my horse won't keep his shoes on...help
 

I have a trakenhner/TB cross who has thrown 4 front shoes in the last two weeks. he has bar shows on and always wears pull on bell boots. we don't know why he has bar shoes on, except that everyone who owned him before him did cuz he had them on when they got him, but after our last event i am going to put normal shoes on him. so, the last month and a half or so have been really wet, so we think his feet got really soft and the shoes just came off really easily. (he hadn't pulled a shoe in 2 years before then). i just put on on horseshoer's secret hoof supplement, but was wondering if anybody had any other ideas.

um...lets see u use bell boots. so i guess one other thing you can so is buy medicine boots that cover the entire hoof.. but im not sure if i woulld let him wear them all the time cuz it will keep moisture and heat in..hopes this helps

There are also booties that you can get. They don't have to be for all the time, but for when you're riding. They might help. You could also consider just going barefoot... IF the horse is suited for it.

Have you ever asked your farrier why he has bar shoes on? If you want to keep him in shoes, ask your farrier what's going on. If you have the option of a 2nd opinion, that would help you.

Personally, I don't think shoes are necessary in most cases -- why not consider barefoot and use boots for when you feel you need them? Of course, you'd have to have a barefoot trimmer in your area. Generally speaking your farrier won't be able to support you if you go that route.

Can you post pictures of his feet?

thanks!
he can't go barefoot because he would be lame in about 2 days
the farrier and vet and past owners don't know why he has bar shoes on
can't put pix of his feet up because my camera broke:(

Bell boots.

Ugh, I know how you feel my mare has soft hooves and she will go lame barefoot and she throws her shoes left and right!lol She allways comes back from the pasture with one missing.

So, why keep the bar shoes? At the very least, I would ask your farrier about a different style of shoe. Are you using steel or aluminum? Aluminum is easier to keep on from what I've seen and been told, but I'm not around the "shod bunch" very much, so take it with a grain of salt. Worth asking about though.

Maybe after this year's circuit is done you could pull her shoes and let her go barefoot in the pasture and use a *good* boot (old mac's for example) for when you are working? Depends on the pasture I guess though if her feet are so soft. I know this is being obstinant (sp.), but keep in mind that any horse will be touchy on newly barefoot hooves because they've never had the chance to develop caluses (sp.) -- think of running barefoot in the spring yourself -- ouchies the first week, but two more weeks and no trouble at all!

Regardless -- if you stay shod or not, a new way of looking at her feet is needed. If your farrier doesn't have new ideas, try for a 2nd opinion.

I find it odd that neither the farrier nor the vet knows why your horse has bar shoes on...I've always considered bar shoes as therapeutic...specifically for heel support and/or heel pain such as navicular. Bar shoes are a sure sign of lameness issues...

thanks for all the ideas!
i think i am going to take his bar shoes off at the end of the season and just put regular shoes on and see how it goes...