To shoe or not to shoe...

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UnpaidGroom

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...that is the question?! I recently got my first pony, he had front shoes on but they were very loose and his hooves were in quite bad condition. The farrier came and took his shoes off and tidied his hooves up. I have left him unshod and am applying an intensive hoof moisturiser each day. The plan was to leave him unshod for a couple of weeks (no riding) and see how he gets on - if ok then leave him unshod but if he is still sore then get him shod on front again. Its only been about 5 days but the poor boy is so sore and I can see he finding it quite painful when he comes onto the yard. He is ok in the field. Should I wait and see how he gets on or just get his shoes back on?
 
i have been there!
with mine, all have ended up with no shoes on - but, you have to be prepared to persveer (ok - i cant spell - its a monday!) they may well start to crack etc - but you can get thru it
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mine all pretty much started off going barefoot to give their hooves a break - as shoes had been coming off - and the hooves were getting in a state due to having shoes nailed back on, i would say thou - go with your farrier advice - as after all he is the one who can see how you pony is doing barefoot.
Good look
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we have a horse whos just retired and has had his shoes taken off. he lives in the field but we have to cross a gravel car park to get him to the yard so we invested in a pair of cavallo boots. they literally are like human shoes. you just pop them over the feet and he is fab in them. he only wears them out of the field but he goes for walks in hand and is fine. if you are gonna keep the pony unshod id throughly recommend a pair of these until his feet harden. you can get them in robinsons
 
Thank you, it's good to know you did the same and got through it with them staying unshod. I would like my pony to stay barefoot if he can but if his hooves don't harden and he is uncomfortable then I will get him shod again. I think I will just persevere for now and see how he gets on.
 
Thank you for your advice, I will invest in a pair of cavallo boots, I hadn't thought of that! At least he will be more comfortable when he comes on the yard and I can also walk him out in-hand! Thanks!
 
If my pony was in pain - however long - I would put shoes back on asap - but TBH I am not a fan of going barefoot unless they are retired or on box rest etc.

I would get farrier out and put some shoes on him IMO .

I hope he is ok! Anyway - if he is new - you want him to be happy and comfortable in a home he is just settling in to - not in pain. Try going barefoot after he has settled in maybe?
 
Thank you - they look great, I will order today! I didn't know you could ride in them, thats even better.

I would like to go barefoot really. His hooves were in bad condition when I got him - I feel that getting his shoes taken off and another pair put straight back on is just covering up the problem, not sorting it out. Thank you for your advice - much appreciated.
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All my horses are barefoot. Whether they are SJ'ing, Eventing, Hunting etc they all go barefoot.
My advanced endurance horse is also barefoot
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It can take a long time for the feet to condition to being worked shoeless especially if they have been shod before so we always have lots of 'hoof boots' about for use as and when needed
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Oh thank you - you give me hope! I will persevere and try to make my boy as comfortable as possible. I am going to order some boots today
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I think if you want your pony to go unshod, then it is worth persevering, although it may take some time. As you will know, hooves take some time to grow from top to bottom. Follow your farriers advice, make sure he is on a good diet and pretty much go from there.
Although I don't like it for long term use, you may find Keratex will help in the short term.
 
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