hackedoff
Well-Known Member
My 19 year old pony went barefoot with a reputable trimmer three months ago. He hated it, very unhappy on hard ground such as tarmac or packed tracks and hopped about if he stood on a stone . Farrier who was asked to give a second opinion reckoned he had very thin springy soles and was obviously unhappy unshod after 15+ years with shoes.
It got to a point where he could just about tolerate walking 5 mins up a rough track to the menage with tiny, tiny pinsteps. I stopped leading him up the lanes due to his feet bleeding from the frogs last time I tried. I felt dreadful about it .
Anyway his shoes went back on today, HURAAH!!!
His face was a picture when the first shoe went on, he put his foot down and clonked it about with a 'well this feels right at last' look on his face! I took him on a hack and he dragged me mounted over some stoney ground to a bit of grass. he then strode down the lane to the country park , once he got used to the sentation of shoes again he took of in his best extended trot outpacing the horse with us who couldnt keep up in a canter! He then passaged most of the rest of the ride! Such a happy happy boy tonight.
I am so happy , I have my old pony back at last. He was Mr Perky in his stable tonight, he has been Mr Miserable for the last three months.
I do genuinly wish the shoeless thing had worked for us, but unfortunatly pony thought otherwise (for those who dont believe animals have strong opinions / I am anthromorphasing, sorry but I belive that a pony/horses wished should be considered about 45% their view, 55% ours if that makes sense).
ANyway, kid at the yard said it was the first time she had seen me smile since she moved on the yard. I feel like my face will split if I grin anymore!
It got to a point where he could just about tolerate walking 5 mins up a rough track to the menage with tiny, tiny pinsteps. I stopped leading him up the lanes due to his feet bleeding from the frogs last time I tried. I felt dreadful about it .
Anyway his shoes went back on today, HURAAH!!!
His face was a picture when the first shoe went on, he put his foot down and clonked it about with a 'well this feels right at last' look on his face! I took him on a hack and he dragged me mounted over some stoney ground to a bit of grass. he then strode down the lane to the country park , once he got used to the sentation of shoes again he took of in his best extended trot outpacing the horse with us who couldnt keep up in a canter! He then passaged most of the rest of the ride! Such a happy happy boy tonight.
I am so happy , I have my old pony back at last. He was Mr Perky in his stable tonight, he has been Mr Miserable for the last three months.
I do genuinly wish the shoeless thing had worked for us, but unfortunatly pony thought otherwise (for those who dont believe animals have strong opinions / I am anthromorphasing, sorry but I belive that a pony/horses wished should be considered about 45% their view, 55% ours if that makes sense).
ANyway, kid at the yard said it was the first time she had seen me smile since she moved on the yard. I feel like my face will split if I grin anymore!
