148. Getting the right size hoof boot...

So, i finally got to try my hoof boots out on Spice and unfortunately think i'm definitely going to have to do a bit of exchanging...

The front hooves were easy to fit and both the renegades and the gloves fitted her fronts well. However, when it came to the back hooves i had problems... the Renegades completely slipped around so are definitely way to big and the gloves (even the smaller size) didn't fair much better either - although they were noticeably worse on the right hind hoof (which still has a chunk of heel missing thanks to the abscess crack) which could definitely be a contributing factor.

Whilst i would consider trying the Renegades in a smaller size the thought of having to send them back to america to then wait another two weeks for them to send out the correct size is not something i really want to do.

And functionality wise i have to say i think i prefer the Gloves for two reasons... one, for ease of use... they're incredibly easy to put on and two for the fact that they do not seem to cause any interference in Spices gait. Unlike the Renegades which i found did due to being far thicker at the toe and far bulkier at the heel.

That said it may be because i have the wrong size and that if i had gone smaller they wouldn't make any contact?!

I would say that more thought has gone into the design of the Renegades and that aesthetically speaking i think they look better but the gloves although 'highly simple' in their design just seem to 'hug' the hoof that bit better but once again this may well be a sizing issue rather than a technical issue.

In any case, before i get a perfect fit i think i definitely need to wait for Spices hoof to grow out so that the full structure of the hoof is reformed. Otherwise it's a bit like trying to fit shoes onto a child with a toe missing. :(

130. Assessing Lameness...

Tomorrow i have a Chiropractor coming to see Spice just to check her over as she is still lame in trot (although thankfully not to the same scale she was) and she also hasn't had her back checked since last October so i thought it would be a good idea. I am still convinced that it is her hoof which is causing the lameness although my farrier wasn't so it will be interesting to see if we get any closer to finding out what is. In a way i hope it is her hoof as i know it will just be a matter of time until the hoof grows out and that hopefully any lameness will then subside.

Each day that goes by, i see a slight improvement in her movement and for at least the past two days she has been far more lively and alert indicating i think that she is on the mend.

I am due to stop her danilon (painkiller) in a couple of days time so i only hope that her high spirits remain and are not simply due to the painkiller.

I am so eager to start doing things with her again. I can't help but feel we have taken a few steps backwards in view of the fact that we haven't done anything for so long so i imagine i will have to start gently and go over some old stuff with her.

The first thing i will definitely do is make sure i have hoof boots which fit her. So far, i have purchased Easy boot gloves for her hind hooves and will hopefully be getting some Renegades for her front hooves. This way at least i can start going hacking with her again which is something i am desperate to do.

However, before i start hacking her out again i will have to get her fit again - as although she hasn't put on any weight (in fact she's lost it if anything) she has lost muscle tone - especially around her top line so hopefully i will get to use our new passoa soon.

I am currently feeding her Speedi Beet and Happy hoof which seems to be agreeing with her but i would like her to gain some weight so might look for a feed slightly more calorific but still low in sugar if that exists!

121. Lame to Sound...

Yey! Spice is no longer lame! It seems that the crack caused by her re-occurring abscess was definitely the cause of her lameness as now she is completely sound again and her hoof is looking so much better. I'm so happy, i can't wait to start doing stuff with her again - it's crazy how much i miss spending time with her.

I've also just spent £300's on some hoof boots which i am hoping will give me peace of mind when out hacking as there's no way i want to risk Spice getting another abscess - at least not until i am sure the soles of her hooves have really thickened up. So, fingers crossed the boots fit her as i've heard that getting the fit right is essential for success.

I purchased easyboot gloves by easy care from http://www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk who i found really helpful and professional.

Hopefully they will arrive Saturday and in the meantime i should be able to start lunging her and at least riding in the arena. :)

I also came across another style of hoof boots yesterday via my facebook group called 'pony sandals' which can be purchased from: www.journeyman-leather.co.uk http://www.journeyman-leather.co.uk/ponysandals.html They look interesting and comfortable but my only concern was how durable they would be as being made just out of leather i would expect them to wear down pretty quickly. I did however have the opportunity to speak to the lady behind the creation and she said they can last from 4 to 12 weeks depending on terrain and horse so i'd definetly be interested in trying them out. Although i might need to save the pennies...! If anyone thinks barefoot horses are cheaper to maintain...think again...because they're not! They require regular trims, special attention to diet and quite often some form of hoof protection whether it be hoof boots, vettec, or pony sandals...all of which costs money! But hopefully, it will all be worth it. :)

118. Barefoot Trimming

Today Spices crack (which was only just dangling on yesterday) finally came off just in time for the trimmer to give it a trim so i am pleased to say they are looking a lot prettier. :) Now that the crack has grown out i expect and hope that Spice's lameness on that hoof will subside as otherwise it would indicate that there is another problem besides the crack which was causing her to be lame. :( However, having lost half of her heel and a chunk of her wall it is hardly surprising that she is tender on it. I would hope that by the end of the month she would be sound again (providing the hairline crack above, where the second abscess burst) does not turn into anything larger. Fingers crossed it doesn't!

I will be so glad when i can finally ride Spice out again. From my experience so far I would strongly suggest to anyone considering going barefoot to wait at least 3 months before riding out on roads and to only do this when they are sure the sole has grown thick enough to provide sufficient protection against punctures. I can't help but think that if it weren't for riding out barefoot so soon after Spice had her shoes removed none of the above would have happened. If i could go back in time i'd definitely have used hoof boots but...you live and you learn.

I found a brilliant website the other day which sells lots of natural based products specifically for barefoot hooves... http://www.barefootbasics.co.uk/products.htm

117. Patience...

I haven't had much to report lately as due to Spices hoof i haven't been able to do much with her. However, the good news is the crack has almost grown out to the point where it is only just hanging on so i am hoping that tomorrow Sarah (our trimmer) will be able to just file it off and give it a good tidy up. Fortunately, the sole is looking surprisingly healthy in comparison to a few weeks ago with some good thickness. So it will just be the wall which has come off with the crack which will need time to build up. Hopefully, once Sarah has been Spice will be more comfortable and as of next week i can start long reining and lunging her again. If i do this for one month she should then be fit enough to ride again.

I have decided to buy some hoof boots for her for when i ride out on the roads so that at least for the summer she has added protection as although her soles have really built up it has still only been 5 months since she was last shod so theoretically she is still in her transition phase.

The hoof boots i have chosen to buy are the easy-care glove boots, i like the fact that they look quite flexible and that they are also rated as one of the easiest hoof boots on the market to put on.

http://www.easycareinc.com/our_boots/easyboot_glove/Easyboot_Glove.aspx