Abcessed hoof

["RACHAEL WARD" <rward@admin.hilconet.com>]

Hi, I have a 3 1/2yr old gelding that I am hoping to do endurance on
eventually.  I have only had him two weeks and he is recovering from what I
guess must have been an abcess in his right front hoof.  He was slightly
lame when I bought him and got progressively more lame for the first week I
had him.  At the time I couldn't figure out what was wrong, he had no heat
in his foot or noticeable tenderness when his hoof was tapped on.  But, he
was totally lame.  Four days ago I noticed he was traveling sound again and
on inspecting his hoof found an oozing, smelly, quarter sized wound (wasn't
there before) in his coronet. I cleaned it out,  gave him bute for a day or
two and I am now riding him and he seems just fine.  (no soreness, feels
great) My question is can I shoe him now?  Or should I leave him barefooted
for a while?  I am  still treating him with Coppertox on his soles daily
and he is NOT lame at all.  I am hoping to attend an  LD ride in a couple
of weeks (just for experience, not trying to complete) and there are LOTS
of rocks.  If  I shoe him, would pads on his front feet be a bad idea?  If
I don't shoe him, I am definately going to skip the ride. (Even though it's
the last one in my area until March... )

Rachael and little Cien 
(but mom, no one else is going this way!)