This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Horse Care » Hoof Care, Hoof Trimming, Shoeing Horses » Care of the Hoof: an Overview »
  Discussion on New horse... shoes or barefoot?
Author Message
Member:
equinkel

Posted on Thursday, May 21, 2009 - 7:03 pm:

I've just acquired a 13 year old Anglo Trakehner. He is a monster at 17.3 hands. He has had well over a year off. He is currently barefoot. I don't know much about the horse's past but I do know about a year ago he had an injury in his front hoof coming of he trailer and ripped his hoof from the coronet band all the way down. He appears completely recovered from this incident. I've never had a horse barefoot before but now that this horse is already barefoot I'm considering keeping him barefoot. He will be training pretty hard in the next few months getting in shape for jumping. From the round pen work I've seen him do he appears a little weak in his hind end. The footing in our arena is quite deep and he will be encountering some gravel and rock. Any advice would be great.
Member:
canter

Posted on Friday, May 22, 2009 - 7:15 am:

Hi equinkel,

I think the best thing you can do is observe your new horse, perhaps have a consultation with your vet/farrier and see how things go. Real scientific, huh? Keeping him barefoot would be great, but there are some horses who simply work more comfortably in shoes for a variety of reasons, an example being thin soles.

Do you have any history on the horse? Has he always been barefoot? Talking to the previous owners might provide some insight as well, but I think your own observations as you up the intensity of his work will probably be the deciding factor. If he stays comfortable and works well, I see no reason why you would need to put shoes on him. If he tends to bruise easily or has an underlying condition, he may need shoes for added support.
Member:
equinkel

Posted on Friday, May 22, 2009 - 9:24 am:

My farrier is coming out next thursday so I will get his opinion. I currently have an ottb with sensitive feet and low heels. So the thought of no shoes is foreign to me:-) What are the right questions to ask the farrier to make sure he is knowledgeable about barefoot trimming? Or is it the same trim you would use if they had shoes?
Member:
stek

Posted on Friday, May 22, 2009 - 10:38 am:

Equinkel, congrats on your new horse. There are many different styles of barefoot trimming .. some farriers who almost always shoe horses will put the same trim on them as they would if they were to be shod, some will alter the trim considerably. I'd recommend doing some reading on the net on the different kinds of barefoot trimming and then discussing with your farrier.

Like most things in the horse biz you will find many heated opinions on the 'right' and 'wrong' way to do a barefoot trim. IMO the right way is the way that keeps your horse sound and comfortable and follows his natural angles.

Also as Fran said some horses go just fine barefoot (I have 5 right now that are doing great that way) and some need shoes to stay comfortable in heavy work. Just keep an eye on your horse and do what works for him.
Member:
canter

Posted on Friday, May 22, 2009 - 10:42 am:

My mare has thin soles, so she is always in shoes like your TB, and no shoes is a bit foreign to me as well! But, most of the horses at the barn have no shoes, many of them working, not just pasture ornaments. Also, there are many members here who have un-shod horses (and do their own trimming), so I will defer to their expertise on how to look for a good bare-foot trimmer and how to know what is correct. Your farrier may be just fine to do the job, but I think I remember some members stating that not all "shoers" are great with dealing with bare feet.
Member:
scooter

Posted on Friday, May 22, 2009 - 11:22 am:

Equinkel does your horse have a line going down from where he injured his hoof. Usually if they damage the coronet band it always grows out differently from that point down. IF he does have that line I would be tempted to shoe for work, to help hold his hoof together.

Other than that , let the horse tell you, you will know soon enough if he can tolerate barefoot when in work. Does he mind walking on gravel with out shoes now?
Member:
lhenning

Posted on Friday, May 22, 2009 - 2:15 pm:

All barefoot trimmers are not the same. I spent years with farriers who were really shoers that tried to trim my barefoot horse in the same trim they used on a shod horse. All it did was create big problems with my horses foot, including thin soles, flares, and soreness after trims.

Now I use a guy that is a certified barefoot trimmer and what a difference. Problems the other guys said where caused by heredity have disappeared. My horse is sound and can walk easily on gravel. I can now ride after trimming, which I could not do before.

If you want to keep your barefoot horse healthy, do some homework and make sure he is trimmed by someone that knows what they are doing.

Good luck,
Linda
Member:
zarr

Posted on Friday, May 22, 2009 - 3:12 pm:

Try Pete Ramey's site and also www.barefoottrim.com/ . All mine are barefoot and have been for 10 yrs. But none jump?? :-)
Member:
sodmonst

Posted on Friday, May 22, 2009 - 11:42 pm:

When I first got my horse, his previous owner gave me the name of the farrier who trimmed his feet. I noticed that he did not roll the toe, and that the horse seemed uncomfortable on stony footing for for the week afterward.

Then I found a "hoof care specialist," and what a difference! First of all, Hairball likes him, which is unprecedented. He says that it is important to "ask permission" before hoof care, and he prefers to work with the horse at liberty, "he can relax better if he knows he can get away." He gives me some instruction when he visits, and now I'm keeping his hooves nice between visits with the Rider's Rasp.

I agree with everyone here; whether to have a horse barefoot depends on the horse, and depends on who cares for its feet. I am grateful that my horse doesn't need to wear shoes. Years ago I read a statement saying that most foot problems stem from the cumulative damage from years of shoeing. Whether it's true or not is debatable, but I never forgot the statement.

I hope you enjoy this new horse, equinkel. It seems that he lucked out and got an owner that cares about his comfort and welfare
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, May 24, 2009 - 6:24 pm:

I agree with the above general idea that what you need is more information before you can decide and that will be best provided by a professional examination of the hoof. Barefoot trims and trimming to shoe have many similarities but there are two main differences: the sole will be in more contact with the ground and the front edge of the hoof will not be protected by the iron shoe. So in essence leaving as much healthy sole and frog as the horse started with before the trim, and rolling the wall at the toes to prevent shear cracks in the wall at this point are the big differences between shod and barefoot trims. Proper balance of the foot is the hard part which most farriers should have mastered.
DrO
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC