't seem to be as common as they were when I used them before. Thank you for your help

 

[splashgirl45]

if her back has dipped have you considered getting her tested for cushings? i assumed my mares back was just dipping because of age as she was 20, but i got her tested and it was due to cushings so the feet sensitivity may be linked to cushings and may be sorted by medication...

 

[paddy555]

Yes agreed . She is priority no 1 no matter what.



I will have a look - I used to use the Easyboot Epics and Bares which don't seem to be as common as they were when I used them before. Thank you for your help

the bares had terrible grip, the epics if they were the old style sole pattern were also awful. If you want to charge around muddy tracks try renegades. I have found they have the best grip.

Have you checked out the thrush situation especially in the central sulchus? That can make a barefoot horse very sore.

 

[Under-the-radar]

if her back has dipped have you considered getting her tested for cushings? i assumed my mares back was just dipping because of age as she was 20, but i got her tested and it was due to cushings so the feet sensitivity may be linked to cushings and may be sorted by medication...

Interesting. No I haven't. Her back has been progressively dipping over the last 12 years - it's not a sudden thing, but I will certainly look into this. Thank you x

 

[Under-the-radar]

the bares had terrible grip, the epics if they were the old style sole pattern were also awful. If you want to charge around muddy tracks try renegades. I have found they have the best grip.

Have you checked out the thrush situation especially in the central sulchus? That can make a barefoot horse very sore.

I used the bares and epics for 2/3 years and only had a problem with grip on them when they began to be worn on the base to be honest - but thank you for the info on the renegades - will do some research. I have a feeling that her foot shape didn't appear to be ideal the last time I looked though.

No signs of thrush but will investigate further. Thank you 😊

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

if her back has dipped have you considered getting her tested for cushings? i assumed my mares back was just dipping because of age as she was 20, but i got her tested and it was due to cushings so the feet sensitivity may be linked to cushings and may be sorted by medication...

My mare hasn't had back shoes on for 6 yrs and has been fine but I took her front shoes off in Jan 16 and she struggled everywhere except in the field. We tried boots but she has enormous round feet and the only boots that fit her brushed together and spun round as she walked. However she has been on Prascend for Cushing's since the end of Oct and is now completely sound on the stoniest of tracks.
I recommende having your horse tested.

 

[Boulty]

In all honesty if you are feeling that her time left as a ridden horse is limited due to her other issues and that she copes well in shoes then at this stage in her life there is nothing wrong with putting shoes on for summer and taking them off in winter when you're not doing as much / when the grass is less lush and ground is softer. There is also nothing wrong with persevering with transitioning her or with trying boots. You could look into trying her on a good quality supplement such as progressive earth or forageplus to see if that helps.

 

[Auslander]

In all honesty if you are feeling that her time left as a ridden horse is limited due to her other issues and that she copes well in shoes then at this stage in her life there is nothing wrong with putting shoes on for summer and taking them off in winter when you're not doing as much / when the grass is less lush and ground is softer. There is also nothing wrong with persevering with transitioning her or with trying boots. You could look into trying her on a good quality supplement such as progressive earth or forageplus to see if that helps.

A very sensible, balanced answer - and exactly what I was about to say. My horse is 20 this year, and I know his time as a ridden horse is limited. He won't stand up the work needed to transition him to barefoot, and I also don't feel like it's fair to put him through being footsore. If he was a young horse, I'd do it, but I want him to be as comfortable as possible for the rest of his life (he's had years of chronic pain, and has only just started looking and feeling comfortable) - so he has fronts on.

 

[ycbm]

In all honesty if you are feeling that her time left as a ridden horse is limited due to her other issues and that she copes well in shoes then at this stage in her life there is nothing wrong with putting shoes on for summer and taking them off in winter when you're not doing as much / when the grass is less lush and ground is softer. There is also nothing wrong with persevering with transitioning her or with trying boots. You could look into trying her on a good quality supplement such as progressive earth or forageplus to see if that helps.

A great answer.

But for other people with older horses, please don't assume that they will find transitioning difficult. I have a friend who took the shoes off a twenty three year old mare and she never had a sore day. She also stopped grunting when being hacked downhill. To get an idea if you might have one like this, try walking them around before the farrier has trimmed for the new shoes. If they are sore straight away, then you will know that it would take time and might be kinder just to keep the shoes on.

 

[Goldenstar]

At her age I would shoe perhaps just in front the first time and see how she goes like that .
It's very bad for an oldie to be uncomfortable it ages them.

 

[Auslander]

A great answer.

But for other people with older horses, please don't assume that they will find transitioning difficult. I have a friend who took the shoes off a twenty three year old mare and she never had a sore day. She also stopped grunting when being hacked downhill. To get an idea if you might have one like this, try walking them around before the farrier has trimmed for the new shoes. If they are sore straight away, then you will know that it would take time and might be kinder just to keep the shoes on.

That is true. I did try for quite a while with my boy - he was fine on tarmac, but struggles on stony ground, and won't wear boots. The day he struggled over a stony bit, stopped, politely turned himself round, and headed for home, was the day I called the farrier and had his fronts put back on.

 

[ester]

I don't know, it didn't age Frank at all he transitioned at 19 and he spent 6 months in boots on tarmac (though not helped by local resurfacing!).

OP I would test for cushings before proceeding, I did when I transitioned F as I wanted to know if that was going to be a complicating factor that I needed to consider. It depends on a bit on your yard set up too I think an how much hard surface they have to do to conduct normal life as we had them at home we only had a few strides of concreted and grass covered hardcore to negotiate to get to the field and he never concerned me doing that.

Given the change in yours is as she was ok and had been doing rides of similar length with no ill effects I would wonder if there is anything that has caused that change?

Boots have definitely come on, I have done all sorts in easyboot gloves. I wouldn't but someone hunted their haflinger on here in them too.