Unshod horse - farrier, barefoot trimmer, or other?

[tallyho!]

Thanks PR, glad someone agrees

Was browsing to see if could get a collection of links to nice hoofboots but I came across this site. Scroll down to bottom to see a range - by no means the definitive list as Easycare do so many and there's more independant developers out there if you googled...

http://www.all-natural-horse-care.com/hoof-boots.html

 

[Pale Rider]

Thanks PR, glad someone agrees

Was browsing to see if could get a collection of links to nice hoofboots but I came across this site. Scroll down to bottom to see a range - by no means the definitive list as Easycare do so many and there's more independant developers out there if you googled...

http://www.all-natural-horse-care.com/hoof-boots.html

I use Renegades and really love them.

 

[amandap]

Thanks PR, glad someone agrees

I agree with this.

Why don't we boot horses instead of nailing metal bars on anyway? Shoes are 'permanent' rigid structures which eventually damages hooves. Even the farriery textbooks written by the masters state this.

You can get some amazing boots these days!! You only need to put on when needed, comfortable, hard wearing, reduces concussion, a pair can last two years and lets feet do their thing. There will come a time when affiliates will welcome them but I guess now, shoes are still the acceptable form of hoof protection (there's a paradox!). "Barefoot" trainers are even being marketed for top human athletes these days as the benefits have been studied and been found favourable!

I know we shoe for our own convenience, but I fail to see what ISN'T convenient about boots for us AND horses.

 

[kezimac]

Thanks everyone Will definitely look at ordering that book later. In the mean time, does anyone have any links to good information on diet/management of the barefoot horse that I can look at online? I figure that if I'm going to continue like this, from what I've learned already I might as well get on with it asap

Have to say, Dan's had his hind shoes off about 10 months, possibly longer now, and fronts off since January, trimmed (all round) 3 times inc when his front shoes were taken off. He's only been footsore once - just after his last trim approx 6-8 weeks ago I think and then only on the stonier tracks, not on roads etc. Fine now. His front feet are still cracking a bit though which I would like to know more about. His back feet look nice, but he does have a tendancy to drag his toes on the roads (can hear him in walk) and I'm not sure if this is what's causing some of the cracking? Could it just be because he's had his back shoes off longer and his front feet are still trying to sort themselves out? I'm trying to remember when exactly Dan had his back shoes off now, may have to have a look at photos as it could be a year even! Confused & curious now....

do you have trimmer or farrier? - just wondering as mine has had hers removed for box rest for operation and she coping ok at moment walking out for 5 minutes and walking over stones ok.

 

[LucyPriory]

Boots have changed dramatically over the past few years, and are still developing.

The key to getting them to stay on is to get a good fit and unless you are experienced you may need some help to find the right brand and size for your horse.

Boot have a useful role to play when rehabilitiating sick hooves. And hooves that can not cope with a wide variety of surfaces including stones etc are sub optimal. Shoes do a good job of masking this, but they don't fix the underlying problem.

When properly rehabbed a healthy hoof won't need a boot for normal circumstances. Barefoot mounted police will use them for rehabiliation and riots, but not day to day, despite 6X8+hour shifts per week.

Boots are very different from shoes, but perhaps the most important point is that the average horse wears them only while exercising and not 24/7 - and this gives the foot the opportunity to heal and grow as it should.

 

[Pale Rider]

Been asked to try some Equine Fusion jogging shoes, I've said I will, so be interesting to see how they go.

Although they are called shoes, they are hoof boots.