All Change Today!

[debris4spike]

Yes - DJ had a busy day - but didn't go anywhere!!

When I got him in from his field this morning it was to find he had left his 2 back shoes somewhere in the field!!  His sense of timing is great though, as the farrier was coming to see him this morning.  I did try persuading Ian to knock something off the bill as DJ had done some of his work - but no such luck!!

Anyway 4 new shoes later he was fed and it was time to go back to his field - but he was going to a different field.  Toni's step-mum had ridden him on Saturday and although he had been a good boy it meant that Toni had seen him without tack and realised he was still putting on weight - so he is off to a smaller field - and with Smudge for company!  So, less food ... and more exercise, as they can try and chase each other round while they work out who the boss is!!

Dread to think what mood he will be in when I see him on Thursday!

Comments

[unbridled-b.livejournal.com]

Have you ever considered letting DJ go barefoot? Both of my horses are, and their hooves have never been healthier. You just have to make sure you get a true barefoot trim, not a pasture trim (in other words, most farriers aren't qualified to do it; you have to look for a natural trimmer). What they do is gradually shape the hooves in a way that allows the frog and sole to come into contact with the ground. The sole (which farriers pare away when shoeing) thickens and the frog is able to expand and contract the way it's supposed to, acting as a sort of "shock absorber" when the horse is moving. Also, it allows for much more circulation in the lower legs. If you're concerned about him not being sound on hard surfaces without shoes, there are any number of "boots" you can buy. My favorite are the Easyboot Bares and the Boas. I actually like the Boas best, but Sugar's got stolen and I couldn't find another pair anywhere, so now they're both in Easyboots. They only wear them when we're on gravel, though. On any other surface, even tarmac, they're fine completely barefoot.

Not trying to preach to you, lol. But if he doesn't wear shoes, you don't have to worry about him losing them.

[debris4spike]

It isn't something that you see much in England - so I doubt I could get the trim done - as I have never heard of it .... I shall ask the farrier next time I see him though.

Although DJ came in bare-foot, that is the first time he had ever done it and his backs were very thin, so not to worry about. He does 90% road work and the rest are through woodland (stony) tracks - in other words we don't often get to canter as the surfaces are too ahrd, so I think it is better for him in shoes ... but there again, maybe that is just my English tradition speaking!!

Not trying to preach to you, lol ... No, don't worry, I didn't think that - it is always good to hear other points of views ... especially when the person actually knows what they are talking about!