I think i have mentioned in the past that Kika is a Princess at pawing, naw she's prob closer to a Duchess or a Queen!
Part of our success in keeping her barefoot, I think, is the use of what I call her Cinderella Slipper while she is in the stable overnight.
For the first time this year I am using one of my old socks to stop the boot from rubbing her heel as Princess still insists on pawing with the boot at feeding & hay time.
This pawing led in the past to a slightly mis-shaped right front hoof (which is of course a softer white hoof *eyeroll*). In fact her pawing also led to our first failed attempt at keeping her barefoot which only lasted 11 months before I had to put front shoes back on her as she had managed to make her front foot so small she wound up putting too much pressure on her tendon.
Her feet are healthy enough to be shoeless - however her mind leaves a bit to be desired. She needs to be protected from herself!
When I first met their current barefoot trimmer i told her of our first failed attempt and the pawing. She said we'd try and see how things go. 15 months later Kika has the healthiest front right foot she has had in years. The use of her Cinderella boot for the last few months of winter last year and 6 months summer turnout (aka no stabling at all) has allowed the foot some pawing free-time to regrow properly. The trimmer commented on her last visit that it was the first time in the 13 months she's been coming that the feet were practically the same. Here's hoping the use of her Cinderella boot every evening means we can keep this healthy hoof shape and remain barefoot ☺
The tile of this post has been amended to reflect my inability to stfu *blush*
Hi Aoife, I'm a new reader. Especially interested in this post, my horse is both barefoot and also a habitual pawer. His pawing hasn't given me any problems thus far but if I have to boot him in the future I will know to use the sock also. Great trick!!
ReplyDeleteAlways glad for a new reader, welcome aboard the madhouse express ☺
DeleteFingers crossed he doesn't do himself as much damage as my little Miss Persistent did.
clever! whatever works, right?
ReplyDeleteIndeed, whatever I can do to try to stay in step wih her as I'll never be a step ahead. Only ever doing damage control & clean up lolz
Delete"Protected from herself" yes. So.much.yes.
ReplyDeleteI try my best
DeleteGreat idea with the boot, that is some rather committed pawing to change her whole hoof shape!
ReplyDeleteShe's nothing if not determined to make herself hear and her presence known
Deleteheard*
DeleteThe sock was a great idea! I also love that you put cute ones on instead of boring ones. (:
ReplyDeleteHahaha they were what was just about to fall apart on my feet, so I figured why throw them out when they can be recycled and/or put to good use
DeleteBut she is a pretty princess!
ReplyDeleteShe sure thinks so ;-)
DeleteMan, everyone is singing the praises of hoof boots. I really might need to get a pair....
ReplyDeleteThey work for Miss Kika. Well I say they...i have one. Which I inherited from an ex - yard friend after her horse lost the other on turnout ;-)
DeleteK only wears hers in the stable, so unless it goes out during stable cleaning some morning I'm hoping to noose track of it any time soon
That's smart to use a boot!!! I'm so happy it is working and that she can be barefoot now without causing herself harm. Yay!
ReplyDeleteNeeds protection from herself that one, she can be such a silly billy
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