To shoe or not to shoe?

[blueali]

Here's the synopsis.

TB mare polo pony, pigeon-toed, feet inclined not to be a pair (when she came into my care for the second time her shoes were an inch different in width). Never had great horn although my farrier had made large improvements over last couple of years. Problem was when she was turned out for the winter she wouldn't keep shoes on and 6 months on soft ground was not helpful.

Had shoes off in July due to injury, just brought her back in and got on her for first time today. The plan is to try to bring her back into work, ideally to play the odd chukka (not for her!), and to put her in foal in the spring. When I led her out yesterday she was slow on tarmac and slower on stones, but for a barefoot horse her feet look pretty good to me considering they have just had a little trim every couple on months.

So here's the photos - not great due to rain and horse concerned as Blue wandered off!

[smudge]

I wouldn't shoe her if I could help it. A good trim should help with the pidgeon toed-ness as she goes on

[kayron]

a good trimmer can make her much straighter - they are unbalanced at the heel, with lots of bad flare. Will take probably four trimmings to get the feet so they grow in a more stable fashion - if the trimmer is very experienced.

definitely wouldnt shoe until the feet are in better shape

[jen1]

i wouldnt shoes her either, given her conforamtion is say the shoes could make things worse, they look very nice feet at the mo, id maybe talk to a good ancp trimmer, , when the slight flaring is gone they will be wonderful feet, good luck, jen x