Would you say it's time to shoe?

ktj1891

ktj1891

Well-Known Member
Joined
15 March 2010
Messages
1,584
Visit site
My lad has been barefoot behind since April 13 and in front since September 13. Initially there was drastic cosmetic improvements in his hinds but two years down the line and he is still not comfortable.

This winter was probably the best he has ever been. Up until this week he has probably been coping fairly well but this week he seems so sore.

I have tried everything advised by barefoot gurus and nothing seems to work for him. He's comfortable on flat smooth Tarmac but anything stoney he is sore behind and in front. His feet are hard and his frogs aren't actually that bad but he just cannot walk over stones without being really sore or limping when a stone hits certain area on his foot.

I think he is one of those horses that just won't cope unless he is completely off the grass which one I don't want to do and two I can't being on a livery yard.

Is it time to face facts and put shoes back on or perservere? I really don't want to put shoes back on but would it be a realist compromise to shoe through summer and take off through winter?

Really looking for some words of advise and encouragement!
 
If you ride a horse with ongoing sore feet then you end up with other problems, especially muscular, as they compensate.
So in my mind something has to change.
6 months in shoes over summer and 6 months off shoes over winter seems a good compromise, or invest in hoof boots.
 
He wears boots and pads in front but seems like he will need them behind too. Not ideal when he has been bare 2 years.
 
I would shoe part of the year but make sure he gets a regular break from shoeing when it suits him best .
You have a horse to enjoy and no one can say you have not given it a good try.
I shoe mine when they are working hardest but they spend part of every year without .
Make sure you study the rules of good shoeing and keep a check on the shoes don't just trust the farrier to do a good job .
 
Goldenstar said:
I would shoe part of the year but make sure he gets a regular break from shoeing when it suits him best .
You have a horse to enjoy and no one can say you have not given it a good try.
I shoe mine when they are working hardest but they spend part of every year without .
Make sure you study the rules of good shoeing and keep a check on the shoes don't just trust the farrier to do a good job .
Click to expand...

This is my issue I would then have to find a good farrier and I have no idea how to go about it!
 
ktj1891 said:
This is my issue I would then have to find a good farrier and I have no idea how to go about it!
Click to expand...

This the hard bit ,finding a farrier to trust my first port of call for advice would be your equine vet .
Then any very knowledgeable horsey friends ,learn how to assess a well shod foot so you get your eye really really good .
Have you had a trimmer doing your horses feet if so ask him / her that's how I started with my present farrier my trimmer asked him if he would shoe Fatty .
He's a BF open minded farrier lovely to work with because he gets and supports my desire to do part of every year without shoes .
 
Goldenstar said:
This the hard bit ,finding a farrier to trust my first port of call for advice would be your equine vet .
Then any very knowledgeable horsey friends ,learn how to assess a well shod foot so you get your eye really really good .
Have you had a trimmer doing your horses feet if so ask him / her that's how I started with my present farrier my trimmer asked him if he would shoe Fatty .
He's a BF open minded farrier lovely to work with because he gets and supports my desire to do part of every year without shoes .
Click to expand...

I have asked for advice and recommendations on a barefoot group that I think is administrated by trimmers and that didnt go down too well. Glad though that others understand what I am going through and can tell me its okay to shoe my horse if he is uncomfortable. Still stuck on farrier though :(
 
hajilulung said:
How much hoof boots?
g.png
Click to expand...

Sorry?
 
Without question I would definately shoe your poor horse- a few weeks of slight discomfort barefoot is acceptable, if the shoes have been recently removed.
But, in my opinion, if this turns into months or even years, then the horse definately does not suit a barefoot life, and is probably suffering in other ways (lack of exercise, unfit, physical compensation elsewhere etc etc) as a result.
Working Barefoot can work for some very fortunate horses, but with the constant presence of the dreaded 'tarmac' everywhere, little off-road hacking availability, and over-zealous trimmers-that number is somewhat limited, to probably a handful- I do not count booted horses of course as they are effectively shod- just in slippy, unstable, ill-fitted rubber!
 
if he has previously been ok behind but is not now I would get vet out to check that lami is not playing a part in this but if mine needed shoes she would have them if all other avenues had been tried
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top