`Shove The Shoe`
This section of my site is for all those horses that no longer have to endure nails knocked into their feet. So if your horse has gone barefoot, please send us your stories and pics to tell us how things are going and why your horse no longer wears metal shoes. If you use hoof boots, please tell us which ones you prefer and your experiences.
Maddies Story
22 October 2009:
We just wanted to update you on Maddies feet! Her shoes finally came off on 2nd October against the vets advice; in fact, against everybodys advice ! .... including 'Uncle Tom Cobbleigh and all '.......!!!! .. however Maddie was telling us it was time for them to come off - and so they did!
Maddie is now going from strength to strength .. her wounds from her recent canker and surgery have healed fabulously and her feet have begun to spread to the shape that mother nature intended them to be all along.
We have recently been amazingly fortunate to have Mark Johnson ( a wonderful UKNCHP trimmer and remedial farrier ) to take Maddie on as a new client. We have already begun Maddies' transitioning to barefoot by walking her out in hand in our local country park. She is due for trimming again on tyhe 24th November 09 and it will be interesting to see what progress she's made already.
She is already increasing her distance over smooth tarmac on each walk and we are gradually introducing different surfaces as we go. Her feet have begun to harden noticeably and the thrush/canker smell and horrible infected goo is gone. We have had just about every single product on the market into these feet over the past 18 months ..and nothing worked really well ... until the shoes actually came off and the blood began to circulate as it should do.
Here is a picture of Maddie with my daughter Hayley, taken last week, on one of our walks
Maddie is a real character and no matter where she goes she finds a fan club! Everyone loves her and she loves to stop and say hello to everyone we meet.( Last week she successfully mugged a group of ramblers for their mints! ) We've lost count of all the people who have taken her photo .. and once she's a little fitter she will be able to manage the walk again to our local Country Park Visitors Centre .. where of course there are lots of children .. and apples .. and ice creams!!!!
Maddie is certainly moving far better without metal on her feet ... in fact she's feeling so good she's bombing round her field like a foal! We'd hardly ever seen her canter in the field .. now shes running around squealing, bucking and playing like a mad thing !
Everybody told us this horse would never go barefoot ...... she was ' too big',' too heavy', 'wasn't suited to barefoot', didn't have good enough feet' ,'wouldn't be able to cope' ..... you name it we've heard it ...... well .. now we are thinking .... 'lets just wait and see' .... !!!!
We'll keep in touch and let you know how Maddie is doing! love from Dawn and Maddie xxx
Alfi`s Story
The life and times of alfi and ang..2009
Ang, 5ft 2, 40years, rode bareback in fields as a child on trotters,, had four riding lessons, rode on holidays, started helping out at a amateur private race yard, was fond of a few horses that were sold on, never really looked at alfi when he first arrived,, he had sweetich, no mane and a stump of a tail, he had bad skin and lumps and bumps all over, i then watched his mental stability go from try for the riders to scared to death, self preserve, like all of the horses there, end up with vices and i now know they are all human pressured problems..they are all caused anxieties, stress can do some horrible things..these owners never had any time, everything was a rush, everything then became a danger for the horses, to them rushing means fight or flight..
i dont class myself as experienced in anything, but me and alfi have over 2 years become a partnership by learning and trusting each other..ive taken inspiration from horsemanship and basically trying to do the right thing.. i am only gratefull that if it wasnt for them, i wouldnt own and have the joy of alfi, they have taught me to search my heart to find alfis..
Alfi, 15.2, bay, arabian gelding..
registered arab emirates, nahr, foaled apr 2001, exported to ireland may 2002.
From ireland to hampshire 2004, think? gelded oxon 2005, was trained for flat racing, ran once stretford 7th out of 9.
then sold on to ashton under lyne,lancs, apr 2006, ran amateur flat racing and won once at market rasen, sept 06.. then came 5th to 7th every other race, owners fed up and sold alfi onto me..
I bought alfi june 2007..i kept him stabled at this yard, no turnout and continued exercising/raced him once at wolverhampton, he ran well, but i decided racing wasnt for him and i wanted to settle him for happy hacking,,i moved of this yard after searching for another home for months, moved feb 2009, and alfi is now the horse i always, knew he was, chilled, happy alfi..
As far as his passport and history shows I`m his 7th owner and he`s now 8..
Within such a short time, so much travelling, so much was expected of him, alfi became unsettled, he was sold to me as a wimp, nervous, skitty wreck, wont dont anything for anyone, but me.. As i had spent some time with alfi before i became his owner, i had seen all his bad experiences, multiple inexperienced riders/handlers, other horses with there vices around him that made him anxious.. owners that bullied him, apparently he had a high head carriage, he used to get a crop between the ears in hampshire for lifting his head when racing, this led to being head shy to the extreme that putting a bridle on there was only me could do it, alfi, he smacked riders in the face with his head as he spun around at anything that worried him, ducked out at full speed at birds, was afraid of children, passing schools, passing cows in fields, motor bikes were his nightmare, any NOISES, lawn mowers, screaming children etc, he would become very annoyed and did the full on march, quick step, lash out again and again in temper, he backed up badly and wouldnt stand still, he had very little attention span, would lash out at traffic or any noises, about turn and spin at anything bigger than a car, if he could see a motor bike ahead or hear it and off he would bolt with the rider, he then had a road traffic accident with one of the riders, when he apparently, panicked at a lorry, dumped the rider and went full gallop along main roads with two other horses in suit with riders hanging on, until he landed on the floor at a roundabout..i believe alfi had a panic at the inexperienced rider, she was unseated, came off and alfi took off, i wasnt there and every rider alfi has had has come off him or had near misses, or didnt want to ride him again, fearfull of him,, so far i havent been unseated and dont get to the point of his concentration on me going that far that he must find his own way....we used to say alfi would make a good stunt horse, superb brakes and can spin on a sixpence,, he wasnt so much jumpy, more very sharp quick and they didnt see the signs..
He wouldnt stand to mount and no way if it was raining, as he knew bad weather usually meant a bad experience, he was always ridden in the middle as the owners always shouted, ALFI,, at anything, hows he know what that means? after aprox 8 months the owner said too me,, thats it you can ride him, he will only do for you, i started riding him upfront and behind, he settled for me, he was then used as a buffer for a youngster, they were backing, which he did do happily for me, but usual situation in racing is get the horse backed, bums on seats, so each horse then has that many riders they become confused, also confusing each other on the rides, so alfi he then became more anxious each time as each time the youngster was a handfull, spent her time dumping riders and off she would go, by this time alfi had just abouts had enough and me too....but he wasnt mine,, he had seen too many horses take off with there riders and dump them, there was always trouble..horses biting, lashing out at him, wazzing up behind him, jumping around frightened at traffic etc.. which inturn didnt help with his worries...
To top all the friction between these horses on rides, they were subjected to winding each other up other stable doors, no turnout, so horses were in turn, left with doors open to potter on the front, becoming bored and aggitated then annoying the stabled horse, i ended up using things to block alfis door, so he couldnt be tormented, he would lash out in his stable at the walls to get out and sort the mares out, none of them got along, but it was humans who made them like this..
What was enjoyable was alfi did always, love a good old gallop with me, he enjoyed the exercise gallops and going on the race tracks, he enjoyed racing, but not riders he didnt know or trust and i cant afford, money wise or health wise, or put in the time to be a jockey, he just hadnt been allowed to lead, they didnt trust him and therefore how could he be expected to win, he was always training the other horses to behave themselves, he was stuck in the middle, used to settle others or used to stop others taking off,, once i bought him i rode him upfront/behind were ever i fancied and galloped upfront for enjoyment and not too win, just for fun and for him to see and feel the courage and know i trusted him not to suddenly duck out or stop etc,,which he did with other riders and jockeys, as soon as he led he then lost confidence and started looking for spooks, then would start moving sideways or stop dead and the riders became a bullet,ha,,
Alfi then had what was his last race on a saturday with these owners, as he went onto the track and backed up, refusing to run, chucked himself around and came last, embarrassed the owners,ha,, i came home and burst into tears, my husband said buy him if this is what its doing to you, i had liked others they had sold on, but surpised myself how much i didnt want to never see alfi again and him go on to another race yard, there was a connection between us and i couldnt let it go.. the sunday, i bought him, by this time he had become very unsettled, but i managed to get him some turnout and went riding out riding alone, he was actually much better, no-one dared take alfi alone before, but i thought well, we dont have too worry about others, hes mine now and we have to make this work, i took him for lunging at a riding school with a qualified trainer and quiet hacks on our own, his main problems then was, he still initially backed up and always moved his bum over into the road, but didnt always spin around, he wouldnt cross water, even a puddle, the ex-owners used to force him, smack, yell, kick, then if he couldnt find a dangerous way around, he would then jump it or thrashed over it,, or if he saw a herd of cows in a field, he would not pass them, as other horses reared up and caused such a fuss at things, when they had to pass.. but after a month he road out in snow and rain, stood to mount and was happier one to one..even motor bikes he didnt give me any trouble, just wanted to please..
Well, then all was just settling down, he just disliked going back to the yard, he would have a little paddy outside the gates, back up and tense holding his head high, as long as i didnt ride with any other horses he was fine.. then i decided he was ready to try again with another horse which he liked , all was well and happy, when a english bull terrier spotted us on a bridle path, came running towards us and yes, attacked the mare, biting her leg, then ran under its belly and singled out alfi and me,, we were bull baited for 10mins or so fell down a ditch, dog jumped in and alfi out, then we set of canter down the hill with dog attached to his chest,, he leaped, jumped on it, trampled it, kicked it, lashed out again and again, the dog was injured but it wasnt stopping its attack...alfi, kicked it, we couldnt shake it, it kept coming,, was about 20mins, eventually alfi kicked it into a ditch and we got away,, the owners hit it with a tree branch to get hold off it,, luckily alfi didnt go blind gallop, we worked together and he kept surprisingly listening too me, considering what he could do and past experiences,, i managed to stay on, how i cant explain.. anyway that was it,, i was afraid, all my work may have gone backwards,, so it was time to move,, i cried for weeks, leaving alfi there i searched for months to find the right home, eventually, we moved in feb 09.. The day i moved alfi, he did not put a foot wrong, it was 1hour and halfs ride to his new stables alone, past all the places he had been so upset with over the last 2 years and from then on he has taken everything ive asked of him in his stride..
My friend used her shetland for company for alfi, until another friend moved onto the stables with me with her mare and all was well for them, they had pasture with bulls, freedom in and out of there stables and got along lovely..alfi went into the field with the bulls first with no problems what so ever,, amazed me,, didnt mind riding out with company, no antics, although he did prefer just me and him, then in july my friend decided she disliked the diy set up and wanted too move off onto a livery,, so it would have left alfi alone,, so i had to move again, luckily i managed to find a place just 5mins away and moved there with there pony, again, they got along lovely, but alfis stable was rather small, i was concerned over winter that theres not much chance of getting out and about, so i asked next door were she has three horses and a spare stable she used for storage,, yes, 3 weeks later we moved again,, but now, alfi has a big stable with a shelter, his own field and has taken all this moving in his stride,, alls been good, considering all this moving, making friends and losing friends, new surroundings etc, alfi has been a saint..
The morale of this story, is alfi wasnt happy with inexperienced riders/handlers/horses, he would not be told or bullied into doing anything, that just heightened everything and certainly lets you know when he dislikes something..
i believe, he was saying, your not doing it right, he was saying, you dont trust me, why should i trust you, he was saying, im lead horse, let me sort the horses out, he was saying get of my back you idiots, he was saying help theres nothing wrong with me, its your fears causing all of this anxiety.
Ive spent time leading alfi out on walks, in a parelli rope halter, he now crosses rivers, water, puddles, cows, bulls, he stands for children to stroke him, the local school all know him, passes buses, lorries,, theres a local skip depo, so rattling skips are a daily thing to pass, he now doesnt mind noises, doesnt care for motor bikes, birds flying out, dogs or anything running up behind him...
its taken me 2 years of building trust and confidence together, i was always told, never get off your horse and lead,, well getting off and showing alfi its safe and if i can do it, he follows, as long as he keeps his feet moving in the direction i ask of him, hes not won, as they told me, get off a horse and it wins,, no, i say, win win together, i now always have a lead rope, sometimes a parelli halter under my bridle, its good for the unexpected and good to get off and walk now and then.. gains respect both ways, mutual trust and good manners..
I believe all past training, no-one acheived ground control first and so had no brakes on his back..and why should he trust people who dont respect him and put his safety first..im now his leader and he now knows im fully in control of that earned position..high head carriage,,ha,, hes almost on the floor these days, dozes off even out and about..ha..people think hes lazy or something wrong,, no hes chilled and very content, i think alfi is, confident, galant, loyal and has courage, not the wimp they said he was..he will do anything for me, the only thing im still working on, is when a bus/lorry is coming fast towards us when im trotting or creeping up behind him,, he still likes to slow down or the vehicle to slow down or he does tense up,, but he did have a bad fall and the ex-owner always went onto the kirb or into a roadside at every passing bus/lorry/bike, that just taught him too be afraid of them, so he is passing them now so theres always more we can achieve..ive also found, its more the noise a vehicle makes when they squeeze passed trees/bushes thats what did spook him, not so much the vehicle itself..but now he may just have a blow and looks to me to calm him, rather than dash quick help...im now his eyes and ears, he expects me to warn any oncoming danger and i take pleasure in being his guide, although sometimes, i now let go of my reins and tell him your in charge, im having a rest.,im serious,,...
Also, i was actually advised to put alfi into a gag, kineton noseband or crank, well all the gag, get his head strapped down gadgets,,
so i opted for get rid of the flash that he had on for years,, popped the parelli rope halter on underneath my bridle, took noseband off, got alfi and myself used to using the parelli with reins, with the back up of normal bridle, fiddle yes, two sets of reins, but its worked, now i can just use the parelli and ride bitless and bareback..
Alfi used to be hot shod,, i had always liked the idea of barefoot, just cause it seems natural, as why? nail metal to their foot? would you put a nail through the end of your finger nail?, alfi used to always have to have road studs too, he wore his shoes so quickly, well jumping around i suppose he would, but then he spent most time slipping too,, he also had, none impairing abscesses, which broke the hoof wall and somehow healed themselves, well, something going on,, VETS and farrier terms, not mine,, they were`nt concerned,,and to top that, it couldnt be blamed on pasture,..so i thought, ditch the shoe, see what happens..
But, NOW, barefoot since feb 09, no signs of abscess, wears cavallo boots for hacking out, which took over 3 days at approx 20mins stabled and short walks to get used too them, he just kept lifting his front feet up, please take these off, as they must feel heavier,, but he picks his stride up much better riding in them than without and im not worried about him hurting his feet.. hes still tender if ridden more than an hour without his boots, but being barefoot has not impeded him in anyway, its now 9 months barefoot and i will never have metal on his hoof again.. i hack on all terrain, approx four times per week with boots and walk out inhand the rest without boots..he has turnout every day weather permitting..i would say its a responsibilty and an extra full time commitment going barefoot, but a valuable and worth while one, a descision that shouldnt be taken likely and is forever...
I`m sure theres lots I`ve not mentioned, but me and alfi were on the road to a greater partnership and he`s with me for the rest of his days...we ride for miles, he loves new places and ventures, he rides alone or in company,, all terrain, all weather..
All the horses at the race yard weaved,, some rather badly, hitting themselves against the walls in the process,, mostly from separation anxiety,, alfi, he picked up the anxieties and somtimes, weaved in the mornings before i got there,, then wouldnt weave again, or anytime i was with him, I`ve noticed now alfi, only ever has a little weave the first few days when I`ve moved onto a new place and he knows it gets my attention when he wants me, he knows i hate it and he knows its wrong, but its when he`s unsure of people around he doesnt know and if there`s no horse company around that he can see or smell close by, otherwise he`s not done any since moving, he does still now and then have a nibble at wood,, i personally feel its when hes not getting his own way, but it was something he did a lot of chewing wood at the race yard,, I`ve noticed he can still have a nibble when he`s bored on a miserable wet day, when he`s eaten his fill of hay and nothing much else to do..
Alfi also had all the antics of, wouldnt stand to rug up, did the run around the stable everytime and tacking up was the same, would nip at you when girthing up, would nip certain people over the door, would rub on you when bridled, would walk right into people and their space, NEVER did with me, I`ve watched him purposely check people to see if they will move first for him,ha,, everything was a battle to do anything with him, except me from the beginning, they used to shout me in to tack up and rug etc,, he still had his head high, didnt fight me, but until he trusted me to drop his head and i won`t bang his teeth with the bit, vet visits they had to wait for me, all this i wasnt his owner then, he wouldnt stand to mount, wait at roadsides, just stand when you want too, etc..it was always go go go.. all the horses did the jiggy jig jogs..one thing hes never been is nasty,, hes never bucked or reared up, never lashed out or taken a proper bite at people,, he was still gentle after all they had done to him,, the mares on the other hand, were certainly not,,they became very nasty, people went to hospital regular from kicks, charges and bites..
God bless my alfi and im sorry, i was ever a associated with them, there ways and place, but alfi, he`s with me now, away from all the bad past and alfi he knew my soul...i kept saying, dont worry, we will be happy,, we will find that happy place together..and we have..
I will post more on how I managed to over come vices and alfis human made problems..but mainly its been loyalty to him, spending time, just being together, building trust.. keeping calm and not worry or fluster, we see everything and every day as a new happy venture..
Ang and Alfi xxx
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