lonely va barrelxr - 2019-12-31 12:17 PM

I couldn't fix Zan's club foot WITH shoes. I'd say he gained .10 at first without, then dropped .10 to .25 after his first 10 or so runs barefoot. His best year ever was barefoot.

I'm headed to a top clinic in January with Zan to check out some ongoing issues. One vet had me put eggbars on his rears for suspensory support and then injected his hocks, but he is fighting so hard with the farrier that I think there is more hurting him than hocks. Going to check it all out and get a second opinion on those eggbars. 

I did not get to make a competition run with the eggbars on - my FIL passed away on Thanksgiving a day before we were to run at the supershow in NC. He practiced great on the Wednesday before TDay, but practice isn't competition.

I would probably get xrays first, and then after every 2-3 trims if you pull the shoes. Horses generally adjust to barefoot (or don't) fairly quickly, imo and experience. Most changes will happen in the first 6 months for good or not good. 

My DTF mare healed her contracted heels and the rolled sidewall in 6 months, but her sole never started toughening up so I put shoes back on after 8 months of barefoot. She would NOT run a pattern barefoot. Put the shoes back on and she placed in the 2D her first out. 

If your farrier will work with your vet that is best case scenario. I love me a farrier that will call my vet and discuss my horses needs in detail!