Taking hind shoes off....

[HappyDayz]

Now this may seem a stupid question to some but having never done it before i thought I'd ask.

My horse was retired a few months ago and I am keen to take back shoes off. He has very good feet and farrier is booked next week to take them off. Is there anything I ought to be doing differently, to expect or be prepared for? I'm assuming he will be "footy" for a couple of weeks whilst hardening the soles up after having them off.

 

[Primitive Pony]

With back feet, hopefully not. I took my horse's shoes off last summer and he didn't seem to notice the backs.

Ideally make sure his diet is appropriate.

 

[Nicnac]

Why can't you take all 4 shoes off? If horse is retired and turned out they shouldn't be too footy. But as PP says do some research on correct diet.

I took hinds off my ex-racer years ago when he stopped eventing and he's been fine. Unfortunately can't remove fronts and keep him in work.

 

[HappyDayz]

We thought best to do it gradually. He is fed fibre beet with a gastric supplement and biotin supplement currently.

 

[missyclare]

Probably the weakest part the hoof is going to be the frog and the back of the hoof. Heels may be contracted. Shoes are known to do that. Fighting thrush religiously will see that "just removed shoe tenderness" resolved quickly. Be sure the trim is well balanced. Trace minerals, especially copper and zinc are key players in hoof strength. If you've been on the biotin for atleast 6 months, you should start seeing a difference in the new growth. The front feet carry a lot of the weight, but the back feet, once in motion work harder and in general, all hind feet are better developed than the fronts, so have faith and fight thrush. I don't anticipate you'll have any problems.