[Two Socks]

I am wondering if anybody can help me and information about flat shoeing a horse. I have never had to shoe any of my horses before. Last summer my mare would always go lame after riding her on gravel for a while but you could ride her all day in an arena and she would be fine. My vet said that some horses have sensetive feet and that maybe trying to flat shoe her would help. I don't know anythink about flat shoes or shoeing a horse period. I have contacted a farrier and am just waiting for a phone call back. We are going to set up a time for him to come out and look at my horse and see what he thinks would work for her the best. But in the meantime i was going to see if anybody here could give me their views on flat shoes. Thanks

[JBandRio]

Not sure what you mean by "flat shoes"?

Most horses are sensitive on gravel because the trim isn't right, or the diet is compromising the health of the foot, or both. Shoeing might alleviate the pain, but they don't fix the underlying problem.

It's beneficial to find out why your horse gets sore on gravel before deciding to put shoes on the bandaid the problem.

[haunani]

Also, how often was she on the gravel? Like people, horses benefit from building up a callous on the rougher surfaces. If you walked around in sand all day and then had to go into gravel barefoot, you'd be tender, too, wouldn't you?

[sorrell]

If I am not mistaken, a flat shoe is another term for one without caulks, or squared off at the toe, etc.
Shoeing sometimes helps with sensitive footed horses, though alternative methods are available.

[Two Socks]

I am not sure what they mean by flat shoes either, by the way the farrier talks it is a shoe that cover the whole bottom of the foot.

She has been on the same diet since i have had her. She gets 1/2 a coffee can of 11% sweet feed and is in the pasture. Is there something else that i should feed her to help her with her feet.

Hopefully when i meet with the farrier he can shed some light on what is going on with her. Thanks for your insight.

[sorrell]

Originally Posted by Two Socks

I am not sure what they mean by flat shoes either, by the way the farrier talks it is a shoe that cover the whole bottom of the foot.

She has been on the same diet since i have had her. She gets 1/2 a coffee can of 11% sweet feed and is in the pasture. Is there something else that i should feed her to help her with her feet.

Hopefully when i meet with the farrier he can shed some light on what is going on with her. Thanks for your insight.

He may be talking about pads. They help prevent foreign objects from irritating the sole,.

[Two Socks]

Originally Posted by haunani

Also, how often was she on the gravel? Like people, horses benefit from building up a callous on the rougher surfaces. If you walked around in sand all day and then had to go into gravel barefoot, you'd be tender, too, wouldn't you?

I usually ride her on gravel but last year she started to come up lame after riding on gravel.

[haunani]

Originally Posted by Two Socks

I usually ride her on gravel but last year she started to come up lame after riding on gravel.

In that case, ditto what JBandRio said.

[JBandRio]

Originally Posted by haunani

In that case, ditto what JBandRio said.

Ayup - something is changing to make her feet sensitive. Either the trim is making things this way, or her feet are rebelling against either the sweet feed or the grass, or both.