To shoe or not to shoe - that is the question?

[Greylegs]

I have a 10yo, chunky, ID cross type mare who is shod in front. She's in light work - a bit of hacking (mostly off road), school work etc. We don't compete or jump. She is shod in front only. Also, she lives on a lovely livery yard where I have a very good working relationship with the YO and the other liveries.

We had the vet today for horsey's routine flu jabs and the vet expressed a bit of concern about the condition of her hind feet - which isn't great I have to admit. She has a crack in one hoof which is taking its time to grow out, and the hoof walls are generally a bit poor and chipped. I'm working with my farrier to attempt to correct this over time, but vet has suggested she is shod behind to allow the hoof quality to improve with shoes to protect them. I'm not averse to shoeing generally. However ...

The horse is turned out with her best pal - another cob type mare who is also barefoot behind - and they get on really well together, enjoy each other's company and have a good bond and friendship without being too clingy. Either I, or the other horse's owner, can happily take one of them out without the other being silly: all's good. The two are also stable neighbours when they're in. I am keen for this situation to continue, as is the other livery, as we both like the idea of them being friends in their own little herd. But ..... YO has said she would separate them if I have my mare shod behind, for fear of possible kick injuries. The two have been living amicably together for several months with absolutely no aggression or any sign that they would ever kick each other, but, of course, there's a first time for everything. I have not yet had the opportunity to discuss this with my neighbour.

So - (option A) - do I shoe my horse behind and spilt her up from her best pal: she would be turned out on her own in this case. Or - (option B) leave her unshod behind and turned out with her friend, and find some other way to work on the hoof situation - boots, hoof supplements? - all ideas considered. I am due to discuss this with my farrier early next week, but meanwhile I would welcome any opinions.

 

[Sealine]

If she really can't stay with her friend when she's shod behind I'd go for option B and get some hoof boots. I'm not a fan of individual turn out.

 

[Arzada]

Option B

 

[Tiddlypom]

Another for option B. I fully understand the YO’s stance on hind shoes and turnout.

 

[ihatework]

Boot, supplement to improve the foot and leave unshod.

 

[SpotsandBays]

B for me too, have a discussion with your farrier on what can be done to help improve. Maybe a shorter trim cycle

 

[Tarragon]

B for me too. It sounds like most of her hind feet issues could be addressed with the right sort of feed and more regular trimming.

 

[P.forpony]

Definitely B for me.
Feet can be improved with diet, exercise and helpful farriery.
Individual turnout of a herd animal is detrimental to their wellbeing in a way that can't be fixed with a supplement!

 

[Nancykitt]

Definitely B. Shoeing won't 'solve' any hoof problems - it might mask them for a while, but IMO it's not worth giving up your current turnout arrangements.
Hoof boots, hoof supplements and correct trimming are likely to help.
Also might be worth looking at diet - I'm not pretending to be an expert and there are barefoot experts on here that know far more than I do, but our barefoot trimmer advised us to eliminate alfalfa and molasses. It's certainly made a difference to our lads.

 

[HighFive]

Hoof boots. And I'd be checking the crack in the hind for something like a seedy toe infection.

 

[Jambarissa]

What did your farrier say about her feet? I would take farrier opinion over vet.

Hind feet are rarely that bad, is she just overdue a trim?

 

[cauda equina]

B too
My old boy had cracks and flares while shod but since going barefoot his feet have been great
He is on as low sugar as possible and Equimins balancer

 

[Pinkvboots]

I wouldn't shoe behind for that reason good feet come from within so find a hoof supplement and start with that.

 

[Greylegs]

Thanks or all the opinions. I'm definitely keen to leave the horse with her field friend and find alternative solutions to the hind hoof quality issue. I have researched hoof supplements (there are dozens of them!!) and ordered a supply of something I hope will suit her. The farrier is due on Monday to re-shoe in front and trim behind, so I will be having a chat with him too. I will also look at making any necessary adjustments to her diet: more research needed there I think, as feeding for hoof quality is an area about which I admit to being woefully ill informed!!! So, thanks again everyone. Let's see how it goes.

 

[lme]

We have a big ISH who doesn’t wear shoes. Hacking is mostly on road. What works for her is a decent balancer, forage based diet, 5 week trim cycle and hoof boots as needed.

 

[nikkimariet]

It is my biggest regret that I didn’t know more about hoof boots at the time I had my exracer shod. It was something that nearly ended up killing him (dreadful farrier, mechanical laminitis and complete caudal failure). I really wouldn’t have anything shod now unless I had zero option. I think B is a very good option.

 

[Lucky Snowball]

Definitely B. Look at her diet and use hoof boots while the feet recover. I’d consider removing the front shoes and use boots all round then you’ll get a true picture of her foot health.

 

[splashgirl45]

Option B… I fed my mare formula4feet when her feet started to crack up , they really improved and as money was very tight I gradually stopped feeding it and within a month her feet were bad again so I put her back on it for the rest of her life…. So I would supplement and see if that makes them improve rather than shoeing