27/06/2024
Thoroughbreds Don't Have To Have Bad Feet π£
I am so passionate about sharing positive hoof stories and showing what is possible with thoroughbred rehabilitation. It has been a long term goal of mine to get a thoroughbred out doing endurance, as close to barefoot as possible.
Recently my 13yo OTTB completed his first 40km Endurance ride at Biggenden. The ride consisted of a variety of terrain, most of which we tackled at a trot and canter. Danny completed the first 22kms completely barefoot. At around this point the track got quite rocky so I put front boots only on him, leaving his back hooves barefoot. We wasted a lot of time going back to fetch boots that had fallen off (some lessons for me there for next time!), and by the third time I decided to keep them off and so the last couple of kms barefoot again. This means in total he did about 25kms totally barefoot, and his back feet did all 40kms barefoot! π
Since moving north to Bundaberg about 12 months ago there have definitely been some challenges with the wet and green paddocks, and his feet have lost some quality and are still far from perfect. Nonetheless, he is very functional and I am super proud of what he has achieved.
I'd also like to note Danny very much has 'typical' thoroughbred feet. He isn't some fluke of nature who by chance has good feet for a thoroughbred. He gets managed for good hoof health. He lives on a grain free diet with mineral supplementation, he has been scoped and treated for ulcers and gets plenty of movement - far more important than anything I can do trimming wise. I will include a link to a 'before' video of Danny for anyone who is interested in the first comment. You will be able to see a very sore horse with compromised feet, he was sore even walking on sand! π
I hope he serves as some inspiration for the OTT owners out there. Hoof rehabilitation is slow and takes dedication, but the results are worth it I promise π
πΈ Photo credit to Sarah Sullivan Photography and Jane Sheppard