pulling shoes

Just an update, we have taken off Spirits shoes, I couldnt stand it anymore, since the first link he then pulled off more shoes and resulted in more box rest with his foot poulticed up. Always the same, front shoes, pulled off from the side and backwards, resulting in severe damage to hoof wall.

The farrier removed his shoes and said that the hooves would probably start to look much worse over the next few weeks, the next days. He was obviously sore when we walked him from where he was tied to the stable. Next morning, we had a terrible problem taking him up the track to the field, he refused to move and then did give in, he hobbled and limped all the way up and every time he hit the front of his feet on the large stones, he held his foot up, I felt awful. When we let him go in the field, he tore around (so feet were absolutely fine on grass!) and for the first time I could breathe a sigh of relief that he couldnt pull a shoe off! When we tried to take him out of the field, he refused to walk on the track back (obviously remembered the trip beforehand) so, I had to leave him in the field for 3 days while I tore around various tack shops to buy some hoof boots, Looked at many ones and settled on some Cavallo's size 2, he let me pop them on from the field and he walked perfectly down the track back to the stable.

After one week he is 100% sound in field, 70% sound on concrete when we walk him from the stable to tie up - Giving as much turnout out as possible on rough pasture (as recommended) and cutting all sugar from diet, I spoke to a barefoot trimmer and she said that the diet is very important, as the sugar in most horses diets and fro the grass as well, is too much, it can make the horse very sore on its feet, they incurr LGL - I didnt realise that shoes basically take away most feeling from the hoof, therefore most barefoot owners are always feeling their horses feet to see if there is any heat, if so, they shall often pull them from the grass. A shod horse hoof is usually cold, whereas a barefoot one is warm. With the shoes removed, the horse can now 'feel' his feet and therefore sugar which is bad for the horse, will mess up the horses feet, causing LGL and stretching the white line. She has told me to watch what I give him etc. Currently giving Alan & Page C&C and Honeychop Chaff so, that has to go.

The bottoms are starting to chip and to be honest look a mess but I guess that is to be expected as the hoof at the bottom was damaged to begin with.. I am putting on Kevin Bacon grease as well after scrubbing with anti septic to stop any bacteria getting into the holes and groves at the bottom. So, I guess its watch this space!!

Re: horse losing shoes constantly in field

Glad that you are giving barefoot a go. It sounds like your horse is making progress already with it. The hoof boots will help with the stoney track as it isn't worth seeing them in pain walking over surfaces they can't cope with, you might be surprised at how quickly they can cope with them though although some just don't get to rock crunching very quickly at all. Don't worry about the chipping at the bottom of the hooves as the hoof will take about a year to grow out . How long has been on the sugar diet? That will really help him to grow hoof capsule and hopefully you will start to see an improvement in the shape of his hoof soon. Looking forward to hearing how he progresses. At least he wont be pulling off his shoes and doing more damage to his feet now.

thorough bred ex racer going barefoot

I dont think I have ever looked at and checked my horsey's feet so much since the shoes were removed! - The hoof boots have been a god send, His feet were warmer than usual today which worried me and one thing I am unclear on is - 24/7 turnout is advisable to help blood circulation and hardening of the feet, but too much sugar i.e. from the grass, can cause LGL also too much hard ground can cause laminitus on a new barefoot horse. At the moment I am bringing him in at night but, his feet were warmer than usual this morning and another lady down the yard who is also barefoot said, he should be moving as much as possi ble and to leave him out. The grass isnt that rich but, enough of it.  We are only a week into the whole barefoot thing and yet it feels like a year already! - A big lump of hoof came off last night and he has a crack up the front from where the two clip was. I shall try and upload some photos that we took a few days ago. I have also had some purple bruising appear along the very top of his hoof, on the side towards the back, where the hoof goes squishy before it joins the leg, if that make sense, under the coronet band.

Re: horse losing shoes constantly in field

Really clear photos !!

After I retired Bracken and had her shoes taken off her feet went very like your photos - they split out and cracked, and I was almost in two minds about having shoes put back on, lol, and she had to be on bute for a while, but things do get better.

How often does your farrier trim? You may find until the cracks have gone from where the nails were that he'll need trimming every 3 or 4 weeks, just to keep on top of it.

Also the bruising could be from him being a bit tender and getting used to being barefoot and nothing to do with laminitis at all. And yes, it is a good thing to keep them moving.

A good thing for stopping infection is Cyclospray, but you can only get it on prescription through your vet - it's a turquoise coloured antiseptic spray which really penetrates into the foot, I've had it for our rescue loan gelding who has had foot problems ever since we've had him, poor chap, it really does work and is easy to use.

I'm sure with time things'll improve, good luck with it all :o)

Re: horse losing shoes constantly in field

Another thought - feeding magnesium oxide (the 'heavy' sort) and also limestone flour will help harden up the feet and give better hoof quality.

And the Cyclospray has a similar effect to Keratex in that it will help harden the soles.