To shoe or not

[Fazzie]

Took coblet out exploring on the weekend as we're at a new yard we now have FAB hacking

So my problem is, there is one part of the bridleway that is really stony, he was quite footsore, i jumped off and led him on the side part which was mud.(stony road lasts about 5 mins) Im not going to be riding up that way very often, maybe once every few months but should I get him shod as I hated him feeling 'footy' (should i just do fronts or all round) he wasnt foot sore at all on the rest of the ride. will be riding him 2-3 times a week mostly grass and minium tarmac. Having the farrier out to trim his feet so will see what he says as well.
Oh and we did jumping

havent jumped for 10 years!!, and he hasnt jumped before, did up to 3 foot

really enjoyed it so will probably drag the jumps out and jump once a week on grass, only smallies mind!!
so would you shoe him , if so I'll need road studs as there is one slippery steep hill, which unfortuntaely is the only way to get to the fab riding

cookies for reading

 

[DreamerII]

For the amount that you are suggesting (and the thought that you would have to faff with studs etc) if he is happy with most of the riding I'd leave the shoes off....at least for a few weeks until you are doing the same route regularly, however if he keeps showing footsore-ness (for want of a better term) then I would consider at least fronts.

Of course, I have no idea what your horses feet are like, but judging he is a cob I would imagine quite reasonable feet, but ask your farrier as he will be able to advise.

 

[TheFarrier]

Definitely start with only fronts, if you dont want shoes at all then invest in a good pair of hoof boots.

Talk to your farrier as he will know the horses feet

 

[Lucy_Nottingham]

id maybe think about shoing the fronts...... maybe.

doesnt sound like a huge requirement, could you not have ridden him through the mud bit? that way no shoing and get to ridee the whole time?!

 

[Fazzie]

I jumped off as soon as I felt he him sore, the mud bit is under branches, even though hes 14 hands Id of had to duck!! lol so decided to lead him

Yep will be speaking to farrier, coblets feet are in good condition just want to make sure they stay that way

Id rather leave him un shod (hes one of those ponios who luurrvvee standing on your feet)

but obviously will do what ever he needs

I havent had a horse with shoes for 10 years now, god I sound old Im 24!!
thanks for advice

 

[merlinsquest]

Get some boots for the hacks where you have to go on the stones... and keep him barefoot the rest of the time

 

[Fazzie]

[ QUOTE ]
Get some boots for the hacks where you have to go on the stones... and keep him barefoot the rest of the time

[/ QUOTE ]

Good idea was thinking this myself,
will speak to farrier and then I'll go and do my favourite past time, spending money on coblet

 

[kerilli]

i'd prob leave him barefoot, he'll have more traction on the slippery bit with bare feet anyway. he might be a bit footy while he gets used to being barefoot though.
i'd be careful about jumping on grass barefoot if it is hard underneath and slippery on top though, the rest of the time it should be okay.

 

[spookypony]

Agree with MerlinsQuest and kerilli. Listen to your farrier, of course, but from what you've said, he sounds fine barefoot. Mine is also careful over big pointy gravel, but absolutely fine on every other footing, and my trimmer (who does endurance with hers) says that this is fairly normal for unshod horses (especially if they don't encounter it often). I just let him choose his own path when we get to a gravelly patch.