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[RC] More on the Appy mare's hooves - Sheryl OI have been reading the responses and really
appreciate the different points of view. I know that
different horses/situations have unique needs and I
really do feel enriched by hearing all the experiences
here. I am not an expert and so have to rely heavily
on people around me who do have much more horse
experience and try to make the best judgments I can.
I don't know how to trim or even rasp my horse's feet
and I will honestly admit that is not on my "A list"
of horsemanship skills to master. First, I would say
that the comments that my farrier doesn't do a
"barefoot" trim rings true. He is a believer in
shoeing for a riding horse more then barefoot so it
follows that his methods support his "belief" system.
Also, her soles are flat, not scooped by nature. I
can see the sole shape would contribute to the "ouchy"
problem.
I guess I didn't think it through too well, I just
thought I would leave her barefoot for a few months
since she has good hard hoof walls that don't split
and in the winter we are riding in a soft arena so it
seemed harmless enough. In fact, she did fine from
Oct (when the shoes were pulled) until just recently.
I talked to the barn owner (a farrier himself who
unfortunately isn't taking more clients) and a
possible theory is that soft wet pasture, combined
with a crushed gravel path to and from the turnout and
crossing the concrete to the barn with those flat
soles and perhaps a slightly too short trim led to
some sort of bruising or ouchiness on her feet. This
makes sense as a theory, but I think that time will
tell if that is really the case. I noticed that she
walks like she hurts mostly on the hard surface and
looks pretty good on the soft arena ground - although
I am waiting before riding to give her time to heal.
Anyway, I like my farrier, the trainer thinks he is
fine and the barn owner actually recommended him. I
like how he handles the horses and I appreciate his
"horsemanship" and general advice he shares so I am
not inclined to change BUT I will switch back to shoes
until I better understand how to properly manage
switching to a barefoot approach given the current
living conditions for the horse. At that time, it
makes sense to look for a real "barefoot" farrier.
Thanks again!
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