a confession.....

Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 8:35 am

as you know we are tryin to keep Scout shoeless following his lameness at his last shoeing, Confused

he is doing champion in the field and walking back and forth,when he comes in, Richy went for a ride yesterday as my back's a bit crocked at the moment,he said he felt a bit "footy" so I have ordered him some boots,just fronts.........so here's the confession

I have clipped off his feather

I didn't want to risk the boots not fitting properly,and over this next year, as his feet harden his feathers will grow so he should be in his full glory by next year,awww bless him

he stood while I clipped him but as he walked back into the garden spooked at the hair on the ground

Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 9:34 am

Valerie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Shocked

do what's best for your little man - and as you said, it will all grow back beautifully!! well done with the shoeless - hope things go well!!! Very Happy

Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 9:45 am

you really have to watch out for that hair on the ground - it might come alive and eat you scott!!!!!!!!!

Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 9:47 am

scout not scott, der!

Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 9:50 am

didn't you know that's how shires were made - from feather clippings Laughing

Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 10:49 am

Funny your all talking about feathers. I went to the barn last night (haven't been there for almost a week as I have come down with a horrible flu) and groomed Mr. Ruben. I was brushing out his feathers and remembering all the nay sayers about Shires when I was going to buy him. Everyone told me that you have to be so careful about their feathers because they get infections, etc... in there. I have not seen a darn thing on Ruben. Is there something I need to do to prevent anything from happening?

Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 10:52 am

Same here malissa...

Senior Friend Joined: 19 Sep 2009 Posts: 160

Lets see some pictures of him in his new boots when they arrives. just tell him skinny jeans are in and flairs are so last season Laughing

Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 1:50 pm

Hahaha Valerie, you cracked me up Laughing

Good luck with his feet and let us know how the boots work out. I don't think I've heard of anyone using them on heavies for riding etc, but am interested to hear if they stay on and do the job!
BTW- you're not alone having to clip the feathers, but my problem is CPL(chronic prorgressive lymphedema) with Greggory.
Malissa, your guy is still quite young isn't he? Greggory never showed any signs of having sores and hasn't been lame in the 8 years I've had him, but now is having some kind of 'flare up' and I'm not taking any chances.
Reluctantly, I'm shaving off his feathers to make sure I get the meds to every 'iffy' area I can see. Sad

All I can say is, keep checking his pastern area, behind the heels and all up under the feathers to the back of his knees and hocks, feeling for bumps and little raw spots.
Even if there are no visible signs. Hopefully, he'll never have a problem.
PS-sorry for the hijack, Valerieeee Smile

Friend Joined: 01 Jan 2009 Posts: 50

Hi Valerie
What boots have you got for Scout? I bought Boa's for George, he went out in them twice and broke them twice, grrrr.
Hope you have better luck.

Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 4:41 pm

here he is with naked legs...Ive got Cavello boots and have hada canter AND they didnt come of wooohooo Laughing

now need to upload the pic with boots on x

Friend Joined: 01 Jan 2009 Posts: 50

I don't think those boots are made big enough for mine, the largest I could find were Boa's size 8 but they are so clumpy he treads on them!
Glad to hear you've had more luck.
He looks fine with his shaved legs and I'm sure he won't mind having a bit of air round them for the summer.

Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 5:04 pm

dont forget he is only halfa shire... they are Cavello's ive had a canter AND they stayed on wooohooo,
dont worry about the chat change sdslancs
here are his new booties

Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 5:21 pm

ahhhh - little booties!!!!! Is he getting used to them Valerie?

Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 5:49 pm

well he was walking like "John Cleese" in his ministry of silly walks but got used to them really quickly http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqhlQfXUk7w
mmmm this just might work,Scout has been given a grant for his walk !!!

Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 6:05 pm

halarious val! our pony walked like that the first time i put travel boots on him Laughing

i think scout looks smart shire crosses suit it, it makes them look more 'hunter' there is a stunning big bay in a paddock just a few meters from our house clipped out and hogged he looks like a great big hansome poilce horse- stunning x

Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 6:56 pm

Ah, got to love John Cleese! Laughing

I thought it was a video of your horse walking funny!

The boots look very smart and not cumbersome at all. They look like really nice bell boots in the pic and his legs look nice too!

Senior Friend Joined: 31 Dec 2009 Posts: 188

Looking good Scoutie, the boots make him look like Jack, with whites on the back and blacks on the front! Very Happy

I love the fact he is just mooching in your garden, wish my lad could do the same Laughing

Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2010 8:33 pm

hope they do the trick for you valerie Wink

scouts looking well Very Happy

Senior Friend Joined: 19 Sep 2009 Posts: 160

What a smart chap Wink

Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 9:52 am

Awwww Scout looks great! Very Happy

Valerie, I have friends who each ride a shire x, and both are barefoot and wear boots on the road. They do really well in them, although I think they mostly walk.

Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 12:03 pm

He still looks very handsome. Good job clipping. If I tried that it would look like Edward Scissor Hands did it!

Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 2:15 pm

edward scissor hands - delicious!

Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 2:29 pm

Bless him - I'm sure he'll soon be ok - all of my horses have been and are barefoot, and they do fine. What a cutie!!! xx

Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 3:24 pm

thankyou so very much for you lovely comments, I do love him so much xxx