So Rubic has been barefoot in front for nearly a year now (barefoot behind for nearly 2 I think!). Generally they are looking quite good. I've gone back to my farrier for trimming. Now we are starting to walk out on stony tracks she is coping well, she has the odd off step when she stands on a particularly jaggy stone but she was like that even when shod sometimes. We do have some small chips after out couple of walks out but nothing I am worried about as I think it is just excess hoof wall being "self trimmed" a bit while walking.
I think her frogs are looking a bit poor at the moment though and could do with beefing up. The frogs are better on her hinds but her fronts are narrower and appear to be shedding so have lots of nooks and crannies for nasty stuff to get in at. She isn't thrushy but I worry that could develop. I do hope her frogs will bulk up a bit though, I have heard the walking will stimulate them more.
She is on a low sugar diet and is muzzled so I'm unsure what else I can do to her diet to improve them. People have suggested trying to get extra minerals in her (copper etc) but she just stopped eating all that (forage plus) and I'm not sure I could persuade her to eat it again! A friend is bringing stuff over on Wednesday to see if I can try to get a little extra in her.
I've been spraying cider vinegar on them every few days and am considering adding neem oil and tea-tree oil to the mix as both are good for being antibacterial, antifungal etc.
Is there anything else anyone would suggest?
I think her frogs are looking a bit poor at the moment though and could do with beefing up. The frogs are better on her hinds but her fronts are narrower and appear to be shedding so have lots of nooks and crannies for nasty stuff to get in at. She isn't thrushy but I worry that could develop. I do hope her frogs will bulk up a bit though, I have heard the walking will stimulate them more.
She is on a low sugar diet and is muzzled so I'm unsure what else I can do to her diet to improve them. People have suggested trying to get extra minerals in her (copper etc) but she just stopped eating all that (forage plus) and I'm not sure I could persuade her to eat it again! A friend is bringing stuff over on Wednesday to see if I can try to get a little extra in her.
I've been spraying cider vinegar on them every few days and am considering adding neem oil and tea-tree oil to the mix as both are good for being antibacterial, antifungal etc.
Is there anything else anyone would suggest?