Bare Feet and Sore Backs

["Raymond O'Donohue" <rayo@cfw.com>]

Most Field Trial horses are shod 'front only',but my farrier says 
this is likely to lead to a problem elsewhere in the horse,over time.The 
horse will carry himself in such away as to compensate,and develop 
stiffnes/muscle shortening in the back,while not really showing any 
symptoms in the rear heels which are the cause of the problem.Sort of 
like my chronic sore neck,which a fine PT taught me is cause by stiff and 
shortened upper back muscles,rather than anything in the neck itself.So,I 
do as he suggests,and shoe all four.Yes,barefoot is best if you are only 
in the right sort of conditions for that,but few of us are.