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Author
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Topic: First Shoes (Read 2594 times)
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Lara, Gryphon Farm
ata
Gold Medallist
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Posts: 291
Trakehner Cowgirl
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Hi everyone. I have a 22-month-old whose feet are somewhat sensitive. I'm putting her on Farrier's Formula to help supplement the architecture, but am wondering about first set of shoes. Can I please get some feedback from breeders on when to first shoe? Pros and cons? This horse has a well-shaped foot, round and tall, but wall seems a little thin, and soles sensitive in gravel or the occasional small rock. I've tried different trim styles, none seem to aleviate the sensitivity. I'd greatly appreciate any input here... Thanks, L
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fuzzy
Guest
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I don't think you need to shoe your horse yet. At her age, it's not worth the expense. Give the supplements a chance (even though I strongly suspect most hoof supplements are 'snake oil'). To be honest, genentics are much more influential in hoof quality unless there have been real deficiencies. Keep her on the best footing you can, but if you sometimes have to have her on footing that makes her ouchy, just use easyboots.
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Fay
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Posts: 10
I love Trakehners!
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I would agree to hold off on shoeing as long as possible.
I did have a good experience with glue-on shoes for a 10 month old. Due to "mult" issues he had to be trimmed every 3 wks, eventually he got sore, so we put on glue-ons, we were able to re-shape and re-apply as needed. Worked great for me. I only used them for about 4 months, no ill effects
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Joy
ata
Old Hand
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Posts: 1,270
I love Trakehners!
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Genetics plays a large part in bad feet, but faulty nutrition is a huge reason. I've used the Dynamite program for several years now and none of my horses ever need shoes, even when on rocky or hard ground or when in training. To use a supplement specifically for bad feet is like putting a band-aid on a huge wound--too little, too late. Instead, go for excellent nutrition all around and the feet will also be in great shape.
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FlyingHeartsFarm
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Posts: 5
I love Trakehners!
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Ok, this is an old topic but I don't get the chance to read the board much 
If you are going to shoe your horse, wait off until at LEAST 3, if not 4 - if you shoe a young horse because it has hoof problems now, it will likely have hoof problems later as well. You should at least wait until the hoof is not growing in size.
The other thing is that sometimes a hoof chips away (as long as it's in small amounts and not giant chunks haha) where it needs to be trimmed. One last point - a horse's hoof will adjust to the ground it's on, so if your horse is a bit ouchy on gravel, walking it on gravel more often will actually help.
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Lara, Gryphon Farm
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Gold Medallist
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Posts: 291
Trakehner Cowgirl
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Thanks for the input. Due to the age of this post, I can report on the results of treatment chosen. The horse will be four years in February and just had her first set of shoes put on six months ago (front only). The treatment I tried first was supplementation. I researched biotin, etc levels in all of the available products. I found Biotin Plus, by Paragon, to be the highest levels per dose (50mg) for the best price. Within one month I could see the "growout" line, and within four months the chipping and sensitivity was completely gone. At three years I stopped using the supplement, within six months the feet were back to the original condition. Put shoes on front and began the supplement again. Feet four months later (now) look great again.
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