Shoes off progress

[sheep]

Hi all,

So, my boy has been unshod now for about six months. He's not in work at present, but there have been some major changes in his feet so thought I would share. They are by no means perfect, but I think they are certainly looking much better! I am sure there is loads of room for improvement, so any comments welcome. The main thing is, he is happy across various surfaces at present, striding out nicely and generally seems happy. He was last trimmed about three weeks ago, apologies for the muddy feet, he was just in from the field.

Off fore before:

Off fore now:

Near fore before:

Near fore now:

Off hind before:

Off hind now:

Near hind before:

Near hind now:

 

[sheep]

Also interesting, is how he is growing a slightly wonky hoof, I think, to compensate for his wonky leg.

Hoof

Xray from last year

And these monstrosities are the hooves I purchased 2 years ago........

 

[SadKen]

I'm no expert but this looks like a radical improvement and a much tighter hoof capsule. The hinds seem particularly improved, good job! I love the fact that his hoof is compensating for the wonkiness!

I'd love to take my girl barefoot, it just makes so much sense as evidenced by the compensation shown above. However when I tried she was incredibly footsore despite a low sugar diet etc. It's a stony track to get to her field and as she's on livery I can't expect the yo to put hoof boots on for the trip every day. sad as I think she'd be much happier in the long run without shoes.

 

[sheep]

Thank you for your comments SadKen! I think I am quite lucky at my yard as it is pretty modern, so lots of concreted paths etc and very few overly stony tracks to worry about. I am also lucky that my farrier is understanding and is letting the hoof do what it wants to do, just tidying it up for me. I am a bit obsessed with taking comparison pictures, I just wish I had taken pictures of his feet when he was shod in the wedges, I reckon he has definitely done the job himself now, would love to see what the vet thinks.. Actually if money were no object, I would definitely xray his feet again to see what is happening on the inside! In any case, we have a much healthier hoof, with lots of frog contact, so I am happy.

 

[nikkimariet]

They look TONS better. Go you!!!

 

[sheep]

They look TONS better. Go you!!!

Thank you so much! I know you keep yours unshod so it's lovely to hear they look good to a trained eye, as opposed to my I-havent-a-clue eyes. Only wish I had the balls to do it sooner.. but horseface is happy so that's the main thing.

 

[sheep]

Anyone else?

Going to take the old boy out in hand today for a "hack". He likes getting out for a nosy and I think some gentle roadwork could really help him.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Gentle roadwork is very good and I'm a big fan of starting off in-hand if required.

IIRC you had been riding him again. Have you had to go back a stage and returned to in-hand work?

 

[sheep]

Gentle roadwork is very good and I'm a big fan of starting off in-hand if required.

IIRC you had been riding him again. Have you had to go back a stage and returned to in-hand work?

You are correct! He was going well but went back to feeling not quite right, so he has had quite a lot of time off in the field. He has been looking much better recently so have decided to go for some in hand work for the next couple of months and see how we go. Long reined him this morning and he was striding out nicely so will introduce some road work soon. I think his feet will probably not improve much more unless I get them working in one way or another! I think the plan for now will be long reining in school / around yard and walk out in hand on roads to see what we an achieve. If I can get him happily hacking, ridden, in walk I will be delighted!

 

[Meowy Catkin]

You did the right thing. I really hope that things progress smoothly and with no blips this time.

 

[sheep]

You did the right thing. I really hope that things progress smoothly and with no blips this time.

Thank you - fingers crossed! Going to take it very slowly. He is such a lovely boy and a super hack so it would be a shame if it doesn't work out, but if it isn't meant to be, then he can resume duties as a field ornament.

 

[LittleBlackMule]

Wow, those 'before' pictures are quite frightening, especially the near hind. Huge, huge improvements already, well done.

 

[sheep]

Wow, those 'before' pictures are quite frightening, especially the near hind. Huge, huge improvements already, well done.

Next time I buy a horse I will be scrutinising its feet - this has been a very educational year for me in terms of hoof health!

Had another long reining session today and he was super - actually he was very keen and forward so I'm very happy. I do enjoy long reining so am happy to keep at it for a couple of months and see what happens.