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| Author |
Message |
    
Leilani
Member
Username: leilani
Post Number: 389
Registered: 4-2000
| | Posted on Monday, Nov 19, 2007 - 3:09 pm: |   |
Hi All,
My young mare has been barefoot for 15 months now and has been wearing EasyBoot Bares when we ride. Yesterday I had a heck of a time getting the boots on and realized that they are too small. My question is do the hooves change that much? Thank you. Leilani |
cindy O'DELL
Member
Username: zarr
Post Number: 887
Registered: 6-2000
| | Posted on Monday, Nov 19, 2007 - 5:41 pm: | |
They grow like weeds and also widen into what mother nature wanted all along. Like shoes for kids it may take a couple of pairs to get to right size  Cindy |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: dro
Post Number: 19593
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Tuesday, Nov 20, 2007 - 6:42 am: | |
Leilani,
While I too believe that going barefoot opens the hoof somewhat, particularly in the heels, there are many reasons you may be having trouble getting the boot on. Is it about trimming time? Have flares developed in the walls?
DrO |
Mike Cedar
New Member
Username: mcedar
Post Number: 4
Registered: 3-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, Nov 20, 2007 - 11:09 am: | |
Question: are you trimming the horses hooves? even though you elect not to shoe, a healthy horse should have normal growth and expansion of the hooves. you still need to groom the hooves regularly. A horses hoof will grow based on environment, feed ,health and so on.Just like a horse that is shoed regularly. I am assuming you only put the boots on when you go riding. As the hoof grows the wall will flair. without shoes there really isn't anything to prevent that. It requires regular trimming to keep the hoof in healthy shape.The only horses I have seen that keep a natural shape to them are the wild horses I see out in the west deserts where I live.(Utah)thier hooves are as hard as rocks. |
Leilani
Member
Username: leilani
Post Number: 390
Registered: 4-2000
| | Posted on Tuesday, Nov 20, 2007 - 12:22 pm: | |
Dr O,
She is scheduled for a trim on Dec 14. 5 weeks, 2 days from the last trim. No flares. I did measure her feet last night and they have gone from a size #0 to a #1 according to the EasyBoot sizing guide. |
