ecrozier
Well-Known Member
Roo is now barefoot - front shoes came off 2 weeks ago. Hinds came off about 3 months ago and all ok back there so far!
Anyway, diet is now pretty barefoot friendly I think (pure easy - I know not ideal but he only has a small amount to get supplements in, equine answers 365 and linseed, also Supplease gold), and at this time of year there is no grass to worry about! He's also got a salt lick. Hes mostly out 7am to 5.30pm although fields do close when it's very wet, they were in yesterday and are liable to be in again tomorrow!
I was away the first ten days so he just went on walker every other day, and while it snowed and they were in, he was on walker twice a day anyway! So far feet look ok, no major cracking or anything like that.
Hacked out yesterday and fine so far on all surfaces but know that is sometimes the case initially as not much feeling in their feet yet!
The aim of going barefoot is to see if his body wants to change his foot/leg balance slightly and see if we can sort out the fact that his stride is noticeably shorter on right fore than left when on a left circle! Thats the leg he has a more boxy/upright foot on. He's sound in a straight line and on right circle. So I'm wondering what level of work you guys would aim for? I was thinking every other day to hack for as long as I can fit in up to 90mins, mainly in walk, starting at 30 mins or so and build up gradually...
Would you take him in the school though? I've no idea if this barefoot transition will help, it's our last idea really at the moment, but appreciate its likely to take minimum 3-6 months before it would make any difference to stride length isn't it?
Anyway, diet is now pretty barefoot friendly I think (pure easy - I know not ideal but he only has a small amount to get supplements in, equine answers 365 and linseed, also Supplease gold), and at this time of year there is no grass to worry about! He's also got a salt lick. Hes mostly out 7am to 5.30pm although fields do close when it's very wet, they were in yesterday and are liable to be in again tomorrow!
I was away the first ten days so he just went on walker every other day, and while it snowed and they were in, he was on walker twice a day anyway! So far feet look ok, no major cracking or anything like that.
Hacked out yesterday and fine so far on all surfaces but know that is sometimes the case initially as not much feeling in their feet yet!
The aim of going barefoot is to see if his body wants to change his foot/leg balance slightly and see if we can sort out the fact that his stride is noticeably shorter on right fore than left when on a left circle! Thats the leg he has a more boxy/upright foot on. He's sound in a straight line and on right circle. So I'm wondering what level of work you guys would aim for? I was thinking every other day to hack for as long as I can fit in up to 90mins, mainly in walk, starting at 30 mins or so and build up gradually...
Would you take him in the school though? I've no idea if this barefoot transition will help, it's our last idea really at the moment, but appreciate its likely to take minimum 3-6 months before it would make any difference to stride length isn't it?