Toughening sensitive feet

[PNYGRL]

I had someone tell me recently they put river rock around all their water troughs so the horses would have to walk on it and toughen up their feet. He said after about a year he never had to put shoes on any of his horses again even when traveling to the mountains to ride. Anyone ever hear of this before? Anyone have any other ideas for toughening hooves on a sensitive horse?

[jodiTowne]

This is a very common practice for natural hoof care. Pete Rameys website is good. Their are several books out, including one by Jamie Jackson on how to creat a better environment for your horse.
chronicleforums.com has good info. You just need to do a search.

[CarolU]

There is a paint on product called DuraSole that I've used to help tender horses with rocks.

There is also a process called "Pasture Paradise" where you divide your pasture in lanes, like a maze, with water, salt, and feed in different areas, so the horses have to move around. In one lane you have mud, another sand, another gravel, another sharp shale...etc. The idea is to create a more natural environment for the horse's feet and give the horse some exercise, so they aren't just standing in the shade being fed.

I would suggest that if you are going to go barefoot, that you study Pete Remey, Jamie Jackson, or KC LaPierre and learn about foot/hoof anatomy, function, and how to trim properly. Each is a little different, but the main thing is to learn what a healthy foot looks like. Many people assume (wrongly) that going barefoot just means not shoeing the horse. Many other people take hasps and nippers out and just butcher their horse's feet. And some hire "barefoot trimmers" and trust their horse to them, only to have them lamed. Trimming correctly requires skill, which takes both education and practice. Every horsemen should study feet JUST to know if what your farrier is doing is correct or not.

Good luck. I know lots of barefoot NUTZ.....

[stella]

The old timers' old timers had them mix Venice of Turpentine (NOT regular turp)with Pine Tar to paint on the bottoms. Its good for drawing out any soreness, too. (and both products come from pine trees, nothing artificial!)

[Pasolady]

Ya got that right Stella! All my farriers have recommended that same thing, and over the years I have used it, especially after trimming and or shoeing! It also really helps with stone bruises, they just seem to disappear. It draws out soreness like nothing else.

For the 1st time in years I have put shoes on a horse, she came back home with shoes and promptly lost one in the mud. Just had her reset and will be picking up some venice of turpintine and pine tar after church tomorrow.

[Pasolady]

I had someone tell me recently they put river rock around all their water troughs so the horses would have to walk on it and toughen up their feet. He said after about a year he never had to put shoes on any of his horses again even when traveling to the mountains to ride. Anyone ever hear of this before? Anyone have any other ideas for toughening hooves on a sensitive horse?

My farrier recommended crush n run round the gates as well, it not only helps the horses feet, but keeps both areas clean and eliminates excessive mud.

[pnalley]

The only thing about the crusher run is that it is sharp rocks. River rocks are smooth rounded rocks.

I'd use Pine Tar & Venuce Terpentine.

[Terri]

I use dura sole after every trim. It is a great product.

[stella]

I agree, I wouldnt chance the crush 'n'run, because it is sharp- but any kind of rock like that you use, even river rock would be better to use very wellpacked, so its firm and tightly packed, not loose......because loose isnt just a matter of jabbing the horse in the sole with rough stuff, but horse's one hoof is unlike our far more flexible toes and feet...if its unstable/very uneven, then its very tough on a horse's joints above, trying to maintain balance.

To me, the problem with putting stuff like this around water troughs is....well, initially-and for some time til/if the hoof toughens enough, its going to be rather painful for the horse to get water, which might discourage them going as often as they'd like....do you really want to discourage your horse from drinking as much water as he optimally needs? Risk colic? Reduce weight gain/growth(horses gaining or growing tend to drink more)

What I have on parts of my driveway(areas that was more)is stonedust, which also can be used as a stall base....wetted and packed its a pretty hard surface, but not completely-very fine, so has just enough give not to be percussive to the joints, and not slippery(another problem with riverrocks, esp wet). I do gait horses on it barefoot for short periods, I guess its not painful, as they seem to love to gait on it...(just in case you have nothing but soft muck, which isn't good to ride too much on)
...but I think the ole Pine Tar/Venice Turpentine mixture is the easiest/surest way to go. BTW, a few years ago, I think it was Equus or similar thing published a study on hoof moisture product/ formulas........#1 for keeping hoof moisture in was still good ole plain, less expensive Pine Tar! (behind that, those that had %of pine tar)
Stella

[pnalley]

We have stone or rockdust in the paddocks attached to the stalls (over geotextile). It is time to redo it, but I do remeber at least one horse had trouble with it (teeny tiny rocks) going in at the toe