Barefoot Journey - Week 1

Monday, day 0 (1/12/26): 

Pulled shoes, 3 weeks post last shoeing; commented that he has good feet, but it will look worse before it gets better due to chipping up around nail holes. He had more toe to take off behind than up front. Not a lot of foot growth all around though. She watched him walk after the trim and then took a tiny bit more off the medial side of the left front because of the way he was landing. 

Hind

Front

She commented his old shoes had lots of wear on them. He does do a lot of work. Made me think that hoof boots probably won't just be transition wear, but will be all the time for the lime rock/pavement we hack on. 

Measured for scootboots via the app. Less than 24 hours later, I had sizing info sent to me - he is in fact the same size as Ben up front, size 2 slim. I had suspected as much after pulling Ben's boot on him once last fall when he lost a shoe. He's a size 1 regular behind, those were ordered with a ship time of 6 days. Cost less than set of full shoes he was in; total with trim brings us to slightly over that cost, but these should last for year(s)? 

Applied hoof armor to the front feet. It was 38 degrees though and was coming out very thick and sticky. Maybe better to do when it is warmer, so didn't do hind feet.

Sorting hoof pics on a horse with three white feet is tricky, the hinds were wanting to be all mixed up, but I think I've got them straightened out. 

Left hind: 

Right hind: 

Right front: 

Left front: 

Tuesday, day 1 (1/13/26): 

Applied Jim Ricken's #1 formula. 30 minute ride in the arena with equibands. Hind end felt good. Front end took 3ish funky steps, felt like falling in a hole. 

Wednesday, day 2 (1/14/26): 

6.9 mile trail ride at Prices scrub, mostly walk, some trot stretches. Mostly soft footing, but probably a mile on lime rock, obviously only walked on that. He had Scoot boots on fronts, lost right front almost immediately. Realized it a mile or two later and found it and put it back on with pastern straps on. Kept on for the rest of the ride through mud too. We did trot for 5ish minutes on semi-packed sand. Jim Ricken's #1- before and after. 

Pushing hard for treats 

Thursday, day 3 (1/15/26): 

Went XC at Star Farm. We were supposed to be supervising and babysitting. But it was about 40 and windy, so he didn't feel like standing around. It was nice soft footing with the recent rains. We did gallop some. And jump some, about 10 starter-BN size jumps total. We didn't particularly have a half-halt. Doesn't mean I necessarily think the bit needs to be stepped up; it's been 3 months since we schooled XC and see above about the weather. Didn't think to check pulses this day.

Friday, day 4 (1/16/26): 

He had increased pulses in his hind feet this morning, crap. Not surprising with the trail ride and XC though; I should have postponed the trail ride until we had hind scoot boots. Mayyyyybe standing under himself when I got him out of the pasture. Looked okay while grooming though. Walked bareback in the ring focusing on softness and straightness. Did some walk poles too. No funky steps up front or behind.

Saturday, day 5 (1/17/26): 

Still with the pulses in the hind feet today, ugh. Very short ride because Kate came out to check his saddles. We changed the flocking in the jump saddle a bit up front. He actually took a few steps that felt front foot lame, not enough for me to tell which foot though. He'll get the next few days off. Last day of Jim Ricken's, I'll give him 48 hours and then do Hoof Armor on Monday or Tuesday. 

Looking oh so cute waiting for Kate. He loves her. She tells him how sweet and lovely he is and he eats it up like the total ham he is. 

Mayyyyybe mid paw because he was a bit bored. His forelock is looking especially charming lately though.