Foot Sore

Question
Hi TJ,

I am soon to be putting my horse out to grass for the summer, since he needs a few months rest due to hock problems. For this, i was advised to have his shoes removed, since he wont need them. He has been wearing Natural balance shoes for the past 18 months, with the natural balance pad and putty underneath to give increased frog contact and to give heel support. These shoes were prescribed by my vet.
He has had his shoes removed yesterday, however, the soles of his feet are very very soft, with considerable rot damage to his frogs. He is not too bad on soft ground, but on gravel or tarmac he is extremely lame in front. He is a little sore but not chronic behind.
Can you suggest anything I can do to either dry up his feet, or reduce the pain? Perhaps there is something I can apply to help the soles and frogs recover?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Louise

Answer
THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTION SORRY I TOOK A LITTLE LONGER IN ANSWERING THAN USUAL ... I WOULD IN THE CASE OF THIS HORSE JUST CONTINUE THE 4POINT TRIM YOUR FARRIER WAS USING TO APPLY THE NATURAL BALANCE SHOE AND LET NATURE TAKE CARE OF THE HOOF  ... IF YOUR HORSE IS STILL TOUCHEY TRY PUTTING THE NATURAL BALANCE SHOES BACK ON WITHOUT THE PAD AND PUTTY SO THAT AIR AND NATURAL MOISTURE FROM THE GRASS CAN GET TO THE FOOT.. GOOD LUCK AND GOOD RIDING   TJ