06/22/2024
It’s a start. I removed this guy’s shoes and then took his toe back a bit. He has no heel, so I left that alone. He will get rough and ugly in the coming weeks as he breaks out around the nail holes. My prayer is that he will adjust, start to grow a heel, and stay comfortable enough to get through the transition. He lives on sandy loam, so that sure helps.
Transition to barefoot is sometimes easy and sometimes no picnic. Boots help. Staying on top of thrush helps. Understanding that your horse can’t do the work he usually does, immediately after removing shoes, helps.
At worst, we can always give their hooves some time to rebuild tissues and if they need shoes to cope with their work, then have them put back on.
And of course, at best, they develop a better foot and thrive bare after their transition time.
I’ll do my best with my part of the equation.
Left, just after removing shoes.
Right, after a little bit of trimming at the toe.
