holydaysandholidays
Member
Has anyone got any hints or advice? I'm thinking of doing this as my horse has crumbly hoof wall? I live in an area that is mostly clay and I'm worried that in the summer the ground will be too hard.
Transitioning to barefoot
- Thread starter holydaysandholidays
- Start date
poiuytrewq
Well-Known Member
Buy yourself some decent hoof boots!
Last edited:
Polos Mum
Well-Known Member
ditto above and look at barefoot supportive food.
Loads of good threads on here if you search and good FB groups.
Loads of good threads on here if you search and good FB groups.
fluffycobs4life
Member
There is a good thread on here about boots,lots of good advice
Brownmare
Well-Known Member
If your horse has crumbly hoof walls you need to look at diet first and foremost. Do this at least 6-8 weeks before you take shoes off. You will need to feed a good quality low iron supplement that has good levels of copper and zinc. Forageplus and Progressive Earth do a range of suitable ones. It is also a good idea to reduce sugar and starch levels in the diet to 10% or below especially if your horse isn't in hard work.
Have a chat to your farrier and if they are not on board with a switch to barefoot you may have to find someone else who is. I had a really good farrier but sadly he just could not wrap his head around the different requirements of barefoot trimming so I had to change. If you give a rough area where you are based people may be able to recommend someone.
Have boots and pads ready for when shoes come off and be prepared that your horse may need to wear them 24/7 initially. Cavallos are a food starter boot and allow for a changing hoof shape. Never let him get sore - footy means he is in pain and it is not fair on him to leave him like that but the incorrect movement patterns also put a strain on the musculoskeletal system so you need to ensure he is comfortable enough to land heel first as he walks. (You can check this by getting down on the floor with a phone and videoing in slo mo as someone leads him past you)
I have to warn you it is rather like going down a rabbit hole and you may find yourself mildy hoof obsessed as you see how much your horses hooves can improve with the changes in management!
Have a chat to your farrier and if they are not on board with a switch to barefoot you may have to find someone else who is. I had a really good farrier but sadly he just could not wrap his head around the different requirements of barefoot trimming so I had to change. If you give a rough area where you are based people may be able to recommend someone.
Have boots and pads ready for when shoes come off and be prepared that your horse may need to wear them 24/7 initially. Cavallos are a food starter boot and allow for a changing hoof shape. Never let him get sore - footy means he is in pain and it is not fair on him to leave him like that but the incorrect movement patterns also put a strain on the musculoskeletal system so you need to ensure he is comfortable enough to land heel first as he walks. (You can check this by getting down on the floor with a phone and videoing in slo mo as someone leads him past you)
I have to warn you it is rather like going down a rabbit hole and you may find yourself mildy hoof obsessed as you see how much your horses hooves can improve with the changes in management!