Barefoot problems

Horseychick010 · 11-21-2005, 12:31 AM

When im regulary working my horse, he wears shoes due to his soft feet. But at the moment, i don't have much time and he is completely shoeless. I was wondering is i could lunge him on dirt with the occosional rock without injury him, or even would it make him lame? pls reply.

Jig · 11-21-2005, 04:18 AM

Hm.. It really depends on your horse. Some of them have more difficulty then others. Some hooves will just cripple when the shoes are off. I would guess that since he's used to shoes and has soft feet that a decent sized rock would bruise him... as it would most horses

freedom32 · 11-21-2005, 04:59 AM

Depends on how soft his feet are. You can try it, and see how he moves, but if he looks ouchy at all I would stop. Try and pick out the rocks tho, that can cause a bruise or a chip.

salemvot · 11-21-2005, 05:37 AM

I would rake and pick the rocks out of the area first, then see how he goes. I wouldn't want to risk a stone bruise.

JBandRio · 11-21-2005, 06:59 AM

Depends on how good the trim is. Generally, sand is very forgiving.

horsegent · 11-21-2005, 02:33 PM

In the uk we have a saying "no foot no horse"!

Can I suggest that rather than messing about you get a good farrier to come out and review your horse and have him shod if you intend to work him when he clearly struggles unshod.

Nevada_Silk · 11-21-2005, 07:20 PM

I ride all my horses barefoot. Trail riding mostly...rocky trails. I used to show hunters and jumpers with a barefoot horse. No problems.

Asfaloth · 11-23-2005, 10:12 AM

I prefer barefoot too. However it does take 6 months to ayear to aclimate a horse to being barefoot when he is accustomed to shoes. if you plan to keep him barefoot you need to turn him out in a pasture as much as possible and only work him on soft ground for a month or two and then be careful for a while where you ride and how much.

If you plan to put shoes on again soon you probably should not work him on anything but soft ground.

3WishesDun · 11-23-2005, 10:25 AM

Anyone use or recommend products like Keratex, TuffStuff, or venice turpentine for toughening up the soles?

JBandRio · 11-23-2005, 10:32 AM

I have used Keratex Hoof Hardener in the past, when my TB gelding was shod, when he had soft soles due to a nearly constantly wet winter one year. It did help.

11-21-2005, 12:31 AM	#1
Horseychick010 Full Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 91 Images: 3	Barefoot problems When im regulary working my horse, he wears shoes due to his soft feet. But at the moment, i don't have much time and he is completely shoeless. I was wondering is i could lunge him on dirt with the occosional rock without injury him, or even would it make him lame? pls reply.

11-21-2005, 04:18 AM	#2
Jig Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 600 Images: 41	Hm.. It really depends on your horse. Some of them have more difficulty then others. Some hooves will just cripple when the shoes are off. I would guess that since he's used to shoes and has soft feet that a decent sized rock would bruise him... as it would most horses __________________ "So the next time someone says that he's "Just a horse", "Just" Smile.. because they "Just" don't understand."

11-21-2005, 04:59 AM	#3
freedom32 Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Capital of the Steeler Nation--PITTSBURGH Posts: 8,642 Images: 496 Blog Entries: 147	Depends on how soft his feet are. You can try it, and see how he moves, but if he looks ouchy at all I would stop. Try and pick out the rocks tho, that can cause a bruise or a chip. __________________ Pittsburgh gals bleed black & gold 'If Detroit is hockey town, then Pittsburgh must be hockey Heaven!'~Paul Steigerwald proud resident of the city of Champiyinz

11-21-2005, 06:59 AM	#5
JBandRio Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NC Posts: 32,000 Images: 196 Blog Entries: 12	Depends on how good the trim is. Generally, sand is very forgiving. __________________ - JB Acres, owned and operated by Dynamite animals. - It's a wonder horses as a whole don't just kill us all and be done with their misery. - Keep your voice soothing and low - even when things get western (buck1173)

11-21-2005, 07:20 PM	#7
Nevada_Silk Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: GA Posts: 1,145 Images: 13	I ride all my horses barefoot. Trail riding mostly...rocky trails. I used to show hunters and jumpers with a barefoot horse. No problems. __________________ There are only two emotions that belong in the saddle; one is a sense of humor and the other is patience ~ John Lyons Defeat: Osama, Obama, and Chelsea's Mama!

11-21-2005, 05:37 AM	#4
salemvot Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: USA Posts: 428 Images: 28 Blog Entries: 1	I would rake and pick the rocks out of the area first, then see how he goes. I wouldn't want to risk a stone bruise.

11-21-2005, 02:33 PM	#6
horsegent Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: UK Posts: 696	In the uk we have a saying "no foot no horse"! Can I suggest that rather than messing about you get a good farrier to come out and review your horse and have him shod if you intend to work him when he clearly struggles unshod.

11-23-2005, 10:12 AM	#8
Asfaloth Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Pennsylvania, south of Pittsburgh Posts: 1,025 Images: 36	I prefer barefoot too. However it does take 6 months to ayear to aclimate a horse to being barefoot when he is accustomed to shoes. if you plan to keep him barefoot you need to turn him out in a pasture as much as possible and only work him on soft ground for a month or two and then be careful for a while where you ride and how much. If you plan to put shoes on again soon you probably should not work him on anything but soft ground. __________________ Happiness is Owning and Riding Somthing Extraordinary

11-23-2005, 10:25 AM	#9
3WishesDun Senior Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: At My Wit's End Posts: 17,689 Images: 659 Blog Entries: 27	Anyone use or recommend products like Keratex, TuffStuff, or venice turpentine for toughening up the soles? __________________ Madness takes its toll. Please have exact change. The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep. -Frost I've Been Snowballed!

11-23-2005, 10:32 AM	#10
JBandRio Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NC Posts: 32,000 Images: 196 Blog Entries: 12	I have used Keratex Hoof Hardener in the past, when my TB gelding was shod, when he had soft soles due to a nearly constantly wet winter one year. It did help. __________________ - JB Acres, owned and operated by Dynamite animals. - It's a wonder horses as a whole don't just kill us all and be done with their misery. - Keep your voice soothing and low - even when things get western (buck1173)

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