Going Barefoot! Week 3 Problems

Berkeley1 · 07-02-2009, 10:11 AM

Just curious, why go barefoot? I haven't owned horse very long (about 4 years) and mine have always had shoes, never thought about taking them off. If my TB looses a shoe, in about 3 hours he is dead lame and doesn't want to move. I couldn't imagine taking all of his shoes off.
Is it better for them to not have shoes though? I compete in hunter/jumpers and I rarely see horses without shoes (usually some poines are barefoot though)

Just though I would ask, any info. would be great!

mftx4 · 07-02-2009, 10:46 AM

For me, it seems to make for a healthier foot. Shoes restrict the natural growth of the foot. Less likelyhood of horses injuring each other. Less cost. As said before, not all horses are able to go barefoot and if I owned one that absolutely had to have shoes, they would have them. Some diciplines that punish the feet, do require shoes. I believe it's up to individual to make that decision.

Halo's_mom · 07-02-2009, 11:42 AM

Shoes create pathologies in the hoof that takes years to correct when going barefoot. Going barefoot is a process and it takes horses time to transition but once you are there you are there! I have 6 riding horses all barefoot and they put out 30 miles in a day on all kinds of terrain and not even chip hoof wall i have yet to have to put a shoe on any of them. My horse Halo has almost 1/2 inch hoof wall super thick. My horses don't abscess don't go lame and don't get tender at all. It's people that don't have the patients to give them the time they need to get the proper hoof going.

lbhugg · 07-02-2009, 11:54 AM

when people say my horse has weak feet he can't go barefoot its like if you were to ware shoes 27/7 then out of the blue decide to never put shoes on again, you can be very comfortable going barefoot eventually it takes time the difference when you do it with horses you need to make sure that they are comfortable the whole time as to not get bruising or cause a toe first impact then you are not getting the true effect of the barefoot horse that is where booting comes into play. if they are sound in the pasture leave them bare if they need help across stone or under saddle theboots will help w/ the transition period

Dawn · 07-02-2009, 11:59 AM

Whose idea was it to go barefoot?

You and your farrier took your horse barefoot during the middle of show season, without any (that we see here) measures to help him adapt. And you're suprised he's sore?

Why can't you get boots now?

GotaDunQH · 07-02-2009, 12:54 PM

I'm curious as well about going barefoot, in the middle of show season. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. If you TRULY want your horse to go barefoot (and IF your horse is a barefoot candidate as not all horses are depending on what they do for a job), then I would have waited until after show season and started toughening up those soles right off the bat.

As a side note to MFTX4: My show horse is shod year round. In the winter, I will put borium on the front and pull the back shoes. He's still in work during the winter, but I don't want him getting hurt on the ice that always comes with our winters. He's also turned out alone, so kicking another horse with his shoes on is a non-issue. Also, shoes have not restricted the growth of his foot whatsoever. A previous farrier (about 4 years ago), had him crammed in a one size too small shoe. My trainer switched farriers 4 years ago, and my horse is now in a one size larger shoe, which means he does have natural growth which was done keeping him shod the whole time.

Jennifer

crayon · 07-02-2009, 01:32 PM

I agree. It was a mistake for you to pull the shoes in the middle of show season and from what I read he didn't need them pulled. Why not have him reshod so he can be comfortable and pull them in the winter? Then he can have some time to toughen up a bit.

Chiko · 07-02-2009, 02:16 PM

Here is a little bit of info I found on the net:

How do horseshoes cause damage to hooves?
Here in a nutshell is a brief explanation. Firstly, shoeing a horse removes his natural weight bearing hoof mechanism. This happens because the shoe removes the sole, frogs and bars from weight bearing and places all the horses weight on just the hoof walls leaving no support underneath the sole and frogs either. Secondly, when a shoe is applied to the hoof, it is applied when the hoof is in its non-loading or non weight-bearing state.

When the hoof is on the ground it is in loading or weight-bearing state, it is expanded and at its largest size. When the hoof is not on the ground holding the horse’s weight it is in its contracted or non-loading state. When a shoe is nailed onto the foot in a contracted state, then is expected to stay contracted during the period of time the shoe is affixed to the hoof. The natural hoof mechanism is for the hoof to expand and contract with movement to allow proper blood flow into and out of the hoof to the rest of the horse as well as to allow engergy dissipation and shock absorption on landing impact.

This expanding and contracting not only allows proper blood circulation but also creates the proper growth of necessary fibro-cartilage internally to support the weight of the horse. The movement grows and strengthens the tissue and the blood flow feeds and nourishes the growth. When you remove or inhibit the important expanding and contracting hoof mechanism you remove the internal strength of the hoof capsule. Sort of like a use it or lose it effect, if the hoof is stuck in a contracted state the parts that aren't being stimulated my movement will become weak and atrophied and not fit to carry the weight of the horse as nature intended.

Eventually the internal tissues will be damaged and later die off. You will then begin to see hoof pathologies such as abscessing, navicular changes, pedal osteitis, ringbone, sidebone and even mechanical founder. Other weaknesses also result from shoeing such as thin and weak soles, frogs and bars not to mention thin, brittle hoof walls. These things contribute to sole bruising, pedal osteitis, toe first landing etc. All hoof pathologies are direct results from broken down hoof mechanism due to one or a combination of any of un-natural shoeing, un-natural diet and un-natural riding practices.

Halo's_mom · 07-02-2009, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiko

Here is a little bit of info I found on the net:

How do horseshoes cause damage to hooves?
Here in a nutshell is a brief explanation. Firstly, shoeing a horse removes his natural weight bearing hoof mechanism. This happens because the shoe removes the sole, frogs and bars from weight bearing and places all the horses weight on just the hoof walls leaving no support underneath the sole and frogs either. Secondly, when a shoe is applied to the hoof, it is applied when the hoof is in its non-loading or non weight-bearing state.

When the hoof is on the ground it is in loading or weight-bearing state, it is expanded and at its largest size. When the hoof is not on the ground holding the horse’s weight it is in its contracted or non-loading state. When a shoe is nailed onto the foot in a contracted state, then is expected to stay contracted during the period of time the shoe is affixed to the hoof. The natural hoof mechanism is for the hoof to expand and contract with movement to allow proper blood flow into and out of the hoof to the rest of the horse as well as to allow engergy dissipation and shock absorption on landing impact.

This expanding and contracting not only allows proper blood circulation but also creates the proper growth of necessary fibro-cartilage internally to support the weight of the horse. The movement grows and strengthens the tissue and the blood flow feeds and nourishes the growth. When you remove or inhibit the important expanding and contracting hoof mechanism you remove the internal strength of the hoof capsule. Sort of like a use it or lose it effect, if the hoof is stuck in a contracted state the parts that aren't being stimulated my movement will become weak and atrophied and not fit to carry the weight of the horse as nature intended.

Eventually the internal tissues will be damaged and later die off. You will then begin to see hoof pathologies such as abscessing, navicular changes, pedal osteitis, ringbone, sidebone and even mechanical founder. Other weaknesses also result from shoeing such as thin and weak soles, frogs and bars not to mention thin, brittle hoof walls. These things contribute to sole bruising, pedal osteitis, toe first landing etc. All hoof pathologies are direct results from broken down hoof mechanism due to one or a combination of any of un-natural shoeing, un-natural diet and un-natural riding practices.

Wow!!! Very well put could not have said that any better!

and it's right on the money.

mftx4 · 07-02-2009, 03:13 PM

GottaDun QH, that's exactly what I was saying. Each person has to decide for themselves what they feel is best for their horse. I've had horses that wore shoes for many years. The shoes were always pulled during the winter because we didn't ride during cold weather. The OP was looking for opinions and that's what I was doing. As I said, each person has to decide for themselves.

07-02-2009, 11:59 AM	#15
Dawn Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 37,203 Images: 1580	Whose idea was it to go barefoot? You and your farrier took your horse barefoot during the middle of show season, without any (that we see here) measures to help him adapt. And you're suprised he's sore? Why can't you get boots now? __________________ Sexy by Christmas Challenge-r!! Goal: 11 lbs LOST CURRENT: 4 lbs LOST Starting Weight 170 lbs. Goal Weight 155 lbs. Reached! 20 pound club 2009 Starting Weight 152 lbs. Goal Weight 140 lbs. Reached!

07-02-2009, 12:54 PM	#16
GotaDunQH Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Leominster MA Posts: 2,439 Images: 3	I'm curious as well about going barefoot, in the middle of show season. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. If you TRULY want your horse to go barefoot (and IF your horse is a barefoot candidate as not all horses are depending on what they do for a job), then I would have waited until after show season and started toughening up those soles right off the bat. As a side note to MFTX4: My show horse is shod year round. In the winter, I will put borium on the front and pull the back shoes. He's still in work during the winter, but I don't want him getting hurt on the ice that always comes with our winters. He's also turned out alone, so kicking another horse with his shoes on is a non-issue. Also, shoes have not restricted the growth of his foot whatsoever. A previous farrier (about 4 years ago), had him crammed in a one size too small shoe. My trainer switched farriers 4 years ago, and my horse is now in a one size larger shoe, which means he does have natural growth which was done keeping him shod the whole time. Jennifer __________________ "My kingdom for a horse."

07-02-2009, 01:32 PM	#17
crayon Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: MA Posts: 3,434 Images: 40	I agree. It was a mistake for you to pull the shoes in the middle of show season and from what I read he didn't need them pulled. Why not have him reshod so he can be comfortable and pull them in the winter? Then he can have some time to toughen up a bit. __________________ Crayon is my baby! Crayon's Corner Store & Etsy shop coming soon!

07-02-2009, 02:16 PM	#18
Chiko Full Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Beautiful British Columbia Posts: 269 Images: 57	Here is a little bit of info I found on the net: How do horseshoes cause damage to hooves? Here in a nutshell is a brief explanation. Firstly, shoeing a horse removes his natural weight bearing hoof mechanism. This happens because the shoe removes the sole, frogs and bars from weight bearing and places all the horses weight on just the hoof walls leaving no support underneath the sole and frogs either. Secondly, when a shoe is applied to the hoof, it is applied when the hoof is in its non-loading or non weight-bearing state. When the hoof is on the ground it is in loading or weight-bearing state, it is expanded and at its largest size. When the hoof is not on the ground holding the horse’s weight it is in its contracted or non-loading state. When a shoe is nailed onto the foot in a contracted state, then is expected to stay contracted during the period of time the shoe is affixed to the hoof. The natural hoof mechanism is for the hoof to expand and contract with movement to allow proper blood flow into and out of the hoof to the rest of the horse as well as to allow engergy dissipation and shock absorption on landing impact. This expanding and contracting not only allows proper blood circulation but also creates the proper growth of necessary fibro-cartilage internally to support the weight of the horse. The movement grows and strengthens the tissue and the blood flow feeds and nourishes the growth. When you remove or inhibit the important expanding and contracting hoof mechanism you remove the internal strength of the hoof capsule. Sort of like a use it or lose it effect, if the hoof is stuck in a contracted state the parts that aren't being stimulated my movement will become weak and atrophied and not fit to carry the weight of the horse as nature intended. Eventually the internal tissues will be damaged and later die off. You will then begin to see hoof pathologies such as abscessing, navicular changes, pedal osteitis, ringbone, sidebone and even mechanical founder. Other weaknesses also result from shoeing such as thin and weak soles, frogs and bars not to mention thin, brittle hoof walls. These things contribute to sole bruising, pedal osteitis, toe first landing etc. All hoof pathologies are direct results from broken down hoof mechanism due to one or a combination of any of un-natural shoeing, un-natural diet and un-natural riding practices. __________________ www.horse-n-saddle.com "The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a person."

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07-02-2009, 10:11 AM	#11
Berkeley1 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Louisiana Posts: 301 Images: 25	Just curious, why go barefoot? I haven't owned horse very long (about 4 years) and mine have always had shoes, never thought about taking them off. If my TB looses a shoe, in about 3 hours he is dead lame and doesn't want to move. I couldn't imagine taking all of his shoes off. Is it better for them to not have shoes though? I compete in hunter/jumpers and I rarely see horses without shoes (usually some poines are barefoot though) Just though I would ask, any info. would be great!

07-02-2009, 10:46 AM	#12
mftx4 Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Cordova, Ill. Posts: 2,093 Images: 48	For me, it seems to make for a healthier foot. Shoes restrict the natural growth of the foot. Less likelyhood of horses injuring each other. Less cost. As said before, not all horses are able to go barefoot and if I owned one that absolutely had to have shoes, they would have them. Some diciplines that punish the feet, do require shoes. I believe it's up to individual to make that decision.

07-02-2009, 11:42 AM	#13
Halo's_mom Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 786 Images: 10	Shoes create pathologies in the hoof that takes years to correct when going barefoot. Going barefoot is a process and it takes horses time to transition but once you are there you are there! I have 6 riding horses all barefoot and they put out 30 miles in a day on all kinds of terrain and not even chip hoof wall i have yet to have to put a shoe on any of them. My horse Halo has almost 1/2 inch hoof wall super thick. My horses don't abscess don't go lame and don't get tender at all. It's people that don't have the patients to give them the time they need to get the proper hoof going.

07-02-2009, 11:54 AM	#14
lbhugg Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 534 Images: 9	when people say my horse has weak feet he can't go barefoot its like if you were to ware shoes 27/7 then out of the blue decide to never put shoes on again, you can be very comfortable going barefoot eventually it takes time the difference when you do it with horses you need to make sure that they are comfortable the whole time as to not get bruising or cause a toe first impact then you are not getting the true effect of the barefoot horse that is where booting comes into play. if they are sound in the pasture leave them bare if they need help across stone or under saddle theboots will help w/ the transition period

07-02-2009, 03:13 PM	#20
mftx4 Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Cordova, Ill. Posts: 2,093 Images: 48	GottaDun QH, that's exactly what I was saying. Each person has to decide for themselves what they feel is best for their horse. I've had horses that wore shoes for many years. The shoes were always pulled during the winter because we didn't ride during cold weather. The OP was looking for opinions and that's what I was doing. As I said, each person has to decide for themselves.