|
|
Post by fimacg on Mar 7, 2011 16:13:33 GMT
I have had Brave barefoot for the last 8 weeks and he has coped reasonably well with most types of ground but gravel and stones. However as the weather is improving and the ground becoming firmer i.e. no longer a wet bog.  he has become increasingly footsore. He had a trim during the middle of last week and by Saturday he was unridable as his feet were so obviously hurting him, short stride even on smooth swept concrete, walking on impossible verges down to the field and only really stepping out once he was in the field on the grass. So the experiment is over, he is having his shoes back on on Thursday. |
|
|
|
Post by scattymare on Mar 7, 2011 20:25:02 GMT
Well you tried. I wonder if it's the grass coming through - reading a bit into barefoot seems to suggest that some horses can become 'footy' when the spring grass starts.
I took Eds off before I went away. Going to start riding her tomorrow so will have to see how she copes.
|
|
|
|
Post by rainbow on Mar 7, 2011 21:35:34 GMT
im testing out barefoot to an so far she has seemed fine on all surfaces but only go out 2days on weekends and not alot of road work. Have looked at her feet though yest cause she was startin to get a bit long before i starting hacking again. thought that hacking would wear them down instead of the farrier but thinking now she may need them sorting.
Fronts she is wearing more on the outsides back left is wearing evenly and back right is starting to get in a bit of a point. Thing is i dont knw weather to get the farrier what do u think?
Fi at least u tried it out there is no harm in putting shoes back on if they are sore.
|
|
|
|
Post by racaille on Mar 8, 2011 6:39:32 GMT
Well, it's sensible to acknowledge that not all horses can go barefoot. I tried R, as he has iron hooves, but this rocky terrain was too much for him.
And hasn't Brig had to reluctantly shoe again?
|
|
|
|
Post by fimacg on Mar 8, 2011 12:19:22 GMT
Brave's feet haven't cracked and he does have feet of iron, but maybe thats why he feels them?
I guess he could feel every stone underneath them, he is now OK again on a good surface i.e. smooth concrete, arena, but still a but footsore on the road and incredibly sore where it is gravely or stoney which make up a lot of the off road tracks around here.
I could have gone down the route of hoof boots but I want to do some ODE and hunter trials etc with him this summer and decided shoes are the easier option.
|
|
|
|
Post by jack on Mar 8, 2011 13:01:46 GMT
jack has been bare foot for 5 yrs now and he has fantasic feet farrier has said he has great feet and he wouldnt want to see his shod how ever george has terrible feet and will need shoes its not for all horses well done for trying
|
|
|
|
Post by duckles on Mar 8, 2011 20:15:09 GMT
that's a shame but I suppose that is why we do need shoes - some horses just can't cope. I would love to go barefoot myself but Jb's feet too thin and soft. Well done for trying. o
|
|
|
|
Post by brigadier on Mar 8, 2011 21:34:35 GMT
Ive had to shoe again Fi, its just not feasible for Basil, I got him fit for an endurance but on the last trot session he wore away so much hoof he was lame and I had to take a friends horse. He was also very footy on tracks and I simply realised he had had enough. You cant win em all!
|
|
jane
Novice Willy Washer
Posts: 954
|
Post by jane on Mar 8, 2011 22:10:35 GMT
Living where I am the terrain is too tough for most horses, a friends pony is barefoot but she always looks footy to me. She is a lovely thing and because she doesn't complain they carry on no matter what has been hinted to them.
I have known a few going barefoot over the years but if they are doing any work round here they always end up in shoes,
|
|
for so much hard work we thank ye!!
