'Footy' Barefoot advice please

[Laura2184]

Hi,

Prince has been barefoot all his life and I want to keep it that way but he is VERY footy over gravely ground, it doesn't even have to particulary stoney:(

He is fed a handful of chaff, seaweed, garlic and flaxseed oil. He also gets haylage at night he is in from 05:30 - 08:00 and then turned out. The field hasnt got that much grass in it.

My farrier comes every 6 weeks and he is a barefoot trimmer as well as a farrier. He is very good and tells me that Prince has got good feet but I keep forgetting to ask him about this!!

Have you any ideas why he is so footy and what I can do to help?

Thanks

[MelanieD]

You really need to ask your farrier since its hard to tell without seeing the feet.

He might have pretty good feet but some bit or other isn't strong enough to cope with the gravel so he feels it a bit too much. Possibly wet ground is softening the soles or frogs and making them more sensitive but being in at night should be helping with that. Could be as simple as a bit of thrush in the frog making it sensitive. Or possibly needs some diet changes, the grass is growing quite well considering the time of year so its possible its something along the lines of low grade laminitis.

What you can do about it really depends on what's causing the problem..

[Yann]

My first thought having a horse that's a bit susceptible to this but also has otherwise nice feet is low grade laminitis, as Melanie says the grass has started up again over the last few days. Is there unusual heat in the foot, particularly the coronet, or raised digital pulses? Unless there's some infection in the frog this sounds like your most likely problem, especially if he's previously been alright.

Is he sensitive in hand or just ridden, or both? I would definitely run it past your farrier and get his thoughts.

[Laura2184]

He has always been footy really, Ive only just started riding him out on hacks again so am starting to notice it. He is footy inhand too as well as ridden, as long as Ive ridden him he's always tried to take the grass route or the softer way when we've been out.

I have had him for 2 1/2 years

[Snow_Pony]

My anglo Harry is footy on gravel, not very, but prefers to be on grass. I assumed it was because his feet were so wet from being turned out 24/7. He is on a low sugar diet anyway (high fibre cubes) He is also footy in hand too.
Interested in repsonses to this thread.. :)

xxx

[redcomet]

Have you thought about using some equiboots instead. That way you dont have to have him shod but the boots will offer him some comfort over hard/uneven ground.
Write yourself a post it and stick it to your farrier's cheque/money so u remember to ask him next time he's due a visit.

[Laura2184]

But because he's ALWAYS been footy surely that can't be low grade lami? :confused: or can it?! :eek:

[lachlanandmarcu]

I think the ground has become quite 'pricky' over the last week or so, but if always like this I would ask farrier opinion. If you get the all clear, I would use boots just to give comfort, I find them great in anything but deep mud (when mine is better off without).

good luck:)

[Remmy]

But because he's ALWAYS been footy surely that can't be low grade lami? :confused: or can it?! :eek:

Well, yes.... it could be. Looking back, mine had been like that for two years before the penny dropped.... and help from some very lovely people involved in equine podiatry:)