Going bare!!

HighHorse · 07-23-2008, 09:21 PM

Last year Jack's feet were terrible. I started him on HS about mid-year, and by winter his hooves were headed toward serious damage. I had him shod, and they were way better....for a while. Now the HS has grown down almost to the toe, and they look pretty good.

After much consideration, I decided to pull Jack's shoes. Last week my farrier pulled his shoes, and after almost a week we are doing spectacular!

I am really excited to go barefoot, again!

Hopefully he will do well since we have been getting a good bit of rain. Luckily our property is the 'high and dry' type. Our ground gets moist, but never muddy.

Fingers crossed that he doesn't have any complications.

BarnBum · 07-23-2008, 09:26 PM

I am glad that I pulled the shoes on my gelding. You might have to trim earlier than normal compared to when you had shoes on him. My gelding is on a 5 week trim schedule. You might want to consider some venice turpentine to paint on the bottom of his feet to help harden them up. If they chip/crack alot, consider a hoof supplement. Also, might want to look into some boots for when you trail ride.

HighHorse · 07-23-2008, 09:36 PM

Already done

Actually the shoes were on because I had to do something while I was waiting for the HS (Horseshoer's Secret) to absorb and grow down.

I have already painted his hooves with a hardner made right up in Gainesville.

Aaannd, I just put him on a 5 wk schedule when I made my last appt.

So... Great advice!

ETA: I don't have the boots, yet. I still haven't figured out how to measure. I also have more research to do, I don't know of a quality company. They'll be used for TR and Parades. Do you know of any?

aaliyah226 · 07-23-2008, 11:04 PM

I used a new farrier for the horses this time he was great and I asked him what he was using on the horses hoofs he told me it was Jubliee floor wax first I have heard of that

bunnyal · 07-24-2008, 04:59 AM

That's awesome HighHorse, just think of the money you'll save. In all the years I've had horses, I never put a shoe on any one of them.

**gbarmranch** · 07-24-2008, 05:23 AM

Good for you - hopefully he will stay happy without shoes..

luvmyOTTBs · 07-25-2008, 02:15 PM

I have had my two guys barefoot for a few years. I have them trimmed every 4-5 weeks as well, and I ride with the Easyboot Epics. There is an earlier thread about boots, I have used the Boas as well, and not really a fan of those, I am looking into the bares (I have read they are difficult to put on and off), but they mimic the barefoot more.

Interesting thread on toughening up hooves, I am going to try the Venice Turpentine now.

libbytn · 07-25-2008, 07:57 PM

We've pulled the shoes on our three. So far I'm loving it. I think I might try the venice turpentine too.

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07-23-2008, 09:21 PM
HighHorse Started Join Date: May 2007 Location: FLA Posts: 2,908	Going bare!! Last year Jack's feet were terrible. I started him on HS about mid-year, and by winter his hooves were headed toward serious damage. I had him shod, and they were way better....for a while. Now the HS has grown down almost to the toe, and they look pretty good. After much consideration, I decided to pull Jack's shoes. Last week my farrier pulled his shoes, and after almost a week we are doing spectacular! I am really excited to go barefoot, again! Hopefully he will do well since we have been getting a good bit of rain. Luckily our property is the 'high and dry' type. Our ground gets moist, but never muddy. Fingers crossed that he doesn't have any complications. __________________ I played with a clouded leopard

07-23-2008, 09:26 PM
BarnBum Greenbroke Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sunshine State Posts: 3,612	I am glad that I pulled the shoes on my gelding. You might have to trim earlier than normal compared to when you had shoes on him. My gelding is on a 5 week trim schedule. You might want to consider some venice turpentine to paint on the bottom of his feet to help harden them up. If they chip/crack alot, consider a hoof supplement. Also, might want to look into some boots for when you trail ride. __________________ Murphys Horse Law - A horse's misbehavior will be in direct proportion to the number of people who are watching !!

07-23-2008, 09:36 PM
HighHorse Started Join Date: May 2007 Location: FLA Posts: 2,908	Already done Actually the shoes were on because I had to do something while I was waiting for the HS (Horseshoer's Secret) to absorb and grow down. I have already painted his hooves with a hardner made right up in Gainesville. Aaannd, I just put him on a 5 wk schedule when I made my last appt. So... Great advice! ETA: I don't have the boots, yet. I still haven't figured out how to measure. I also have more research to do, I don't know of a quality company. They'll be used for TR and Parades. Do you know of any? __________________ I played with a clouded leopard

07-23-2008, 11:04 PM
aaliyah226 Weanling Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: loxahatchee fla Posts: 315	I used a new farrier for the horses this time he was great and I asked him what he was using on the horses hoofs he told me it was Jubliee floor wax first I have heard of that

07-24-2008, 04:59 AM
bunnyal Yearling Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Pasco County, Florida Posts: 837	That's awesome HighHorse, just think of the money you'll save. In all the years I've had horses, I never put a shoe on any one of them. __________________ mysite.verizon.net/res8ismu/whisperoaks When I die I want to be buried face down, so those who didn't like me can kiss my a**!

07-24-2008, 05:23 AM
gbarmranch Administrator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 29,240	Good for you - hopefully he will stay happy without shoes.. __________________ Quality Foundation Quarter Horses http://home.earthlink.net/~vpgann Perhaps the best Yuletide decoration is being wreathed in smiles. ~Author Unknown

07-25-2008, 02:15 PM
luvmyOTTBs Newborn Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: ON Posts: 45	barefoot I have had my two guys barefoot for a few years. I have them trimmed every 4-5 weeks as well, and I ride with the Easyboot Epics. There is an earlier thread about boots, I have used the Boas as well, and not really a fan of those, I am looking into the bares (I have read they are difficult to put on and off), but they mimic the barefoot more. Interesting thread on toughening up hooves, I am going to try the Venice Turpentine now.

07-25-2008, 07:57 PM
libbytn Weanling Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Atoka, Tn Posts: 353	We've pulled the shoes on our three. So far I'm loving it. I think I might try the venice turpentine too.