With all
the talk about the benefits of going barefoot, keep in mind that it’s not for
every horse. Discuss individual needs with your farrier — and perhaps your
veterinarian — before you dispense with the horse shoes. As long as there aren’t any
special therapeutic reasons for keeping your horse shod, allowing your horse to
go shoeless for a time might be a good option because it:
Allows the hoof to expand and
contract more naturallyImproves circulation due to
greater surface contactStrengthens and revitalizes
hoof walls as nail holes grow out and are trimmed awayAllows soles to harden and the
frog to function more effectively to cushion impactProvides the foot with greater
traction, especially on hard or slippery surface.Makes hooves less likely to
hold onto snow and ice in severe weatherSaves you money
If you are
going to have your horse’s shoes pulled, be sure there has been enough time
since he was last shod for adequate hoof growth to have occurred. Your farrier
will need to leave the hoof walls longer than he would if he were simply
resetting the shoes. That extra bit of foot will help keep the horse more
comfortable by elevating his soles from the ground surface. Your farrier will
also not want to pare out the sole or tidy up the frog excessively either, as
that extra layer will help protect sensitive feet from bruising. Your farrier
also will round the edges of the hoof walls to prevent cracking or
splitting.
Although
hooves grow more slowly in cold weather, you may need to have your farrier out a
bit more often to maintain your horse’s bare feet, perhaps every 4 weeks or so.
While the feet may not need to be trimmed, per se, they may need to be filed to
keep the edges smooth so they don’t break.
You’ll
need to be considerate of those naked feet, especially at first because they may
be tender. Be selective about the surfaces over which you lead or ride your
horse. Then when the weather warms up and your riding schedule expands, you can
reconsider the practicality of shoeing. PH
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