Transition to barefoot... how long should I wait before giving up?!

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merliebug

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Hi there,

After having initially said "I'll never do it, my horse is too sensitive to go barefoot" I've actually bitten the bullet and had my boy's shoes removed at the end of July, in preparation for his more natural 24/7 lifestyle which started on August 13th.
He's now been barefoot for about 6 weeks, and although is as comfortable as anything on grass (albeit striding shorter) he is still not happy on other surfaces.

I use boots on his front feet to bring him to and from the field, but not always as I guess there should be some kind of surface contrast for him to toughen his soles up? I had the vet out the other day for a suspected abscess (should have called the farrier but I thought it was his navicular having a bad episode) and he has since fully recovered from that. Since his trim he's actually been much better, he just doesn't look HAPPY about walking about and at the risk of sounding like a wimp, it upsets me! How long do I leave it? He's on one bute a day at the moment, partly for his navicular and partly for his soles, I won't take him off that until I believe he's comfortable and he's very sensitive on his near hind, as well as still being lame from his recent navicular episode.

I should add when he's in the field with the herd, particularly his new women, he really is very content - it's just on any other surface.

Do you have any suggestions? Barefoot is our last option to treat his navicular so I really want to persevere.

Thanks,
Anna
 
Really 6 weeks is no time at all. It is really hard to see them anything less than rock stomping, but it will improve, though there may be changes you need to make in order to help him grow the best hoof he can.

It comes down to diet, movement, and only last is trim.
What is he being fed, how long has he been on this diet, what is his grazing like?
What surfaces does he move over and how often/for how long?
Any chance of your ins paying out for a stay at Rockley?
 
ThePony said:
Really 6 weeks is no time at all. It is really hard to see them anything less than rock stomping, but it will improve, though there may be changes you need to make in order to help him grow the best hoof he can.

It comes down to diet, movement, and only last is trim.
What is he being fed, how long has he been on this diet, what is his grazing like?
What surfaces does he move over and how often/for how long?
Any chance of your ins paying out for a stay at Rockley?
Click to expand...

Totally agree.
 
Agree with above. (Apols if I've misread/misinterpreted) - Taking his shoes off and turning him out 24/7 on to grass won't do it. You need to put the work in to get his diet, environment and exercise (on surfaces he's comfortable on) right. Its not easy but its worth it IMO :)

Out on grass 24/7 (again apols if I've misread) may not be the best idea for him if he has any grass sensitivity. Both my boys have to be muzzled April - October, one cos he's sensitive to our spring/summer grass and gets footy and the other cos he's a fatty! They both have their hay long soaked to remove sugars and have little in the way of hard feed - just a small cereal free base to put their minerals in.

Have you got an experienced barefoot person on the ground to help?

Perhaps pop over to the UKNHCP forum for experiences?
http://uknhcp.myfastforum.org/
 
Thanks for the replies.

My vet came out to see him before the transition, then two weeks into it, then again last week, so as for experienced eyes I guess she's not a barefoot specialist, but she's happy with how he's going, as is my farrier who has lots of clients barefoot.

Yes, you're quite right, fully appreciate it isn't as easy as chucking him out 24/7 so I attempted to make the transition a little earlier (albeit not far ahead enough), whilst he was still stabled at night. I hoped that this meant he had soft bedding for some relief, plus his grazing and different surfaces getting to and from the field, as well as a rubber school to occasionally have a little hoon around to get his energy out when he was sore!

The grazing at his new place is excellent; very very well-managed and rotated, but it does worry me that there is a lot of it. Having said that, I wouldn't say is excessively big (he's a fairly fine TB) and would say he's actually holding an ideal weight. Sugars I can't see though, so take your point on that!

There is no option for stabling unfortunately, as he is on grass only livery and there are no spare stables. Other yards in our area have proved unsuitable for him in terms of other needs (i.e. company, routines, grazing, etc,) so in all other ways this seems ideal and he is very happy there.

He is fed literally a handful of sugar-free (or low sugar?) alfalfa with pellets, but purely as a medium for his bute, biotin and joint supplement. He definitely doesn't need any extra food for weight or condition, and the farmer who owns the place is very adamant about them not being fed excessively! In the winter my boy and his herd come into a large barn at night and are fed ad-lib very good quality hay on a good dry surface.

I'm afraid I wouldn't even be able to consider Rockley, not because I don't think it's great (it looks fab), but my horse is in his third home in the space of a year and I wouldn't even think of unsettling him again. That, and the fact that he travels appallingly and would in no way deal well with a three hour plus journey!

I hope that gives a little more info. Any other tips/ hints gratefully received. I will definitely give the website a look too - thanks for that :-)

ETA: He is (obviously) not ridden, and is 8 years old.
 
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Just wanted to mention that my barefoot tb has been sensitive to the grass for the first time this year, nothing has changed since last. YM's horse who has been barefoot all her life is also footy.
Both have improved with night turnout and grazing muzzles though mine is not as good as he was a couple of months ago.

In your position I would try to hold on till winter to see if grass is a factor and in the meantime make him as comfortable as possible, maybe use hoof boots so he can do gentle work without surfaces being a concern.

Mineral balancing to your pasture helps alot of people are there are a few key minerals that are crucial to foot health but you should only add if you know you are lacking.
 
Have your vet or farrier given you any advice about diet?
Have you looked at photos of good bare hooves on the net and compared with your horse? For example, has your horse got flare or stretched white line and if he has, what has the farrier recommended to address this?
If you do a little search you will find a couple of massive recent threads with loads of info advice and recommended reading about barefoot horses. I would say that you need to look at his diet, it's not a matter of quantity of feed, it's about quality and feeding what he needs. (What you feed your horse isn't really any business of the farmer where you keep him at livery is it?)
I'd recommend getting a really good barefoot trimmer to visit to have a look and give you some advice. If you say where you are maybe someone can give you a recommendation.
 
barehoofhannah said:
You mentioned a farrier, have you got a barefoot trimmer giving you advice and guidance on diet, exercise and nutrition and doing a barefoot trim as apposed to a pasture trim?
Click to expand...

Many farriers are able to do a barefoot trim and advise on diet and management.


Its also worth bearing in mind that alot of horses have a crisis about 8 weeks after shoe removal, prbably due to the sensation returning to their feet and necrotic areas being expelled.

I do think the advice about the great grass you have is right.
Can you exercise him in the field?
 
Great that he has the movement that 24/7 turnout gives him, but I would take a closer look at his diet. Just because the grass is 'good' doesn't mean at all that it is supplying the minerals needed. I would strongly recommend getting your grazing analysed and consider a feed plan. Forage Plus do this, really interesting and so useful! Feed extra to his grazing really isn't about calories or adding condition, but about giving nutrition. If your horse needs it then it really isn't anything to do with your YO!

Can you lead him out each day? Smooth tarmac is a great surface for them, be guided by what he is comfortable with. So if you need to start with 2 mins then so be it, then you can steadily build up.

If your farrier does a good job (less is more, don't touch soles or frog!) then no reason to move from him.

Do you have the book Feet First? Really useful info! Also take a look at the Rockley blog http://rockleyfarm.blogspot.com/ and also the forums here http://uknhcp.myfastforum.org/forum2.php
Heaps of info to help you out and also lots of support when needed!
 
A couple of changes I can see you could easily make to his diet which may have a dramatic impact before you give up.

Dont feed Alfalfa, this is not a good medium for his bute. Alfalfa is a legume and is considered as something to avoid if your horse is barefoot.

Use a handful of soaked speedibeet or kwikbeet for this job instead. Also give him a supplement of cal-mag (google amount) as this reduces foot sensitivity fairly dramatically. charcoal in his diet will also absorb the toxins in his tummy as a result of the sugary grass and may also reduce senstivity in his feet.

Finally get him moving more on soft surfaces (even in boots). His feet cant progress unless they are being used. If he is uncomfortable on most surfaces just get him moving and walking on soft surfaces (grass, sand, rubber menage) and use boot if you need to. Once he is comfortable on soft surfaces (and diet is sorted) you may find his ok on hard surfaces and then stones.

If he is doing very little his feet will not progress.

Also google LGL (Low grade laminitis) I believe most horses (shod or not) suffer from this. It is only the barefoots who is shows up on more noticably.

If you treat him like a mild laminitic with exercise, he is very likely to come sound.

Good luck.
 
I tried my TB barefoot for several weeks and he absolutely hated it just did not want to even stand up. He likes shoes and I liked him happy!

A friend had owned her cob x tb for over a year and he had always been unshod. He would never walk on hard surfaces always trying to walk on a grass verge or wherever there was ground cover. She had his front hooves shod and he is so much happier!

If my dreams came true all horses could be barefoot but sadly it isn't always possible. Follow your gut instinct if you think he will be fine make sure you follow the advice of a decent barefoot trimmer, if not what have you lost? A little time!

Good luck with whatever you decide!
 
I have heard it takes 18 months for a horse to make the transition?
I would stick with a farrier and vet for advice, instead of trimmer to be honest. However if your is really not happy after a while, and looks uncomfortable I wouldn't struggle on. I don't see the point of making a horse suffer just so someone can say its barefoot.

*Gets shot down in flames by the barefoot cult*.... no more comments from me!
 
dominobrown said:
I have heard it takes 18 months for a horse to make the transition?
I would stick with a farrier and vet for advice, instead of trimmer to be honest. However if your is really not happy after a while, and looks uncomfortable I wouldn't struggle on. I don't see the point of making a horse suffer just so someone can say its barefoot.

*Gets shot down in flames by the barefoot cult*.... no more comments from me!
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Without getting the flame thrower out.. navicular hoof / hooves.. have weak heals and frogs.. causing a toe first landing.. shoes do imo cause weakened heals and frogs and so a toe first landing.. it does take time for these structures to build up (as well as diet and conditioning) think how long it takes to fitten a horse that has been out at grass .. building the lateral cartileges etc is a long slow process.
 
Thank you for all the replies - diet seems to be the over-riding factor here so I will look into it, and thank you for the advice re charcoal in his diet, I will investigate that too (also Feet First book, sounds good!)

He can't be exercised at the moment as he is being turned away/ retired unless by some miracle this new lifestyle makes him sound, in which case I have fantastic hacking at my fingertips. He is intermittently, although reliably, lame, from his navicular but not to the point at which he is unhappy in the field and ready to call it a day. Having said that, he's such a loon he spends a lot of time exercising himself, and I just today started walking him out in hand, as he now seems just about settled and sound enough to walk on a few other surfaces. He has access to an indoor school (of sorts) so another surface to try, and the route I took him today was largely on tarmac, with grass verges for when he felt the need.

I will gladly persevere with this, as it is the only thing I haven't tried for his navicular and the 'barefoot following' does seem adamant it will work - I'll never shoot something down in flames until i've tried it. But if he is still sore come early next year his shoes will be going back on in front and he will at least then live out whatever time he has left in relative comfort! I am just hoping this will work now, he is infinitely better than when we started so we must be getting somewhere!

My ultimate dream is to literally be able to gently hack him out around the woods surrounding the farm, even if only once a week.... if I had known I'd be saying that four years ago when I bought him I'd have laughed out loud, he was going to be a jumper and dressage pone!

Thanks again for all your helpful replies :-)

Oh, and PS. The YO/ farmer is a lovely lovely guy, but is in loco-parentis of most of the horses in my boy's herd, so his rules re feeding are, I believe, based solely on the fact that previous owners have fed too much and combined with the good grass have triggered lami. I don't think he's being strict to be annoying, just looking out for the horses. In an ideal world he doesn't want them fed at all!
 
You've had some great advice. Have a look at the Rockley blog, it's fascinating stuff.

I genuinely wish you all the very best, and hope barefoot brings you the miracle that it seems to have brought to others. I have a feeling you'll get to have those little hacks around the woods.

Trina x
 
I suggest that you feed yeast. Either brewers yeast at 50g a day, or yea-sacc at 15g a day. Yeast has a double anti-inflammatory effect on the gut. I have fed my horses it for years, got a bad batch this summer and couldn't feed it, and suddenly a horse who has been rock crunching for 3 years went footie and a new horse went clearly laminitic. I started feeding yea-sacc and the laminitic is grazing 24/7 and the footie horse is rock crunching again.

I have also had some success in settling the lami-prone horse's gut with charcoal. He is a lightly covered TB type warmblood,17hh, not your average cresty pony, but he is one of the many who can't tolerate grass all day in spring/summer and I suspect your boy may be the same.
 
dominobrown said:
I have heard it takes 18 months for a horse to make the transition?
I would stick with a farrier and vet for advice, instead of trimmer to be honest. However if your is really not happy after a while, and looks uncomfortable I wouldn't struggle on. I don't see the point of making a horse suffer just so someone can say its barefoot.

*Gets shot down in flames by the barefoot cult*.... no more comments from me!
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gess wot, dominobrown? We proud members of the barefoot cult don't believe in making a horse suffer just so someone can say its barefoot either :)

And we don't believe that a horse should be shot because it's lame with navicular before trying what happens when you take its shoes off.

And we don't believe in putting shoes on a footie horse before we work out whether changes to its diet and management will sort the issue out instead of just hiding it.

ps 18 months? Where on earth did you hear that rubbish from? Many never miss the shoes at all. Most miss them for a couple of weeks or a couple of months. I have never even heard of one taking 18 months, never mind experienced it myself among the variety of horses I've done, and that includes a navicular write-off rehab, a racehorse still in his aluminium race plates, and a horse two farriers told me would never be able to do it.
 
I said no more comments from me- but it was a barefoot trimmer who said it takes 18 months to fully adjust (Just proves that barefoot trimmers spout rubbish then?) It makes sense to me, it takes a while for the structures of the hoof to change, especially with gradual change. I beleive that drastic trimming like the Strasser technique is cruel and pointless.
I also never mentioned shooting the poor thing, I just suggested if it is more comfortable in shoes then be it. I also said that after a 'period of time' if there is no change, not just sticking shoes on it without changing its diet or environment.
 
Just remember that horses are not born wearing shoes and you never see a foal that is footsore, just because it isn't wearing shoes. Being unshod is natural but you do have to dedicate some thought, time and care to it. After all, if you started walking around barefoot, it would take you a while to not be sore on gravel or stones.

Persevere and even if you do ultimately return to shoes, the months without them will have done him good :)
 
I took a mare with extremely poor feet and other internal problems barefoot as a last resort. Again diet was the biggest contributing factor to improving her way of going.

I also used, for her transition to barefoot a product by Trinity Consultants (Roger Hatch will happily talk you through it but may baffle you with science!) called Tenderfoot. I can't tell you how much more comfortable it made my girl in a VERY short period of time (5 days actually)

:)
 
sorry ot hijack OP - but guys my horse will have shoes removed for an 8 week stint of box rest for an op next monday to remove ovary. I was hoping to at least leave her hind shoes off when she returns to work - (fronts - it depends how she is as although it sounds awful I am hoping to bring her back into work and then go do a fair amount of competing once fit again and dont have time to transition fronts if she not finding it easy- and alot of venues are stoney car parks) - She is fed on soaked grass nuts with an analysis of 16% protein and 12% sugar 1.5% starch. - I cant give her alfalfa as she turns into quivering wreck, dont give her cereals or starch as unrideable! Doesnt really like sugar beet (kwikbeet) so she enjoys the grass nuts and it keeps the weight on her (tried copra, soya flakes nothing else works) - Would this sugar be too much for her to be barefoot??????????

She also has 150g-250g linseed meal, 50g brewers yeast, 25g calmag, vits and mins supplement, and once on boxrest will be also having rosehips, echinecea for a few weeks after op and slippery elm as stressy in stable.

she is 16hh 7/8th TB (ISH)
 
My boy was out in a field unshod for five months, he was regularly farrier field trimmed and has good feet generally, but I did not consider he was "barefoot".
I put him on linseed meal, magnesium+yeast+herbal mix [Feedmark Steady-up], and seaweed, after six weeks on and off work, and being stabled occasionally, he is now in light work, I have a rasp to rake the edge off the hoof wall, but they are chipping a bit., which some people consider to be an acceptable alternative to rolling the edges with a rasp.
I ride him for thirty minutes on a road to make sure the hooves get worn off a bit.
I felt the front feet were getting a bit long [my regular farrier would have trimmed and shaped them], but a visiting farrier said they were "perfect"! so it is working, I must say the frogs look really clean and healthy, also the periople looks great.
It is a long term thing, but they do need to walk on different surfaces, I started off by leading him on the road, he also works in the arena but this is wood mix, so soft and not really helpful, there are some stone tracks on the farm, so he will be started on them this week, in addition to the road work, I must admit the improvement is slow but steady, however he was never really footy.
The chalky stuff he had on the sole of one of his front feet has gone, I understand this is normal.
 
kezimac said:
sorry ot hijack OP - but guys my horse will have shoes removed for an 8 week stint of box rest for an op next monday to remove ovary. I was hoping to at least leave her hind shoes off when she returns to work - (fronts - it depends how she is as although it sounds awful I am hoping to bring her back into work and then go do a fair amount of competing once fit again and dont have time to transition fronts if she not finding it easy- and alot of venues are stoney car parks) - She is fed on soaked grass nuts with an analysis of 16% protein and 12% sugar 1.5% starch. - I cant give her alfalfa as she turns into quivering wreck, dont give her cereals or starch as unrideable! Doesnt really like sugar beet (kwikbeet) so she enjoys the grass nuts and it keeps the weight on her (tried copra, soya flakes nothing else works) - Would this sugar be too much for her to be barefoot??????????

She also has 150g-250g linseed meal, 50g brewers yeast, 25g calmag, vits and mins supplement, and once on boxrest will be also having rosehips, echinecea for a few weeks after op and slippery elm as stressy in stable.

she is 16hh 7/8th TB (ISH)
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I am not expert, but could you try her with Dengie Molasses free chaff, [the low alfalfa] as long as she is on box rest, personally I think you must avoid sugars at all costs, and some horses react to badly to alfalfa. My reading of the barefoot research indicates that grass, is the problem with many barefoot "failures", as generally we can't control the intake of low fibre hi sugar green stuff.
Have you thought about Allen and Page Fast Fibre for box rest then Calm and Condition or Competition, they are liked by most horses, and are cereal free, easy to prepare [soak for 5-10 minutes].
It is possible your horse is rejecting quick beet because she has got used to a hi sugar diet!
I think you will have plenty of time to transition as she will have to start out being led in hand and you do road work on tarmac which is easy for them. To be honest I think you need to read Feet First [but check on here about the seaweed], then you have to be prepared to "educate" the feet, if you are already thinking about shoes, you are not ready for barefoot , lol!
 
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dominobrown said:
I said no more comments from me- but it was a barefoot trimmer who said it takes 18 months to fully adjust (Just proves that barefoot trimmers spout rubbish then?) It makes sense to me, it takes a while for the structures of the hoof to change, especially with gradual change. I beleive that drastic trimming like the Strasser technique is cruel and pointless.
I also never mentioned shooting the poor thing, I just suggested if it is more comfortable in shoes then be it. I also said that after a 'period of time' if there is no change, not just sticking shoes on it without changing its diet or environment.
Click to expand...

Dominobrown you said that it takes "18 months to make the transition" to barefoot. That is not the same as it taking 18 months to get their feet as perfect as they can make them. Most people understand the "transition" to be finished when the horse is comfortable working without shoes, and for many horses that is as long as it takes to get the shoes off. The trimmer was talking sense but your quote was different the first time around.

Strasser trimming is illegal in this country unless done by a vet. You are in good company believing it to be wrong.

I mentioned shooting the "poor thing" because that is what is still happening to these horses because not enough vets and farriers know, or believe, that a barefoot rehab works. Only two months ago a horse I used to own was written off with a VERY poor prognosis on the basis of the state of his navicular bones, by one of the top three Veterinary hospitals. The family found him a retirement home. I told them about a rehab and he was walk/trot/canter sound to ride after a month.

The OP's horse, like many others, is not comfortable in shoes. These horses are lame and about to be retired or put down, and I believe that they would choose a few months of discomfort to live a sound foot-pain free life from that point on.

If the diet and environment are changed to suit the horse, then unless it has a serious underlying metabolic disease like EMS, IR, EPSM or Cushings, it WILL improve. Many horses are being shod just because they need removing from grass during the daytime.
 
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kezimac said:
sorry ot hijack OP - but guys my horse will have shoes removed for an 8 week stint of box rest for an op next monday to remove ovary. I was hoping to at least leave her hind shoes off when she returns to work - (fronts - it depends how she is as although it sounds awful I am hoping to bring her back into work and then go do a fair amount of competing once fit again and dont have time to transition fronts if she not finding it easy- and alot of venues are stoney car parks) - She is fed on soaked grass nuts with an analysis of 16% protein and 12% sugar 1.5% starch. - I cant give her alfalfa as she turns into quivering wreck, dont give her cereals or starch as unrideable! Doesnt really like sugar beet (kwikbeet) so she enjoys the grass nuts and it keeps the weight on her (tried copra, soya flakes nothing else works) - Would this sugar be too much for her to be barefoot??????????

She also has 150g-250g linseed meal, 50g brewers yeast, 25g calmag, vits and mins supplement, and once on boxrest will be also having rosehips, echinecea for a few weeks after op and slippery elm as stressy in stable.

she is 16hh 7/8th TB (ISH)
Click to expand...

Kezimac they are so individual that your horse might be fine on that diet. Her problem with starch and cereals and alfalfa make me very, very suspicious though, and I suspect that she won't. I personally have no problem feeding any of mine unlimited quantities of haylage, though one is definitely lami-prone and another can't eat grass in daytime and stay good on stones.

Mrs D123, the best check for whether your farrier is right when they say that your horse has great barefoot feet is to get a steel ruler. You shouldn't be able to get it under the frog. Some horses who started with contracted feet will never pass this rule and seem OK, but in general, a frog suspended off the floor is a peripherally loaded foot which seems to predispose to navicular spectrum lameness.
 
cptrayes said:
Mrs D123, the best check for whether your farrier is right when they say that your horse has great barefoot feet is to get a steel ruler. You shouldn't be able to get it under the frog. Some horses who started with contracted feet will never pass this rule and seem OK, but in general, a frog suspended off the floor is a peripherally loaded foot which seems to predispose to navicular spectrum lameness.
Click to expand...
I am not too clear here, I assume you mean if I lay a steel rule across the hoof from seat of corn to set of corn, the frog should be higher than the hoof wall, there never was any frog contraction, and no gaps under the frog, I might go as far as trying to post a piccy!
The frog actually looks "perfect", actually very well defined, he never had any problems before with his feet, it is just that I expected his feet to appear "smaller", but they look pretty much the same size as when they were shod, and as I mentioned before, I know my regular farrier would rasp them as to "prepare for shoeing", which would make his feet a perfect pair, I have a third farrier who is world class, but does not visit this yard, so he would be coming to look and do nothing, not sure how he would feel about that!
 
merliebug said:
Hi there,

After having initially said "I'll never do it, my horse is too sensitive to go barefoot" I've actually bitten the bullet and had my boy's shoes removed at the end of July, in preparation for his more natural 24/7 lifestyle which started on August 13th.
He's now been barefoot for about 6 weeks, and although is as comfortable as anything on grass (albeit striding shorter) he is still not happy on other surfaces.

I use boots on his front feet to bring him to and from the field, but not always as I guess there should be some kind of surface contrast for him to toughen his soles up? I had the vet out the other day for a suspected abscess (should have called the farrier but I thought it was his navicular having a bad episode) and he has since fully recovered from that. Since his trim he's actually been much better, he just doesn't look HAPPY about walking about and at the risk of sounding like a wimp, it upsets me! How long do I leave it? He's on one bute a day at the moment, partly for his navicular and partly for his soles, I won't take him off that until I believe he's comfortable and he's very sensitive on his near hind, as well as still being lame from his recent navicular episode.

I should add when he's in the field with the herd, particularly his new women, he really is very content - it's just on any other surface.

Do you have any suggestions? Barefoot is our last option to treat his navicular so I really want to persevere.

Thanks,
Anna
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6 weeks is no time at all for a horse with navicular changes. The WHOLE foot is adjusting steadily. If you damaged a bone in your foot, you'd need more than six weeks too!

When I first took my boys shoes off Jul '10, I knew it was not going to be quick! He basically had a holiday until about Nov when I finally sat on him and went on on a short hack, down the farm track and the village. Not straight out of the field mind you, we worked hard in between on walking on a variety of surfaces, lunging, hell, we even broke him to harness and went trotting off down the road!!

2 or 3 years before that, I read extensively on barefoot, primarily Jamie Jackson & Pete Ramey then when I found Nic & Sarahs book and joined UKNHCP & EPAUK Forums and spoke to several experienced people did I make a leap as mine had navicular changes and 2 years of shoeing only made it worse and he had a boxy foot and a bad shoulder as a result. All this from having a laminitic!!!!

It is not something you enter into lightly with the expectation that it'll be a miraculous overnight success story. I think you need to sit down and consider a whole spectrum of things in a new light from the perspective of the horses condition and what got him there, before you "give up".

Chances are then that once you have made the changes your horse needs to be healthy and grow a good foot, the "transition" will be painless and easy.

I think you'll be fine and the sterling advice given by the CULT and some other sensible people on here should help you through :)
 
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MrsD123 said:
I am not too clear here, I assume you mean if I lay a steel rule across the hoof from seat of corn to set of corn, the frog should be higher than the hoof wall, there never was any frog contraction, and no gaps under the frog, I might go as far as trying to post a piccy!
The frog actually looks "perfect", actually very well defined, he never had any problems before with his feet, it is just that I expected his feet to appear "smaller", but they look pretty much the same size as when they were shod, and as I mentioned before, I know my regular farrier would rasp them as to "prepare for shoeing", which would make his feet a perfect pair, I have a third farrier who is world class, but does not visit this yard, so he would be coming to look and do nothing, not sure how he would feel about that!
Click to expand...

Stand her on concrete and try and slide the ruler underneath. Much easier. :)

Some feet get bigger and some get smaller! Very few stay the same - I wonder what that tells us???
 
I tried for 10 months to transition my T.B to barefoot, he has navicular and coffin joint issues.
I had an excellent DAEP who advised me the whole time, i did all the walking out in boots and pads made sure the diet was right and even though outwardly his feet looked excellent he never really adapted, was not walkiing properly in boots!
My trimmer said he could do no more and that maybe he should be shod and my vet agreed, so i now have him in eggbars, he is a different horse we are hacking out and he is striding out confidently.
I know this may not last and i dearly wanted him to be barefoot for the longterm good but i could,nt have him so uncomfortable and miserable!
 
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