I feel really bad.

[hdonna]

barefoot trimmer came out yesterday and we took Peaches shoes off to try her barefoot. (shoes were a terrible fit) I did not think and feel really bad now as she seems really foot sore and is find it hard walking around on the hard frozen ground. what have i done

[specialsparkle3]

Taking shoes off a normally shod horse and not replacing them in this weather was not a good idea in my view. I would have a farrier re-shoe straight away, until the Spring if I were you.

[Amanda Seater]

- slightly bad timeing but - easy does it - have you got some boots you can put on her?
You will probably need some for transitioning anyway - they are easy to put pads in.
Give your trimmer a call.
To be honest though they are all stepping carefully on the frozen ground- so am I!

[marianne]

going barefoot is a carefully thought out decision and ISN'T to be rushed. I thought it was just a question of taking shoes off ... and failed miserably at my first attempt in 2004. So - if you really want to go barefoot, do your research first (feed, conditioning and trimming) - but stick shoes back on right now so your horse/pony isn't suffering in the meantime!

[mandal]

I'd give the trimmer a ring for a start and can Peaches come into a deep bedded area for the time being? I take it this 'soreness' wasn't predicted as you should have been given advice and pads/boots. It may just be a case as Amanda says of walking carefully...they seem to be able to feel more when shoes are removed.
If trimmer cannot help then reshoeing may be the best atm.

[horsey123]

it is normal for a horse to be sore

i would start rubbing the feet with sudo cream around the white line and the ail holes

i also i would get some hoof boots ad pads to help the transition

also soacking in broax will help stop infection and absesses

if you conot get hold of any boots for ay reason i would be duck taping pads to her feet

also what are you feeding her

please do some reading

[Trouble]

My boy has been barefoot for over 2 years and even he was struggling on the frozen ground this morning, and he doesn't ever really have any trouble with ground conditions...but the ground is VERY frozen and rutted at the moment!

[laura]

as others said perhaps timng not the best but I would not rush to put shoes back on just because we have a bit of icy weather ...... I too would get boots on ..... they are not attached 24/7 and can come back off when the ground softens. They will prob also come in very handy over the years for times when she does feel the transition , or if her hooves wear a bit if you do roadwork a lot once she is fully barefoot.

Even if it was not frozen she might have find it a little tender getting her shoes off.... I mean none of us humans could just take our shoes off and walk confidently outside could we ? I know their feet are a bit tougher than ours but the principle is the same. We also can wince, or even just walk carefully .......... but it does not mean we are in agony

Ours are all tough , been barefoot for years ..... and still walking carefully over the frozen ruts ..... self preservation

[cobalmighty]

mine are walking very carefully over this rutted ground at the moment too (one bare all his life, rock crunchingly sound over any flint or gravel - the other bare for four years and equally sound on all surfaces and terrain).

I think it has just as much to do with being cautious about turning a fetlock as it does about being sore. In shoes they can't really feel the ground, so don't necessarily notice just how unlevel it is. Once bare they become much more aware of their footing and take appropriate care. I have trained mine to stop and look down if I yell "Gently" they know something is not good about the ground then and they look for it They bring themselves in loose in the evenings and will tiptoe gently across the sheet ice if I shout the warning in time!

Get her some boots and help her out with the lumpy ground, but take it very steady over the ground as the boots will make her a bit 'clumpy' until she gets more used to them

[marianne]

... but if you're determined to carry on with barefoot, please make sure your horse gets 5 minutes a day walking on tarmac - tarmac's GREAT for kicking off the conditioning process without hurting horse's feet in the interim ..........

[Karon]

Definitely try boots, they are brilliant in these conditions. No need to hurry putting shoes back on, but help your horse as much as possible while the ground is frozen. If it helps, mine - who all have rock crunching feet in the winter - are being quite careful on this ground (not sore though) and I think they'll be glad when it's thawed, too!

[sundance]

I wouldn't rush to put shoes back on as by the time the farrier gets to you this cold spell will probably be over. Boots and pads, as suggested are great. It is also worth noting that the fructan levels will be high at the moment. My four are barefoot at present, although two will be shod soon for endurance, it is amazing to see how well they are coping. Even the foal gallops round the field over the frost, but this could be because I have light soil so there are no muddy ruts that have frozen.

[KoLaTo]

Even mine are struggling over the ruts and even the flat they aren't too keen on, ones never had shoes, he's a proper mountain goat at 9 yrs old and even he isn't venturing more than a shuffle across the field.

My baby is struggling terribly, only had shoes off 5 mths, so they are coming in for a few hours during the day, baby has one hot foot which has been on and off for 3 weeks so taking precautions just in case it's Lami althou he isn't lame on it at all now and has a normal pulse for him.

Lark just looks like a ballerina as she tippytoes across the field but then she is majorly light on her feet anyway, she seeks out the flat bits and opens the gate a bit wider to let herself thru as she still isn't convinced that the ruts aren't mud and she doesn't do mud or water - LOL

I'd try and get some boots for her to be honest.

[hdonna]

EP came out with some boots and she is a lot happier now.

[gordo]

I am quite surprised your ep didn't advice against removing them atm. Poor G who is a seasoned bfooter is feeling it let alone having newly naked feet!!