What did you notice when you removed your horses shoes?

[Kezzabell2]

Thank you FW for your help. Instinct tells me that barefoot is the way to go, so once the shoes are off I'll take it day by day. However, I'll probably be back on here asking for more advice from everyone ☺

Don't worry about coming on here and asking loads of questions, I did in my first couple of weeks! and even now I'm sure I will have more questions!

Feel free to like my FB page and you can follow Sams progress, to see how quickly he's been transformed by having his shoes off!!

he was 6/10th lame the day they were removed and I was riding him 3 weeks later (thought he'd be turned away for at least 6 months) ITS PURE CRAZY.

https://www.facebook.com/Sams-self-trimming-journey-903684053033678/?ref=bookmarks

 

[black and brown 2]

Don't worry about coming on here and asking loads of questions, I did in my first couple of weeks! and even now I'm sure I will have more questions!

Feel free to like my FB page and you can follow Sams progress, to see how quickly he's been transformed by having his shoes off!!

he was 6/10th lame the day they were removed and I was riding him 3 weeks later (thought he'd be turned away for at least 6 months) ITS PURE CRAZY.

https://www.facebook.com/Sams-self-trimming-journey-903684053033678/?ref=bookmarks

Thanks so much for encouragement and FB link . I am worried about taking the plunge but I imagine most people feel apprehensive at the start. Can anyone recommend any useful books to read up on
?

 

[Pc2003]

We took my lads shoes off 8 months ago and he is currently better than he has ever been.
He was always shod remedially due to his appalling foot/leg confirmation. I have had endless soundness issues and he was struggling to be a light hack at the grand old age of 7!!!
We still have many hurdles and his competitor days are over but he is great to hack atm and I think having no shoes is a major part to this. He is so sure footed on our slippy roads it's amazing! Also, his awful foot shape is looking less and less severe. I am no expert on barefoot. I just do what I do to make the best of a situation but for us it has been surprising and amazing.
We had to get a new farrier who was newly qualified. He has been amazing. He was the one who said to me why should we keep forcing his hooves into the 'correct' shape. Let them do their thing! Wow. He was right!!

 

[Kezzabell2]

Thanks so much for encouragement and FB link . I am worried about taking the plunge but I imagine most people feel apprehensive at the start. Can anyone recommend any useful books to read up on
?

A book called feet first, there is a pic of it on my fb page.

I also think the pro earth pro hoof supplement has helped a lot

I was so worried about removing shoes but didn't have any other choice. Every day I feel amazed by the transition and how he.is coping

 

[Clannad48]

8 years ago after a 'navicular syndrome' possibility, medication, box rest etc. we made the decision to turn our 6 year old 17h dwb mare away for the winter barefoot, this was after much consultation between our vet and the farrier. We were warned that it may not work but as she kept on throwing the very expensive remedial shoes, it was going to be worth a try. The farrier took the shoes off and warned that she would be footy for a couple of weeks, especially as she had to walk over a stony area to get to the field. After three days the stony ground was no problem. She has been sound ever since (I've probably jinxed myself now). Our mare has taken part in dressage, cross country and showjumping. Nowadays she competes at endurance and has solid stone crushing feet. I was always nervous to be seen as a 'barefoot warrior' but in our case it really worked. I still say that it is worth a try but not necessarily the right way for every horse.

 

[DD]

my geldings shoes came off 9 weeks ago. hes coping with down hill work better and is less slipping on the rads. however the wall has broken away dramatically where the nails were. When this grows out they should improve a lot. Also his back hooves have gone more elongated and pointy.
he is also scuffing at the toes in front where the white line is. I expect this is why seedy toe has occurred......................... need to clean and disinfect this area well from now on.

 

[Kezzabell2]

my geldings shoes came off 9 weeks ago. hes coping with down hill work better and is less slipping on the rads. however the wall has broken away dramatically where the nails were. When this grows out they should improve a lot. Also his back hooves have gone more elongated and pointy.
he is also scuffing at the toes in front where the white line is. I expect this is why seedy toe has occurred......................... need to clean and disinfect this area well from now on.

Do you give him any hoof supplements? My boys feet are just getting down to the nail holes and I thought they'd have cracked a lot more than they have!!I'm really surprised how well they are coping!