This is a list of things we've needed, used, acquired or are trying to acquire in the first week of having both horses front shoes removed... This list assumes the tack cupboard is bare and includes everything we've used!
1) Knowledgeable and patient barefoot professional/trimmer - Got!
2) Some patience of your own - Got some, think we'll need a bit more yet!
3) Horses that will pick their feet up easily(sounds obvious but both our girls are fab at this yet still found it difficult when sore and on rough ground and bootless) - Got!
4) Pilate's/Yoga Mat to make picking feet up easier in emergency rough-ground booting situations - Got!
5) A horse that won't freak out at the idea of standing on a Pilate's mat - Got!
6) Boots that fit - Kind of got but the full discussion deserves it's own post!
7) Antibacterial and anti fungal foot wash, in a spray gun makes life 100 times easier - got by putting half hibiscrub and half water in an old spray bottle.
8) Gaffer tape, sticking down bits of sticky-out/flappy boot - Got! (thanks Ian!)
9) Understanding neighbours, who at least suspect you wouldn't intentionally let your horse suffer without having excellent intentions and good reasons - Got!
10) A tough skin and faith/belief for when number 9 fails - Working on.
11) Baby wipes and Milton to clean out smelly boots - Got!
12) Two pairs of hands and/or horses that will safely stand to have boots put on at liberty in the field with their mates - Got by organising a bit of both
13) Some kind of low-level anti-inflammatory to reduce the risk of abcessing when bruises happen - On order!
14) Access to a very cheap supply of Aloe Vera juice (Ketamine free preferably!) as highly recommended for tissue/hoof recovery - Got but not that cheap at £1.50 per horse per day
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