Keeping horses ‘barefoot’ has never been so popular.  So, why is this and what advantage does it have over traditional shoeing?

Economy

Keeping your horse without shoes on is obviously cheaper than having him shod every four to six weeks.  You could even learn to maintain your horse’s feet yourself.  Barefoot supporters also claim that the horse’s foot is able to function more naturally without shoes and remains healthier, so you’ll have fewer vet bills too.

Healthy Hooves and Better Movement

When a rigid shoe is placed onto the horse’s foot, it takes away the foot’s ability to flex and act as a natural shock absorber.  This can lead to poor circulation inside the foot leaving it prone to injury and disease.  Shoes raise the horse’s foot so that the shock-absorbing frog is not in contact with the ground.  This leaves the hoof walls to take the strain instead, passing the concussive impact on to the joints.

The weight of a set of shoes affects the flight of the limbs, and consequently alters stride length and action.  Horses rely on feel when moving across the ground because they can’t see where they are putting their feet.  Shoes take away this sensation, making the horse more prone to stumbles and trips.  Barefoot hooves have a certain amount of grip too making them more secure on slippery surfaces like tarmac. 

Steel shoes can cause injury to the wearer, his handlers and his field mates.  Barefoot is clearly the safer option for all concerned.

Farriers’ Argument

Farriers argue that horses are shod to make their feet better able to withstand the increased wear and tear brought about by ridden work.  They maintain that barefoot hooves are more easily broken and prone to cracking especially during spells of very dry weather.  Shoes can be fitted with studs to help a horse balance when working on slippery grass or when jumping.  Horses with poor foot conformation or those recovering from injury can be greatly helped by remedial shoeing.

In Conclusion

It seems that there are arguments both for and against your horse going barefoot.  Horses living in the wild manage perfectly well without shoes, so do domesticated working animals really need them?

Image source:  horsegroomingsupplies.com