Rio's Feet

havingfun · Rio's Feet

Hello, been awhile since I posted. I asked for other's experiences with arthritic, pidgeon-toed old horses a year ago. I went for it and Rio been's barefoot a year. For 3 winters he was lame from the arthritis when it got cold and/or wet. Here that means 30's or 40's at night. This past winter we had a colder and wetter winter than normal and he was completely sound all winter. No bute, only monthly Adequan. He has been enjoying light riding on the trail with his boots on, banging on the gate to take him out when he sees us. I didn't have much luck trimming him myself but luckily found a good trimmer soon after we had his shoes pulled. His front feet are very funky and way above what I am capable of. I'm not a hardcore barefooter but it has worked out well for my two horses. They are fine riding barefoot where we board. It's funny to see a leg pop up when they see the boots come out of the shed before we even get next to them. They love the trail as much as my husband and I do!