Stiff After going Barefoot ??

[Horseback Rider]

My TB had his backshoes off on Saturday. Unfortunatly I hadn't been able to ride him all week as he cut his leg on the monday and as usual it swelled right up (he is accident prone and should be in bubble wrap) !

Anyway I didn't ride on Sunday as I though it was a bit to soon after shoes off but have noticed when bringing him in this week he seems quite stiff in his hind quarters ? Just wondering if anyone thinks it could be to do with the shoes coming off or that he hasn't done any work ??

Am desperatly trying to find a jockey for him mid week but so far no luck ;-(

 

[ameeyal]

Was the cut on his back leg? as it might be that. Has your tb typical feet for his breed, and is there any stones/ruts in his field, as it does sound like he has sore feet, i wouldnt ride him in a sand school just yet as sand it very abrasive to their feet, smooth roads are fine to start with or hoof boots.

 

[cptrayes]

You have completely altered the way he moves by taking off his shoes. He is readjusting the proprioception in his muscles, tendons and joints (see uknhcp.myfastforum.com for a thread on this running now). It is very, very common to see an altered, sometimes quite awkward, hind end gait. He may start to lift his hind feet very high before he puts them down. He may "stand under" for quite a few weeks. Movement will help him learn and keep him from getting stiff. I agree about the roads. I have a grit surface in my school and I don't have a problem with newly unshod horses on that. If roads aren't an option and he is sound in there I'd give it a go, just listen to him.

 

[Horseback Rider]

Thanks I suppose I didn't realise how much of a change it would be for him. Our Sand school is more like a swamp atm so roads are the only option.

CPT - I copied and pasted your link but couldn't find the thread ?

 

[Kallibear]

The stiffness will be more pronounced too if he's been forced into an unnatural foot balance with shoes (it may LOOK good but not ness the one he needs) and it will take him a while to decompensate. Or he could just be stiff from a lack of exercise, esp if he's spent time shut in his stable.

But he should NOT be sore at all and if he's uncomfortable you need to sort it asap. Being sore is NOT part of going barefoot, is not acceptable and don't help them at all. They can only heal the feet and start to use them correctly if they are comfortable.

If he's comfortable then lots of gentle exercise on a comfortable surfaces (get boots and pads asap if he's footy or sore, or have the shoes back on if you're not able/willing to go down that route) will do him the world of good.