Sorry another 'barefoot thread' - a long one!

ImmyS

ImmyS

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I apologise that these threads have been done to death but I have lots of questions and would be really grateful for some answers.

Basically I am thinking seriously about taking my 5year old tb barefoot, eventually anyway. She is sound enough in shoes however I feel she can be quite tottery on tight circles and I never feel she is 100% 'happy' in shoes. She has 'typical' tb feet, plate feet with under run heels however they are not the worst I've seen with the horn being pretty good quality, her hinds being better than her fronts however.

I have the farrier coming out in a week and would like to have her backs taken off, progress with those and hopefully take her fronts off sometime next year. So if I do have the backs taken what should i expect from the farrier, and when he comes to trim what should or should not expect him to do etc... What sort of exercise should I be doing to help the feet, we are generally limited to shorter road hacks due to the ground so I figured this would be good stimulation for them?

If all goes well and I decide to take her fronts off, is there a better time to do it, e.g avoiding the spring grass or rock hard ground of summer or is not too important? She already has what could be considered a 'barefoot' diet but it would be tweaked to suit.

Also if I take her barefoot in front and she needs boots, which boots do you find best? How/who would measure her for boots etc..?

Last but not least who here has barefoot tbs?! Share your stories.

Sorry for the epic post and thank you in advance!
 
If you haven't already then do read "Feet First". I have a barefoot tb and she's fine in winter but I have to watch her in summer with the grass, diet and movement is key. Low sugar and low starch. I love Easyboot Gloves but you need the fit kit to work out the correct size as the chart is useless :)
This forum is very helpful http://phoenixhorse.myfastforum.org/index.php
 
Clava said:
If you haven't already then do read "Feet First". I have a barefoot tb and she's fine in winter but I have to watch her in summer with the grass, diet and movement is key. Low sugar and low starch. I love Easyboot Gloves but you need the fit kit to work out the correct size as the chart is useless :)
This forum is very helpful http://phoenixhorse.myfastforum.org/index.php
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Thank you, will look at all your suggestions :)
 
Diet is everything - you have to get that sorted before you remove shoes - second getting that book, it's my bible. Let us know how you get on :)

Good idea to do a search on here -lots of peeps have given their advice on other threads. Look out of posts by Oberon x
 
ImmyS said:
So if I do have the backs taken what should i expect from the farrier, and when he comes to trim what should or should not expect him to do etc...
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For the first cycle post shoe removal I would be happy for him to just remove the shoes and do nothing else. The hooves won't look pretty, but the excess wall can provide extra protection while the hooves are putting some sole down. Otherwise, just a gentle rasping around the wall is the max I would expect. No frog or sole trimming and no 'balancing'.

ImmyS said:
What sort of exercise should I be doing to help the feet, we are generally limited to shorter road hacks due to the ground so I figured this would be good stimulation for them?
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Any and all movement within her comfort is fine. Stick to soft/smooth ground for the first two weeks in order to lay some sole down and protect the coffin bone. If she's got a thin sole we don't want her standing on a rock and bruising the sole. After two weeks you should be safe - just keep an eye on her comfort levels and judge your next move by how she feels.

ImmyS said:
If all goes well and I decide to take her fronts off, is there a better time to do it, e.g avoiding the spring grass or rock hard ground of summer or is not too important? She already has what could be considered a 'barefoot' diet but it would be tweaked to suit.
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Generally now and winter is the best time. Spring is the most challenging time as the sugar levels in the grass can play havoc with the feet. Summer can continue in this theme with some horses. It's not impossible by any means - but it can make it more scary at that time of year :o.

ImmyS said:
Also if I take her barefoot in front and she needs boots, which boots do you find best? How/who would measure her for boots etc..?
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There are videos on YouTube as to how to measure the different boots. Generally Cavellos perform well as their fit is more forgiving for hooves that are newly deshod and changing. The best advice would come from Lucy at The Saddlery Shop though as she specialises in selling boots. You can pick up some second hand and peruse the Boot Bible thread here
http://phoenixhorse.myfastforum.org/index.php?sid=aef674bec72d73a590928efbdc336097
 
Thank you for your detailed reply and I'll read through your pm which is great. Making me feel more comfortable and confident about doing it!
 
Take pics every month (from ground level and above the sole) and keep the old shoes.

It's really helpful to watch the hooves progress that way.

You'll be surprised how the old shoes wouldn't fit any more after a year barefoot.
 
I'll keep a photo diary of her journey definitely, just want to get everything right and do it gradually :) thanks again for your advice
 
ImmyS said:
I'll keep a photo diary of her journey definitely, just want to get everything right and do it gradually :) thanks again for your advice
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It's not for your benefit :rolleyes:.

It's for mine :D

I love watching how they change and learning what went right or wrong in the process ;).
 
Well I'll keep you updated, shoes will be off on Saturday so ill take some photos of the starting point! :) fronts will coming off this time next year hopefully as I think they will be trickier and want to get her comfortable on her hinds first, but that's the plan anyway. Thanks again
 
I have 5yo barefoot tb. He's been shoeless for 6 months now and i have recently seen a big step forward and its the best thing i could have done. He hasnt used his hoof boots for the last 3 weeks and been ok. Boots have been a godsend though and when we start to hack out he will wear them again at first.

My boy didnt have anything up with his feet but like you wasnt 'happy' in shoes and something just niggled at me so off they came.
 
BigGinger said:
I have 5yo barefoot tb. He's been shoeless for 6 months now and i have recently seen a big step forward and its the best thing i could have done. He hasnt used his hoof boots for the last 3 weeks and been ok. Boots have been a godsend though and when we start to hack out he will wear them again at first.

My boy didnt have anything up with his feet but like you wasnt 'happy' in shoes and something just niggled at me so off they came.
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That's exactly the same as my girl, 5 year old tb and feel I should do it sooner rather than later, like you there's just something niggling that she is 100%. Well done on the progress with your boy, what hoof boots do you use? :)
 
Clava said:
If you haven't already then do read "Feet First". I have a barefoot tb and she's fine in winter but I have to watch her in summer with the grass, diet and movement is key. Low sugar and low starch. I love Easyboot Gloves but you need the fit kit to work out the correct size as the chart is useless :)
This forum is very helpful http://phoenixhorse.myfastforum.org/index.php
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Who is the author as when I googled the title I got several hits by different authors
 
My lad wasn't happy in shoes at all but seems I was the only person who felt he wasn't right. Under nerve blocks he moved fab. It's been 3 months and he is so much better and striding out fab. I'm really happy ( he's a 9 yr old tb) my mare has her hinds of and fronts are coming of soon due to how well my lad has done.
 
thatsmygirl said:
My lad wasn't happy in shoes at all but seems I was the only person who felt he wasn't right. Under nerve blocks he moved fab. It's been 3 months and he is so much better and striding out fab. I'm really happy ( he's a 9 yr old tb) my mare has her hinds of and fronts are coming of soon due to how well my lad has done.
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Thank you, really reassuring, looking forward to getting her backs off to get started with the process!do you use hoof boots with yours?
 
Tnavas said:
Thanks - will give mum the details for my Xmas present
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lol.gif
 
I bought some old mac's g2 which i actually quite like, they are abit bulky but really feel secure and dont think the would come off while riding.. i would like to get him some easyboot gloves but his feet are still changing (they need to be a
perfect fit). So the o es he has currently are staying for a while!
 
I have nothing to add re: diet/timing/what to do etc as there are far more knowledgeable people already posting good advice :)

But I will share some pics and background of my barefoot TB :cool:

I'm *very* lucky that Fig had good feet to start with, was very happy in shoes, no lameness/soreness issues that needed resolving or alleviating. They are turned out every day for at least 7 hours approx, on good quality grazing (ex dairy pasture) that drains well.

The good feet + good grazing means I don't have to do much micro managing diet wise :o (lucky ole me!). Fig has mag ox added to his evening feed, as a calmer, but I have noticed a tighter white line since making this part of his diet.

Within a month of taking his shoes off, he felt different to ride; was really pushing off the surface during schooling and striding out. We've built up to 40 minutes of hacking, on tarmac and stone tracks with no probs.

I would definitely keep a photo diary - it is amazing watching the changes!! These are pics of Figs feet, top pics taken January (straight out of racing plates) and the bottom pics taken September.

Right fore
RFside.png

RFunder.png


Right hind
RHside.png

RHunder.png


Left fore
LFside.png

LFunder.png


Left hind
LHside.png

LHunder.png


Good luck, keep us updated :)
 
good quality grazing (ex dairy pasture)
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Unfortunately there are many barefoot horses which do not cope at all well with ex dairy pasure and will be footie all spring and summer and autumn if they are on it, especially full time. Some horses are fine on it, and most are OK if turned out at night instead of during the day, but it you get on fine during the winter, Immys, and then he goes footie in spring, the first suspect is always the grass.
 
Also just another question, if she is uncomfortable during turnout is it ok for them to wear hoof boots during turnout, would they get pulled off in mud? Etc..
 
cptrayes said:
Unfortunately there are many barefoot horses which do not cope at all well with ex dairy pasure and will be footie all spring and summer and autumn if they are on it, especially full time. Some horses are fine on it, and most are OK if turned out at night instead of during the day, but it you get on fine during the winter, Immys, and then he goes footie in spring, the first suspect is always the grass.
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In fact I would be wonding if this is the cause of your horse's potteryness now.... have you tried keeping her off the grass for a few days to see if she comes sounder?

My boy goes footie at this time of year and it a continue all winter and into spring. I find he is at his best in the height of summer when the grass is all burnt off and has stopped growing... this year being the exception obviously but I did manage to get him out overnight at least and have him remain sound. Diet management is paramount with my boy...

Re the fronts it is definitely worth playing it by ear as to when you take them off.
 
CBFan said:
In fact I would be wonding if this is the cause of your horse's potteryness now.... have you tried keeping her off the grass for a few days to see if she comes sounder?

My boy goes footie at this time of year and it a continue all winter and into spring. I find he is at his best in the height of summer when the grass is all burnt off and has stopped growing... this year being the exception obviously but I did manage to get him out overnight at least and have him remain sound. Diet management is paramount with my boy...

Re the fronts it is definitely worth playing it by ear as to when you take them off.
Click to expand...

It's not me who's horse is kept on the ex dairy pasture grass... Our grass is pretty crap, but I've had my girl through spring summer until now and she's never changed. She's completely sound other than turning tightly she's ever so slightly hesitant, it's probably not even noticable to most.
 
cptrayes said:
Unfortunately there are many barefoot horses which do not cope at all well with ex dairy pasure and will be footie all spring and summer and autumn if they are on it, especially full time. Some horses are fine on it, and most are OK if turned out at night instead of during the day, but it you get on fine during the winter, Immys, and then he goes footie in spring, the first suspect is always the grass.
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She* :)
 
nikkimariet, may I ask how the ex dairy pasture is managed? Just interested. :)

It's great to hear all these fab stories. Good luck op. :)
 
ImmyS said:
It's not me who's horse is kept on the ex dairy pasture grass... Our grass is pretty crap, but I've had my girl through spring summer until now and she's never changed. She's completely sound other than turning tightly she's ever so slightly hesitant, it's probably not even noticable to most.
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Sounds like collateral ligaments, as a guess. Great prospect for a barefoot rehab, but expect some strange foot balance changes side-to-side when you take off the fronts :)


When you read Foot First don't be too swayed by the seaweed mentioned in many of the diets. Thinking has changed a lot since the book was written. Seaweed contains a lot of iron and iodine and neither are good unless you know that your feeding is low in them. Iodine can cause excess thryoid activity and iron can cause copper deficiency.

The rest of the book is great!


ps sorry I caused the confusion over who has what grass!
 
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