A better hoof without bar shoes

Joey has now been here 7 weeks and is overdue an update so this comes with apologies for the delay. 

He arrived in bar shoes which were intended to "support" his palmar hoof and the DDFT injury he had suffered although, as these photos show, his feet are quite capable of providing their own support. The most obvious change from this angle is how much hoof he has grown in 7 weeks, which you can see from the nail holes. 

Comparing the photos again, the rapid hoof growth is evident along with a shorter toe and in fact the palmar hoof is more supported out of shoes than it was in bar shoes. 

The reason for this becomes clearer of course when you look at his sole shots. The bar shoe looks impressive but is in fact removing almost all the stimulus which the palmar hoof desperately needs in order to strengthen. 

Two weeks out of shoes his feet are clearly weak, flat and lacking strength with a weak frog, bars and heels. 

Five weeks later things are improving with a much stronger frog and a palmar hoof which is developing well even though Joey's landing is not yet as good as it could be. 

A look at the digital cushion reveals development here too along with a shorter, more balanced foot. 

Looking at his right foot confirms the changes we've already seen on the left. 

Look at the hoof 2 weeks out of bar shoes and 5 weeks out of bar shoes and tell me which is better developed and stronger. 

Lets caption these photos "hoof with artificial support" - above - and "hoof without artificial" support - below - and see which approach has had more effect. 

In my opinion, when you compare these photos its pretty hard to justify a role of the bar shoe in hoof rehabilitation.