Strengthening hooves?

PurplePickle

PurplePickle

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I've got a pony coming back into work she is barefoot and has been all her life but if she stands on a stone or a bit of uneven terrain she is uncomfortable and trying to go towards softer ground.

My options as far as I see it are shod on the front, farrier said this should be fine but I'm reluctant because she's been barefoot all her life to start shoeing now

Hoof boots, never used them , do seem expensive outlay but have heard good reports but also see a lot second hand for sale


Some form of hoof hardener

I'm old school my normal thought would be shoe and be done with it but Im umming and arring till the cows come home, what do you think?
 
PurplePickle said:
I've got a pony coming back into work she is barefoot and has been all her life but if she stands on a stone or a bit of uneven terrain she is uncomfortable and trying to go towards softer ground.

My options as far as I see it are shod on the front, farrier said this should be fine but I'm reluctant because she's been barefoot all her life to start shoeing now

Hoof boots, never used them , do seem expensive outlay but have heard good reports but also see a lot second hand for sale


Some form of hoof hardener

I'm old school my normal thought would be shoe and be done with it but Im umming and arring till the cows come home, what do you think?
Click to expand...

I am looking at your post, and it seems to me your pony is unshod. When a pony is barefoot he is managed to allow him to work without shoes. A native pony in light work should not need shoes if he is fed a diet of high fibre low/sugar forage plus mins and vitamins.
He needs to have regular work, maybe 20 mins on tarmac every day.
Hoof boots are not expensive, you only use them when necessary, or if necessary.
If your pony is over sensitive to stones, she may need the diet altered, to reduce sugar intake.
Sorry to nit-pick, I am hoping to change my forum name to Ms N.I.T- Pick

I have had my boy barefoot for three months [was unshod for six months] and his hoof wall is much harder than it was, I can hardly rasp it! The sole is now resistant to wear, though he can feel a sharp gravel stone.
 
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you strengthen feet firstly by conditioning them with work just in the way you would get the rest of the horse fit you do the same with the feet. So you would start with short periods of walking on smooth tarmac and longer periods on grass building up to longer periods on the tarmac and then trotting. Then moving onto slightly more difficult surfaces such as stones etc. All the time gradually increasing the difficulty sufficient to challenge the feet but not too much to make them sore. If you want to do lots more than the feet can cope with then boot them for part of the time until they reach sufficient level of fitness to work without.

Secondly if she continues to be sore on stones then it will be a case of looking at the diet, considering the hard feed and supplements and if still sore looking at the amount of grass being eaten.

curious to know why you are asking what colour the pony is?
 
PurplePickle said:
I've got a pony coming back into work she is barefoot and has been all her life but if she stands on a stone or a bit of uneven terrain she is uncomfortable and trying to go towards softer ground.

My options as far as I see it are shod on the front, farrier said this should be fine but I'm reluctant because she's been barefoot all her life to start shoeing now

Hoof boots, never used them , do seem expensive outlay but have heard good reports but also see a lot second hand for sale


Some form of hoof hardener

I'm old school my normal thought would be shoe and be done with it but Im umming and arring till the cows come home, what do you think?
Click to expand...

Pics of the side (grovel in the dirt for the right angle) and a sole view...in focus...would be helpful.

Has the sensitivity started since the frosty weather and what is she fed on?
 
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