Underrun heels - going barefoot-the transition with pads/boots?

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Fifty Bales of Hay

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So further to my recent post asking about what's new with hoof boots, of course after talking to my farrier, who is supporting me with the decision to go barefoot.

We have the issue of addressing "very bad under run heels" which I am hoping to solve with going barefoot, assisted with the help of boots and pads. My farrier has suggested Old Mac boots as these will be good for putting any amount of pads inside as I need to make the horse comfortable.

But of course what I've realised when taking photos to send to Liz at Hoof Boutique (whom I am sure will advise me on this later or next week) is that the horses "bulbs" which are to fit inside the boot are quite a distance from where you would measure the "length"

So seems like he needs an Extra Long but Narrow boot as his feet aren't as wide as the length taking into account the bulbs. Does this make sense?

How do I get around this problem? Do I get the extra long boot and then pack out the sides of his hooves to fit the width? Also a bigger boot is larger around the top so this isn't good either?

Help please, I cannot and know I'm not the first one to have come across this problem, please share your experiences with me?
 
Do you know he's going to be sore? Is he sore when the shoes are off when being shod? Check out AlexHyde's posts in vet section. I don't know what sort of boots she's been using but her horse had very long narrow feet so would be worth asking.

What is your plan, are you going to try and keep him in the same level of work with boots?
 
Yes - I do know he's going to be sore without shoes on. We've made the transition with the back feet, which weren't as bad as the front. He also has protruding lower than the hoof wall frogs, which is a worry for my farrier. But I am thinking I can overcome this with cut-outs with pads and layering pads on both feet. Not sure what I need to do to make the hoof wall longer than the frogs permanently???? Haven't thought that far ahead.

Not necessary for him to be kept in the same level of work at the moment. Quite prepared to walk him in hand, either in the school or on the roads daily for short periods. And if he needs a few days in his stable thats fine too. But ideally want to get him out in the field every day and a little bit of walking in hand, and increasing as he settles and gets better. We're not under any pressure at all which is why now is a good time to do this, and I'm around all summer to dedicate the time involved.

I'll look up AlexHyde's posts. Perhaps I put this in the wrong section did I?

Thanks FfionWinnie.
 
Full photos will be available later today. I only took some of the underside with a measure on, as couldn't believe how long they were (incl bulbs) compared to the width. I thought I measured them wrong! Quick look at Alex's posts and her horse has my horses feet! Will post later on the pictures.
 
The frogs will pack down in time, but you are right to be cautious. My first horse had feet too big for the boots available at the time and he was like yours and he abscessed in both front feet. If I had been able, I would have used cut outs just like you plan to, but do make sure you have some frog pressure, otherwise they won't get the simulation they need.

The answer to feet that are too long for the width is to buy for the length and pad the sides.

I hope that helps :)
 
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AMP said:
Full photos will be available later today. I only took some of the underside with a measure on, as couldn't believe how long they were (incl bulbs) compared to the width. I thought I measured them wrong! Quick look at Alex's posts and her horse has my horses feet! Will post later on the pictures.
Click to expand...

Ha thought so from your description. Good luck.
 
You will need boots you just have to get the best fit you can and accept they may need replacing when his foot changes shape .
My TB had terrible terrible feet .
When his shoes were removed he did not want to leave his stable .
He was given pain relief in the beginning any else would not have been ethical.
In eighteen months he was jumping hacking on the roads on grass going to clinics .
Get the diet changed if necessary ASAP if I did one again I would give three months on our bf friendly diet before I started .
My TB could never cope with hunting and XC without studs so he goes in and out of shoes to suit what we are doing but I must must get him out of shoes part of every year .
 
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