tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8415492346905673232.post4155020457256350406..comments2024-03-14T06:57:29.577+00:00Comments on Rockley Farm: Why not shoe? Nic Barkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06885459438592023135noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8415492346905673232.post-42616181319550207922015-05-09T09:18:48.705+01:002015-05-09T09:18:48.705+01:00People asking basic questions here how to do it, g...People asking basic questions here how to do it, go onto the Horse and Hound forum or the Pheonixhorse.myfastforum.org forum and lots of people will help you.cptrayeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06806267884197052118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8415492346905673232.post-49884636270979786532015-04-27T11:35:49.149+01:002015-04-27T11:35:49.149+01:00Kayley - short answer is yes any size horse and ye...Kayley - short answer is yes any size horse and yes they are better barefoot, especially following a navicular diagnosis. All the rehab horses here have that type of problem so for me its a no-brainer. <br /><br />Basbsi, I have put a lot more info on the blog about feed over the last few years. In fact between the blog and the Feet First book then you should be able to answer most diet questions!<br /><br />Lilylui, I would bet that you need to look at diet again - high sugar levels and low mineral levels are the cause of sole sensitivity in almost all cases - that or metabolic challenges. By all means shoe, but getting a really detailed look at your forage and other feed is the best way to ensure long term hoof health. <br /><br />Eldest Clock - I sympathise :-) There will always be the odd person like that unfortunately(!)Nic Barkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06885459438592023135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8415492346905673232.post-41400953703526241912015-04-24T16:00:13.603+01:002015-04-24T16:00:13.603+01:00This topic fascinates me. I have my horse shod, a...This topic fascinates me. I have my horse shod, admittedly mostly because I always have! It is a big step changing this with the possibility of having a footsore horse and being unable to ride. I would be interested to know if you have had success with thoroughbreds? My horse is an ex-racehorse and when I had him he had bad feet. 7 years of Farrier's Formula and they are so much better but no shoes - not sure I am brave enough!Jo Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13942849459559505779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8415492346905673232.post-54325385792893438112015-04-24T10:28:41.127+01:002015-04-24T10:28:41.127+01:00Joe Camp (Soul of a horse) has written about this ...Joe Camp (Soul of a horse) has written about this too:<br />http://thesoulofahorse.com/blog/why-our-horses-are-barefoot/Hannekehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11294758362547119179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8415492346905673232.post-52419214447854829532015-04-22T08:51:59.170+01:002015-04-22T08:51:59.170+01:00We were on a fun ride on Dartmooor at the weekend ...We were on a fun ride on Dartmooor at the weekend and I noticed a definite rise in the number of barefoot horse and ponies out there which I was pleased to see. However I did talk to a woman there who had two barefoot ponies and she told me rather abruptly that I MUST change to a barefoot trimmer and not use my farrier as the pasture trim ALL farriers do are no good for bare feet. I didn't even bother to explain that my pony is insulin resistant so his diet is even more critical than with most horses. I'm quite happy with how my farrier does my horses feet as they always walk away sound after his trims which is what its all about in the end. So although I do believe barefoot is spreading there is still a way to go before people understand it is 90% diet and management rather than a magical 'barefoot' trim. Its also not a great way to encourage barefoot - ie lecturing someone before you've even qualified how much knowledge they already have!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15428979424861408520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8415492346905673232.post-89179806706962906392015-04-21T22:44:02.878+01:002015-04-21T22:44:02.878+01:00I hate shoes have 5 horses 4 barefoot and none loo...I hate shoes have 5 horses 4 barefoot and none look totally comfortable:( <br />One now has shoes so I can ride him I struggled for 2 years I kept his diet as advised, they had ad lib hay not much grass just older meadows that wasn't rich, <br />My problem as I have a concrete yard and 24/7 access to stables with open doors, his feet wore down to quick, he wore boots for riding out in, but he always looked sore, <br />So how can you ride out and keep the sole from touching the floor as feet have worn down too quick.<br />I am so disappointed he has shoes on, but he is sound now and looks comfortable <br />We have Tarmac and horrid gritty forest tracks here, very little grass to ride on.Lilyluihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02396912065977081103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8415492346905673232.post-3965939026467439082015-04-21T17:15:01.564+01:002015-04-21T17:15:01.564+01:00Very well summarized and argumented! Here one - un...Very well summarized and argumented! Here one - until now silent - reader of yours from Finland which still don't have balls to share it among ppl here (I guess still more than 90% are shod, it's getting better but slowly...). Last year, one horse magazine even published an article where one farrier explained that keeping a working horse barefoot here (rough rocky roads) is on verge of animal abuse.<br />The problem here is, except of traditional believes like "a working horse can't survive without shoes" & "the hooves will wear away", lacking knowledge how to do it right and pain-free. Me and my first horse were stumbling, unsure what's wrong, too. I guess now she was sensitive on rocks/hard ground because she's sugar sensitive and was on fulltime pasture that summer. But I wish I knew then! I didn't understand how important diet is. I had previous experience with barefoot horses but for some reasons they didn't have any of the problems I came across with my mare. They were without any issues most of the time and no special attention to their diet so I was so stressed at times not knowing what's exactly wrong with my mare and what to do about it (there wasn't only one problem and one source of problems is arthrosis (not inside of hooves but higher)). Sure, the Internet is neverending source of information but it's hard to know what to believe etc.<br /><br />I'd like to ask - a good book about horse diet? I bought your book but I've found it too brief in that matter but I don't know any good book - could you recommend something (English is okay)? Here I borrowed one very popular and highly appreciated and haven't really read it yet but I couldn't agree on some things I came across there... F.e. they assume you shoe your horse - so you don't notice possible grass sensitivity; other thing - they consider normal to feed grains even to horses in light work (only not-working horses can manage on hay diet without any other source of energy) and I got an impression that in their opinion horses needs tons of sugar. Of course they keep quality hay as a cornerstone of diet but on a top of that they MUST get something more, and sugary things are preferred in general (of course they mention there needs to be a balance between energies and the exception of laminitic horses)...<br />Maybe I'm wrong and judge the book too harshly but it definitely doesn't suit my purpose. Well, also my horses do get not only hay but in very limited quantities and low in sugar (it's beet pulp, to be exact, and it's a way less than the lowest limit stated per day on the package, and they still have enough energy, I would say even too much! :D).<br />But I'd need to know more about diet suitable for barefoot horses which is low in sugar, more exact info about minerals and vitamins and their role and sources... Thank you!Babsihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17271039984679542615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8415492346905673232.post-52668011742329390022015-04-21T16:30:36.775+01:002015-04-21T16:30:36.775+01:00Any size horse? Please advise on length of time t...Any size horse? Please advise on length of time to be comfortable from transition of shoes to barefoot... Also...a horse with navicular.... Can they be better off barefoot... Thanks Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07781436701210863234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8415492346905673232.post-84915206206166464342015-04-21T15:10:43.190+01:002015-04-21T15:10:43.190+01:00Bruce, I am with you 150% on this - owners are th...Bruce, I am with you 150% on this - owners are the only people who will make a long term, significant difference. <br /><br />Sara, thanks for your comments and so sorry you've had such negative feedback with your mare. I can only hope that you and other riders can educate those who run your rides. Nic Barkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06885459438592023135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8415492346905673232.post-45235690838563399082015-04-21T14:25:54.013+01:002015-04-21T14:25:54.013+01:00Long time silent reader from the USA here. I do en...Long time silent reader from the USA here. I do endurance over here and my mare is barefoot with excellent feet and does very well over all types of terrain. I get a *ton* of sideways glances, downright nasty comments, and questions over my choice to leave my mare bare. In fact I had one person accuse me of abuse due to my insistence of leaving her bare. Sigh. It is so inbred into the industry that horses need metal shoes. I really hope it changes soon as many ride managers over here are now mandating hoof protection to enter the ride. Sarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03346020257901575574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8415492346905673232.post-48187458252173500312015-04-21T13:19:21.145+01:002015-04-21T13:19:21.145+01:00Well written post Nic. In the end of the day there...Well written post Nic. In the end of the day there is a whole industry out there that will ignore the welfare and health arguments to protect itself until it's dying breath and horses will continue to have this medieval treatment for another generation at least. It's up to owners to question everything done to their horses and they have to really take responsibility - in both trimming and shoeing - and not abdicate critical thinking and accountability to the farrier or trimmer or the vet for that matter.BruceAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11813945785653884501noreply@blogger.com