Remi gets shoes

It has been two and a half years since I got Remi and he has been mostly resting during that time. I have kept him as a barefoot horse to get some expansion on his feet. He has gone from a size 0 shoe to a size 1 so I feel he has gained a lot. He still continues to be a bit off in front so I took him and got some radiographs. He does have some mild inflammation on the bottom of his coffin bone. He is such a large horse on small feet and I do not see him gaining on his sole depth so I decided to put him in some natural balance shoes with fill in pads to mimic barefoot as much as possible. Even though I am disappointed he will at least temporarily not be a barefoot horse I am hoping some time in shoes will help heal his coffin bones and allow him to build up some sole to provide better protection.
The time Remi has spent as a barefoot horse has benefitted him immensely on his overall health. He has lost the heavy muscle spasms he had up over his shoulders and I think this is related to the gradual lowering of his heels. HIs back muscles are relaxed and his stride has increased by several inches. During the time he has been a barefoot horse I have tried many different boots and I hoof casts but there is always the tradeoff of rubbed places on the heels or moisture building up under the casts. Part of Remi’s challenge when I got him was severe chronic thrush in both front feet and that is completely gone. I am thinking that the extra moving he will do with the shoes will help him develop a stronger digital cushion. Right now he has very little despite my efforts to make him comfortable with a heel first landing as a barefoot horse.
I have ridden Remi twice since he has his shoes on and he seems to move equally well as he did with the boots. He is still a bit shy about putting his feet down on rocky ground and I am not sure if this is actual continued soreness or if he is just being careful. I have no regrets about the time I gave him off so I could see if he could make it being a barefoot horse and hope his time in shoes will be short and he can get back to being a barefoot horse with a nice thick sole and strong digital cushion. Madalyn

This entry was posted in Cerise & Remi and tagged , on by .

About Madalyn Ward, DVM

This blog provides information based on my unique take on horse health and well being. The articles are based on experience of treating and working with horses for over 40 years. In most cases the articles are focused on an holistic approach to health and management. When conventional medicine offers good research or therapy, I share this information as well. Madalyn Ward, DVM

Leave a Reply