Would It Be ok??

[NoviceNic]

I have Captain shod about every 7 weeks. If I think about it though I have only hacked out twice during this period. So I was thinking about having his shoes taken off next time. If we get good days I may consider a bit of hacking but will probably only be about once a fortnight. Will this be ok for him to go barefoot for about 7 weeks or will it hurt????

[Bay Mare]

IMO 7 weeks is a bit long between having their feet done whether you have shoes on or not, personally I would want to leave them no longer than 6 weeks (at the moment it's between 4 and 5 weeks). Any imbalances not only have more potential to cause harm but there will also be a bigger difference in the 'feel' for the horse.

I'm a bit confused as to what you're asking, to be honest. If you're asking about the barefoot transition then I would get an EP trim (if that's what you're looking for) a lot sooner than 7 weeks (I would say certainly within the first fortnight). You most likely will get a lot of 'mouse holes' (as I call them) as the hoof tries to 'trim' itself and the nail holes grow out. Getting regular trims will keep the hoof in a nice shape, encourage it to grow correctly and stop it from looking TOO horrific. You'll be amazed at how quickly things change once you get the shoes off and they start transitioning.

Also, every horse is different. Mine took to barefoot like a duck to water. Others can be a bit ouchy at first especially if they've been in shoes for a long time.

The best thing to do is have a look at the barefoot forums on Enlightened Equitation, they're a great resource and you'll find links to other sites on there too.

[nicolaj]

Best bet is to talk to your farrier, take their advice. Our farrier is very good and will say if he feels a horse doesn't really need shoes.

I think I recall Captain being a cob? Sometimes, (not all the time I know) cobs tend to have very good feet which generally don't need shoeing, they grow well and appear to keep themselves 'neat'.

I don't really know a lot about all the different barefoot trims and styles out there. I have Fatty's feet checked by the farrier when he comes and trimmed as necessary, but then he has never had shoes on, so his feet have been allowed to grow naturally. Also ignore the comment about white feet, Fatty has four white feet and they are solid!

If you plan to take his shoes off, I maybe wouldn't wait 7 weeks for the farrier, but call him back after 3-4 just to make sure everything is okay. He may be a bit 'ouchy' at first, but if you're not riding much then to be honest it will give him time to get used to being unshod.

[Mehitabel]

echo nicola - you need to check with your farrier, explain what you want to do and get his/her input.

[Jessey]

If your talking about having the shoes off for just 7 weeks as you are not 'using' them I would be dubious, he could end up really foot sore for that whole time, on the other hand he may be absolutely fine.

Resting the feet from shoes in winter is often done but normally for 5-6 months, which is good because it allows lots of natural growth and for the foot to toughen up a bit. To do this for 7 weeks will only give time of the first stages where the foot breaks (cracks and chunks missing round the bottom edge) and not give enough time for this to grow out fully or for any real long term change in the foot (hardening up etc) and this could all spell trouble for getting a shoe back on in 7 weeks time.

If however you are thinking about all winter or longer term this could be a good plan (to start it now when you're not doing too much) but I would talk to your farrier.

My guys are bare foot (2 gone back from shoes and youngster never had shoes) and they do really well, Mine go 6-8 weeks between trims depending on how much work they are doing/growth etc.

J x

[Giveitago]

Take advice from the farrier, much as we would all love to have our horses barefoot, some just cant due to stony ground, poor hooves.

My girl can and thats great, my boy cant and suffers badly without ridden or not.

[chickflick1066]

Hmm, i was just thinking this question. Just the other week i was saying how Stumpy has NEVER lost a shoe and guess what...bought her in today with one shoe missing:eek: :o. To tell you the truth, I didn;t notice into the end of our ride when I went to pick out her feet again and saw she had one missing.

I'd LOVE to go shoeless with Stumpy but not sure if the roadwork will effect her - we won't be doing that much roadwork during the winter but its a huge amount in summer - any ideas guys?

[stevielee]

Best thing to do would be ask your farrier. Our farrier advised us to get Spyder doen every 7 weeks as she does have good feet. If anything did happen e.g she lost a shoe he would come out too

[SarahC]

yep, ask your farrier. But, Spangle had to have her shoes taken off a while back and she got very foot sore for about 3 weeks or so. Her feet then hardened up nicely. However, since then I have only had front shoes put on and she's doing really well like that. Would that be an option for you?

S

[chickflick1066]

Not sure if your're asking me there!

But I think next time he (the farrier) comes I'll ask him to take off the backs and leave the fronts on. He's coming to replace the lost shoe but I've decided if she pulls them off I'll have all four taken off.

[Gill]

I wouldn't worry too much about roadwork. You can build it up and they usually go well on smooth flat surfaces. There is a lot less concussion without shoes and that is felt throughout their limbs not just in the hooves so you see good changes in their joint alignment and shoulders etc too.That new SMA roadsurface which has caused such problems for shod horses with slipping, is very good for bare hooves.

[Tiber]

My pony had her shoes off summer 04 when she managed to wedge a lead rope under one of her hind shoes as she went tearing round the field :eek: :rolleyes: . She had some time off (due to injury) but by the spring was able to go out on the roads. I found Keratex hoof hardener very useful over the winter when she was in soggy fields all the time, but so far this winter she is absolutely fine without. We've been doing a bit of roadwork every day as well and as long as you build it up slowly and aren't bothered about the feet chipping while they get used to it and wear down then it's no problem. With both Captain and Stumpy I would be tempted to have their shoes off and get an EP out to do a barefoot trim to balance them up properly then, unless they've got bad feet (talk to your farrier first), they should be ok.

[NoviceNic]

Thanks everyone. I will speak to my farrier. Captain has good solid feet. So it may be an option...