Ridecamp: [RC] barefoot and shoeing

Hi all, the conversations regarding barefoot and shoeing is very interesting. I guess we all do have our opinions. The really important thing seems to be what works best for our horses, and paying enough attention to what helps them and keeps them comfortable. In my short experiences with horses (only 7 years) I have believe in both barefoot and shoes. I have just fronts on two of my horses (one has arthritis in the shoulder). Three are barefoot most of the year and do great. We have trails comprised of al sorts of footing from good dirt paths to very rocky. My sixth horse I put both shoes and remove them part of the year. She had the worst feet and had no wall when I adopted her from a humane society. I had to allow a few months of growth prior to putting fronts only on her. Six years later she can go barefoot and it has helped her. My farrier actually says she has good feet! Music to my ears. She also had a severe quarter crack (prior to me getting her) we had to deal with. The barefooting helped toughen up her walls; although I had to be careful with her. She can go barefoot even on rocks. But, I don't like to do that a lot. As for shoes. the only thing I get concerned about is the nail holes. I like to allow the shod horses to go barefoot long enough to grow those out. I also paint their soles with a little bit of 7% iodine. It helps toughen up the soles. I do this sparingly and only for a couple days after they have been barefoot trimmed. It also kills germs and thrush which I hate and have luckly never had to deal with.

[RC] barefoot and shoeing - Kathie Ford