Barefoot or Shoes

ImaTexasPeach · Yearling Joined: 05 Dec 2008 Posts: 19

OK, I've been reading about natural hoof practitioners. Over my 20 years of having my own horses, I've had barefoot horses, I've had shod horses, and I've had farriers do wonderful and horrible jobs at each. I've had horses that were gimpy without shoes, my current gelding doesn't seem to mind either way. In my opinion, it's hard to find a good farrier. (maybe I am picky)

One thing that I think is true is that after your horse gets over the transition from shoes to bare, then they seem to do fine walking over rocks etc. I have a natural hoof person coming out in a couple of weeks to do my horses. I'd like to take my gelding out and do some playdays this summer. He seems to do well without shoes. When we were hard and heavy performing on the PRCA circuit he always had four shoes on. From what I'm reading about barefoot horses, he should do fine at the speed shows without shoes. Anyone had experience with this, good or bad?

JR · Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 7:42 am Post subject:

I'm a big fan of keeping them natural if you can, however, speed events are a place where I'd throw shoes on. My barrel mare always runs with her shoes on, not just regular shoes, but one with a rim on them. They need to be able to place their foot down and have some traction. I'd be way too concerned about going around a barrel and having her not be able to grip the footing and go down. Not something I'd even want to risk.
_________________
JR

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It's never the horse, it's the rider.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ImaTexasPeach · Yearling Joined: 05 Dec 2008 Posts: 19

Thanks. I'm going to try the barefoot trimmer and see what I think. I'm not going to do any serious competition with him anytime soon, so I don't think he needs shoes. Maybe later in the summer if I get serious.

I haven't had alot of time for riding lately so he is most certainly in "pasture" condition. (Or well loved as my next door neighbor calls him) I've started excercising him, I had bilateral knee surgery in December, so my horses have been ornaments. He's unfortunately a super easy keeper and we are working on the south beach diet equine edition right now. Rolling Eyes

I have to be really careful when the grass comes out in the summer. They have their not-so-grassy pasture during the day when the sun is out, then they go out into a better grazing pasture at night. I've considered having him checked this year for metabolic issues as his easy-keeper-ness seems to be increasing. If I'm not careful he could quickly become obese. He's a 6-7 body score right now...

ImaTexasPeach · Yearling Joined: 05 Dec 2008 Posts: 19

Well, the barefoot farrier came out July 3, and he will be out in another week. I have to say that my horse's feet are healthier than they have ever been. I could not be happier with how they look right now. When I first moved to Texas, a farrier took a grinder to my gelding's feet and put a pair of shoes on that must have been 2 sizes too small. (I was not there when the farrier showed up.) I've spent a year trying to straighten his feet back out with more shoes and trimming. One barefoot trim has done more than anything else that I have tried. My new farrier says that his daughter does three day eventing with barefoot horses, so barrels should be fine.

I also just purchased a mini gelding who drives. He is also seen by a natural hoof practitioner. When she showed me how to drive him, we went out on the road. I was concerned and she explained (in depth) about his feet and how much better it was for him to drive without shoes on. I can say that I am 100% sold on natural barefoot farriers.