This article looks at the pros and cons of going barefoot. Having your horse shod has generally been the accepted way of horse hoof management. However, more and more people wish to keep their horse in as natural a way as possible.
Shoeing has always gone hand in hand with horse ownership. Whilst some horses need the extra help with their feet that shoeing can provide, allowing your horse to go barefoot can lead to many benefits for you and your horse. Better hoof health is just one of the benefits.
There are both positives and negatives of attempting to transition to a barefoot horse. Read on to find out the main ones and help you decide if barefoot will work for your horse.
Pros Of Going Barefoot
If you’re interested in your horse becoming barefoot, but aren’t sure of the benefits, the list below may help.
What are the benefits of going barefoot:
- Hoof health – The health and shape of your horse’s hoof can often be improved by removing horseshoes and going barefoot.
- Better movement – Many people who have removed their horse’s shows hold the belief that their horse has better movement without shoes.
- Cost – Some horses, especially breeds with strong hooves, such as cobs, can go barefoot with no problems. This means that instead of paying for shoes, only trimming is required. Therefore you may be able to save money on trimming.
- Traction – Barefoot horses tend to slip less on surfaces such as concrete and tarmac. This may be helpful for those that do a great deal of roadwork.
- Fewer concussion injuries – No-one wants their horse to be injured, so moving away from shoes may mean your horse incurs fewer injuries.
- Improved heart rates – Endurance riders have reported that without shoes their horses have better recovery rates.
- Circulation – Hooves that are unshod appear to have better circulation than those who wear shoes.
- No pulling off shoes – It’s the bane of some horse owners that no sooner have their horses been shod, than they have pulled off one of their shoes. Overreaching in the field can be a common problem. A problem that can be removed by going barefoot.
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These are not all of the potential benefits of transitioning your horse to barefoot, but they are certainly more than enough reason to give barefoot a go.
Cons Of Going Barefoot
As with everything, not all things are cut and dry. Many horses benefit from going shoeless, but there can be problems for some horses:
- Hoof problems – If your horse has problem hooves it may be unwise to try going barefoot, but many hooves improve without shoes and few the correct diet.
- Unsoundness – Sometimes a horse is shod to help overcome confirmation problems. Going barefoot in this scenario would not be advisable.
- Finding a trimmer – Be careful when choosing your barefoot farrier as unlike farriers that shoe, barefoot practitioners do not need to be registered with a governing body, not do they need any qualifications. As many farriers mainly shoe, they may not be aware of the subtle differences needed when trimming a horse that is permanently barefoot.
- More regular trimming – Although many horses actually need trimming less frequently than they would have shoeing, others, especially at first need more attention. Therefore you should be prepared to have extra time and money available during the first 6 months of transition.
- Bruised soles – Some horses have soft feet and soles that don’t fare well on hard or stony ground. Transitioning isn’t as simple as just taking shoes off and never worrying again. Taking things gently on good ground especially to start off with will help to avoid bruised soles and potential lameness.
- Hoof boot rubbing – If you go barefoot but use boots for riding, make sure that the boots fit correctly so that they don’t rub and cause sores on your horse.
- Time to transition – It can take up to a year to successfully transition to barefoot. It is often not the quick fix the owner was anticipating. Patience can sometimes be needed, but can often be worth it in the end.
- Unsuitable for some disciplines – Even though barefoot horses are becoming more common, there are some disciplines that won’t accept hoof boots in competitions. Other events such as cross-country that require better grip through using screw in studs are not possible with barefoot horses.
When considering whether to go barefoot with your horse, think about the reasons that your horse is currently shod. If it is for conformational reasons then barefoot may not be for you. However, for most horses it’s definitely a route to try that will benefit both you and your horse.
How To Go Barefoot With A Horse
Transitioning your horse from being shod to being barefoot can be a long process. Some horses do better almost instantly, whereas others can take a year or more to be fully comfortable.
A good diet is the most important part of transitioning, along with having an experienced trimmer that is able to support you and give you advice.
Some owners notice that hooves get better without shoes, but it is always advisable to make sure that your horse is getting all of the necessary vitamins and minerals. There are foods available too that have been specifically designed for hoof health.
If you own a traditional gypsy cob, or one that is prone to mallanders and sallanders, then check that the feed does not contain biotin. Biotin, whilst brilliant for hoof health and growth, can cause mallanders to flare up in some horses.
If you have taken off your horse’s shoes but notice he still gets footy, especially on stony ground, then using hoof boots may help you have the best of both worlds.
Movement is incredibly important for barefoot horses, as it helps circulation to the hoof and helps to strengthen the hoof and sole. If you are able to keep your horse on a track system this will not only increase the amount of exercise your horse gets, but will allow his hooves to be the best that they can be.
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Conclusion
There are several things to take into consideration which thinking about transitioning your horse to a barefoot life. Ensure that you have the support of a barefoot farrier and the the movement and dietary requirements of your horse are being met. You can use hoof boots for riding and keep your horse barefoot at pasture if this works for you and your horse. Sometimes, even with the best will in the world, there are horses that do not happily transition to a barefoot life. This is not a failure if you’ve given the horse every opportunity. If your horse if happier and healthier being shod, then that is the better course of action.
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