Would you put shoes back on an old horse?

huskydamage

huskydamage

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I have an elderly pony who's shoes I removed 3 years ago after a tendon injury, I did not know if I would ride her again. (she only had fronts). She recovered well and returned to a bit of light hacking with occasional fun ride or hound exercise but has never coped with walking on stones barefoot. I hoped she would get used to it but perhaps it is too much to ask. I have to do a lot of roadwork and unfortunately my local paths are stoney. Recently in this wet weather she seems to be really slow and cautious to walk on anything bar grass or really smooth tarmac. She is normally forward going. I thought putting the shoes back on would be bad for the old tendon injury (and my wallet!) and it would just be better for an old horse not to be banged about. I have tried hoof boots which stop the footiness but they rub, slide about and she has a funny high stepping action in them, which again I'm worried about injuries. I just want her to be comfortable not sure what to do for the best if shoes would be bad for the legs?
 
Pesonally, I don't care what age the horse is, if it tells me it needs shoes, then it needs shoes. This pony is telling you that she needs shoes. You may be able to get by with proper fitting boots for riding, but I would not use them in turnout. Is there anyone in your area that can help you fit boots? I was able to find a boot fitting service years ago when I had my Warmblood in boots. Or else you may have to try a few to see what works/fits best.

I don't know why shoes would harm her? I am under the impression that shoes cannot bother a current or old tendon injury. I also don't know how/why shoes would be bad for the legs? Maybe my thinking is too simple. :p


Also, make sure her nutrition and environment promote a healthy hoof (just a general disclaimer). Some have luck with painting hoof hardener - or a toughening agent on the bottom of the hoof, but I have not done that and I am not sure of the success.
 
I’d persist with finding better fitting boots if mine. If they really did have funny shaped hooves that weren’t going to work I would shoe but might try something other than a standard steel shoe.

Frank walks funny in his cavallos (mostly used for poultice boot) he walks slightly different to normal in his gloves but not so it would be a cause of concern. Thankfully there is now a much wider range of boots than even a few years ago.
 
I think it is quite well know that some old horses need shoes back on to stay comfy as they get older. Not all but some. Some are well managed barefoot all their lives, but reach an age where they have less foot resilience and are made comfortable by shoes. Even non working horses over a certain age, sometimes made happier in front shoes.

But I would try decent boots first, as sounds like your horse is happy in field bare.
 
ihatework said:
Yes I would, and I did.
I had a retired horse that was quite happily unshod for years.
But as he aged and his Cushings advanced then he was increasingly footsore. For his final months he wore shoes. It’s got to be about quality of life rather than principals.
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I did this with my old boy, just fronts but we have stoney paths to and from the field and he was just uncomfortable. I was glad I did as he got cellulitis and walking him out was part of the treatment and he wouldn't have coped unshod.
 
Thanks for the replies, I had never really thought about cushings etc and age making the foot soreness worse. I just assumed the shoe concussion etc would be bad for the legs. The boots I have are cavallos (with socks so they don't rub!) I wanted the renegades but they are expensive and I was outbid on ebay ?. The other issue I have with the boots is they are faff to put on and clean in this weather as constantly wet and caked in mud. Nothing worse than fiddly velco straps with freezing cold wet hands! I try to clean them each time but the velco is getting trashed with all this mud.
I'm thinking of fronts back on and give extra protection with boots on the back when needed.
 
huskydamage said:
I have an elderly pony who's shoes I removed 3 years ago after a tendon injury, I did not know if I would ride her again. (she only had fronts). She recovered well and returned to a bit of light hacking with occasional fun ride or hound exercise but has never coped with walking on stones barefoot. I hoped she would get used to it but perhaps it is too much to ask. I have to do a lot of roadwork and unfortunately my local paths are stoney. Recently in this wet weather she seems to be really slow and cautious to walk on anything bar grass or really smooth tarmac. She is normally forward going. I thought putting the shoes back on would be bad for the old tendon injury (and my wallet!) and it would just be better for an old horse not to be banged about. I have tried hoof boots which stop the footiness but they rub, slide about and she has a funny high stepping action in them, which again I'm worried about injuries. I just want her to be comfortable not sure what to do for the best if shoes would be bad for the legs?
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I know what you mean, my navicular mare, is barefoot and we have cavello boots on, now with new farrier her feet so good they keep falling off, so not sure yet if shoes are our next option after the xray, we shall see.
 
Sometimes soles are happier well off the floor. (Cushings etc will often make them flatter to which makes them more prone to standing on something that protrudes than those with good concavity).
 
CanteringCarrot said:
Pesonally, I don't care what age the horse is, if it tells me it needs shoes, then it needs shoes. This pony is telling you that she needs shoes. You may be able to get by with proper fitting boots for riding, but I would not use them in turnout. Is there anyone in your area that can help you fit boots? I was able to find a boot fitting service years ago when I had my Warmblood in boots. Or else you may have to try a few to see what works/fits best.

I don't know why shoes would harm her? I am under the impression that shoes cannot bother a current or old tendon injury. I also don't know how/why shoes would be bad for the legs? Maybe my thinking is too simple. :p


Also, make sure her nutrition and environment promote a healthy hoof (just a general disclaimer). Some have luck with painting hoof hardener - or a toughening agent on the bottom of the hoof, but I have not done that and I am not sure of the success.
Click to expand...

^^^ This!!

I'd be inclined to get your farrier out and have a look at her feet, and have a chat about the best way forward.

If she's footy on stones and is obviously not happy; then personally I'd shoe her.
 
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