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Barefoot advice please - update post 55

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  • Original Poster
    #41
    Originally posted by spotnnotfarm View Post
    Do what is best for your horse
    Yup, that's the goal here!

    Comment

    • Original Poster
      #42
      Originally posted by MunchkinsMom View Post
      Long story short, give the farrier a chance to explain his reasoning, and give the barefoot a try, you can always put shoes back on if it doesn't work out.
      I certainly will, I think I owe him that. I certainly do want to try barefoot though, unless I get a really valid reason not to go for it.

      Comment

      • Original Poster
        #43
        So, today is the big day - hind shoes to be removed. At least I think they are . . . I phoned my farrier over a week ago and left a message that I would like to try barefoot behind, for the reasons listed in my first post. Asked farrier to phone me back, if there were compelling reasons why I should not go this route. I've never heard back. I'm a bit annoyed about not getting a call either way, but that's not unusual for this farrier and technically I didn't ask for a call to acknowledge that my message was recv'd.

        On Saturday, trimmer will be out to do fellow boarder's horse. I plan to have him look at my guy to determine how the hinds look, etc. Then we'll go from there . . .

        Comment

        • #44
          Originally posted by Alter1234 View Post
          So, today is the big day - hind shoes to be removed. At least I think they are . . . I phoned my farrier over a week ago and left a message....
          Since he hasn't responded to even acknowledge receiving your message, it would probably be in your best interest to call again. If you don't hold your own horse for trimming, then whoever tends to the horses during farrier visits should also be aware that your horse should not be getting hind shoes. Otherwise, you could show up afterward to find your horse reshod all the way around, a farrier claiming he never got the memo, and a bill for services you didn't want.
          "I did know once, only I've sort of forgotten." - Winnie the Pooh

          Comment

          • Original Poster
            #45
            Originally posted by Aggie4Bar View Post
            Since he hasn't responded to even acknowledge receiving your message, it would probably be in your best interest to call again. If you don't hold your own horse for trimming, then whoever tends to the horses during farrier visits should also be aware that your horse should not be getting hind shoes. Otherwise, you could show up afterward to find your horse reshod all the way around, a farrier claiming he never got the memo, and a bill for services you didn't want.
            Guess who just called?! Farrier waited until he got to the barn, so that he could take a look at his feet and then call me. Not a bad idea actually.

            Was not recommending barefoot behind at this time - said back hooves were chipped and cracked. Not sure what horse he was looking at - I studied my guys feet last night (as I do every night) and didn't see a crack or chip anywhere - front or back! hmmmm

            I said, go ahead and pull the shoes behind. He said maybe you want to wait until after the first frost - I said no, ground was softer now. He mentioned stomping at flies . . . well, it's been fairly cool, I don't think the flies will be an issue much longer. Not to mention, I do have fly boots for him . . .

            So, we'll see. Does he think I don't monitor my horse's hooves? Honestly, his feet are in the best shape they've ever been . . .

            Comment

            • #46
              Well good luck! I haven't read all the posts but if your horse isn't on a hoof supplement then start one now. Will help a lot and hopefully get you to the point where you only need shoes in front or during show season! Also find a good hoof oil of some kind. You may want Venice turpentine at first to help with the tenderness, But we use Hoof Heal http://www.doversaddlery.com/product...&zmap=X1-22416
              I think unless you're in a drought or something, fall and the rainy season is a good time to pull shoes.
              We put our horse in shoes for the first time this season! We are the rare barefoot Eventer but wee ( farrier and I ) agreed that until he went to Training level he didn't need them. He's done well with that plan. Keep us posted!
              "If you've got a horse, you've got a problem"

              Comment

              • Original Poster
                #47
                Originally posted by wishnwell View Post
                Well good luck! I haven't read all the posts but if your horse isn't on a hoof supplement then start one now. Will help a lot and hopefully get you to the point where you only need shoes in front or during show season! Also find a good hoof oil of some kind. You may want Venice turpentine at first to help with the tenderness, But we use Hoof Heal http://www.doversaddlery.com/product...&zmap=X1-22416
                I think unless you're in a drought or something, fall and the rainy season is a good time to pull shoes.
                We put our horse in shoes for the first time this season! We are the rare barefoot Eventer but wee ( farrier and I ) agreed that until he went to Training level he didn't need them. He's done well with that plan. Keep us posted!
                He is currently getting Glanzen3, has been getting a hoof supplement of some kind for almost a year and I have seen significant improvement in his hoof quality. I have also been using Keratex hoof hardener and have some dura sole up my sleeve should he need it.

                I normally ride inside - pretty cushy footing. My only real worry is turnout time - pastures and paddocks are getting pretty hard. But, we'll see how it goes. I can always put shoes back on . . .

                Comment

                • Original Poster
                  #48
                  Got to the barn tonight and my guy was shoeless behind - no cracks or chips, just nice looking bare feet! He seemed fine in the cross ties while I groomed him. Took him into the indoor, put him on a lunge line and watched him go. Looked pretty normal at the walk. Asked for a trot - he was a little reluctant and seemed a bit ouchy. Nothing horrible, just NQR. I didn't push it and put him back in his stall after coating his hinds with Dura Sole. So, we'll take it day by day, but I'm sure he's gonna do just fine. (To be on the safe side, at least for a few days, he'll be in turnout in the indoor.)

                  Comment

                  • #49
                    Tell farrier you can not afford shoes - so please pull shoes and just trim from now on. Once you can affors shoes again you'll let him know. If he argues ask him if he'll shoe for same price as barefoot since you can NOT afford shoes. Problem resolved unless he refuses to just trim your horse - then you'll need to find a new farrier.
                    Now in Kentucky

                    Comment

                    • Original Poster
                      #50
                      Very interesting observation

                      Took my guy out for a walk last night - in the indoor, on the lunge line - not pushing it, I'm in no hurry. Anyway, he has always had a bit of step down, turn/twist motion on the right hind. It's never been an issue, he's never been off, etc. that's just the way he goes.

                      Now that he is barefoot, the turn/twist motion seems more pronounced - I'm thinking because the shoe "stuck" the motion was less . . . not sure if more motion is good, but I think less motion caused by the shoe stick could eventually be damaging?
                      Or am I totally off base here?

                      Anyway, he seems better, was much more energetic at the walk. Not too anxious to trot - I might hop on him tonight - because I can usually "feel" better than "see" (unless it's really obvious) what's going on.

                      In prep for removing front shoes I've started using Keratex Hardener on the sole as well as hoof wall. Wish I'd thought to start that a few weeks ago with the hinds . . .
                      Dura Sole for them right now.

                      Comment

                      • #51
                        Fingers crossed that this will work for your horse! I'd LOVE to have my two older TB's barefoot - but for these two particular horses, it just doesn't work - we've tried. One has horrible thin soles and the other has shelly walls, on top of both having significant arthritis. Hind shoes are the difference between being serviceably sound and being unrideable. Let's hope that your guy's twist/turn in back isn't happening because his hocks are sore without his shoes.

                        Comment

                        • Original Poster
                          #52
                          Originally posted by betsyk View Post
                          Fingers crossed that this will work for your horse! I'd LOVE to have my two older TB's barefoot - but for these two particular horses, it just doesn't work - we've tried. One has horrible thin soles and the other has shelly walls, on top of both having significant arthritis. Hind shoes are the difference between being serviceably sound and being unrideable. Let's hope that your guy's twist/turn in back isn't happening because his hocks are sore without his shoes.
                          Mine are crossed too! I think we will be OK, but I'll have a better idea once the trimmer takes a look on Saturday. I have high hopes though since my guy was barefoot when first purchased by my trainer. (She puts shoes on everyone.)

                          Since the twist/turn is not new and he's been sound all along, I don't think it's his hocks . . . at least I hope not. He hadn't seemed the least bit sore before we took off his shoes . . .

                          Comment

                          • #53
                            I am confused. What is a barefoot trimmer? My same farrier does shoes on the horses that need them and trims on the horses that don't. Are there farriers that only do trims? What is the difference between a barefoot trimmer and a farrier who also trims?

                            The mare my daughter is leasing does not wear shoes. She does equitation and hunters on her. I do put venice turpintine on her soles after she is trimmed. I know of many people who remove shoes in the winter or remove the back shoes and have had no problems. Each horse is an individual. Do what you think is best for you, your horse and your pocket book.

                            Comment

                            • #54
                              Originally posted by PonyPenny View Post
                              I am confused. What is a barefoot trimmer? My same farrier does shoes on the horses that need them and trims on the horses that don't. Are there farriers that only do trims? What is the difference between a barefoot trimmer and a farrier who also trims?

                              The mare my daughter is leasing does not wear shoes. She does equitation and hunters on her. I do put venice turpintine on her soles after she is trimmed. I know of many people who remove shoes in the winter or remove the back shoes and have had no problems. Each horse is an individual. Do what you think is best for you, your horse and your pocket book.
                              Yes, there are folks (not necessarily farriers) that only do trims.

                              My farrier does do trims and they are OK. However, we do have someone that specializes in trimming and I much prefer his trims for a barefoot horse. My farrier trims with shoes in mind, the barefoot trimmer trims with going barefoot in mind.
                              The differences are subtle - but they are there.
                              http://fromdressagehorsetocowpony.blogspot.com/

                              "I am still under the impression that there is nothing alive quite so beautiful as a thoroughbred horse." -- John Galsworthy

                              Comment

                              • Original Poster
                                #55
                                Update

                                I wanted to update everyone on our going barefoot journey. Yesterday was our second complete (front and hind) barefoot trim.

                                After a bit of initial soreness behind we have had no issues since the first trim in late September.

                                In early November front shoes were removed by farrier. Barefoot trimmer trimmed a few days later. My guy was pretty sore for a week - during which time he got some bute and was on indoor turnout. I was also applying dura sole a couple times a day and found some easy boots for him.
                                Second week he was much better - no more bute. By the third week I could ride without the easy boots and he was back to his normal turnout.

                                Trimmer was thrilled with his progress yesterday. Not a crack or chip in sight and following yesterday's trim - he was standing nice and square and walked off sound. Needless to say, I'm a very happy camper!

                                Comment

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