Should I get some shoes put on him?

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bex1984

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Ponio is unshod, and has been since I got him 3 months ago. When he came he had massive dinner plate style feet as they'd not been trimmed for ages. Old owners said they used to have him shod in the summer and unshod in the winter.

Hoofies were trimmed the week after he arrived and looked a lot tidier although still a bit dinner plate-ish. He was fine unshod, we don't do much roadwork and he didn't have a problem on slightly rougher ground.

Had his 2nd trim a few weeks ago, hoofies now look lovely, back to a normal shape and size BUT he is really feeling the stony/rough ground (he is fine on grass and in the school). They have been trimmed a lot shorter this time.

So, I'm wondering whether to get some front shoes on him as a start but I'm sort of in two minds about it.

Is it likely that he is just adjusting to being unshod properly, as opposed to with giant silly feet, or will he not get better? I don't want to stick shoes on if not necessary, but I don't want him to be uncomfortable....opinions please!
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Thanksies
 
If he is feeling the ground as you say front shoes wont hurt! Dnt forget that in the winter the softness of the ground may cover the need for shoes, but the ground is pretty hard now!
 
I'd wait a week and see if the sensitivity goes away - if not then whack some front shoes on.

All of mine are unshod and a couple of them are careful for the first day or two after they have had their feet trimmed; but only on gravelly ground and are fine on grass, sand or hard dust. After the first few days they settle into their short feet and are absolutely fine.
 
I'd put fronts on - you can always try him without again in the winter. Did they say what work he was doing during these periods? Was he doing roadwork all year round or just in the school in winter?
 
I have just today got fronts put on Beau.

He has dinner plate front feet, and no heels, his feet were fine but before the rain the ground was like stone and he likes to play and dig, hmm, so his feet were becoming cracked.

He then had two huge chunks come off his hooves, the farrier said there wasnt even enough horn there to nail a shoe into.

So after 3 weeks off he was finally shod in front today, his feet look a better shape already and at least they wont get worse!

I would get some fronts.
 
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I'd wait a week and see if the sensitivity goes away - if not then whack some front shoes on.


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I'd be tempted to agree with this...
 
it has been 2 weeks since his last trim, so should i leave it another week or get some shoes ASAP?

We do very little roadwork, I only really ride on grass tracks or in the school, but the track down to the school is stony.

You've all really confirmed what I thought....I think I will get some front shoes on him and see if that helps.
 
Footiness can also be a symptom of low grade laminitis. Your farrier should be able to check for that on Saturday. Does he have any "white" hooves, and if so can you see any evidence of bruising, red or orange colours around it?
 
Thanks ISH_Mad, had a chat with the farrier tonight and he doesn't seem surprised that ponio needs some shoes on his "big flat feet" (his words). He will defo check his feet, but pony is totally sound on grass, in the school and on the road, it's just very stony ground that is the problem.
 
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