Shod 2 barefoot

[Sam (aka SLW)]

I am considering taking the plunge and changing my horse from shod to barefoot.
I have always been a fan of the eau natrel, bitless and barefoot but my SJ has always been shod so I have just kept him that way.
How do I go from shod to barefoot. I have the farrier coming on 5th January and was thinking of leaving his shoes off. He doesn't have the best of feet and is a bit flat footed. When riding, I either work in a menage or on grass. Hacking wise, I only have to ride on a quite country lane for 1mile max then the rest is all on grass.
Can I have some advice on this please. Another reason for doing this as well as benefitting my horse, is to try and save some money over winter. I could always shoe him again come the summer when the ground is hard. I am also thinking that with him not having the best of feet, a break from shoeing may help to improve them.

thoughts and advice please???:D

[Yann]

A break from shoeing is always a good idea as the extra stimulation the foot gets makes it grow more quickly and strongly. It does usually take at least 5 or 6 months for new growth to hit the floor so you don't normally see the benefit until then if there's one to be had.

However there's often a difference between giving a horse a break from shoes and actually looking to get it sorted out so it can work without them. If it's the latter then it can be the case that your farrier isn't actually the best person to advise you on it, not all of them are clued up on the subject and not a few find it a bit of a threat to be dismissed. It's certainly not a cheap option either if you go the whole hog, not if you look at specialist trimming, hoof boots and any other gubbins you might need. The critical thing is to make sure the horse's diet is right, and cut out cereals and mollassed feeds if you need to because unless you can do that the horse won't ever be completely comfortable whatever trim it gets.

It's a huge subject. There's lots stuff on some of these sites www.barefoothorse.com www.performancebarefoot.co.uk www.hoofrehab.com amongst others.

[poniesrule]

My old pony has been b.foot for 7 months now and her hooves look so much better for it. as she has foalie at foot, i cant give you an opinion just yet on how she will manage riding wise, but in terms of hoof structure and appearance it's top notch:) and farrier agrees too.

as you only have to do minimal road work, that will be in your favour. Have heard good things about old mac boots, if you choose to boot your horse in the transitional period. i will be getting some next year for my mare.

as Yann has already mentioned, a balanced diet is important to feed and nourish the hoof to maintain good function and strength.

good luck with your barefoot venture:D

[GeeJay]

Have to echo Yann, it's definitely not a cheap option if you are trying to go barefoot permanently. However, the benefits for my horse have been enormous and his feet have never looked so good, and we have finally conquered the dreaded thrush! His shoes came off in July and I've been very lucky that he has transitioned quickly and with no problems. Maybe something I should mention as well is that the owner does have to put the time in even if it's just walking in hand for 20 minutes a day on tarmac or faffing about with Cleantrax and soaking boots - worst job in the world! Good luck on whatever you decide to do.

[Roofio]

it isn't cheap no, its costing me around the same as a 6 weekly shoeing was, but its costing me a lot more in bad backs!

i think, if you're going to do it, its worth doing properly ie. a very, very good farrier, or a barefoot trimmer from whichever school you choose - it seems to me that although the theory and thinking behind most of them is different, the outcome is similar - horses get better feet!

someone on my yard wants to do it but "not if i have to do all that work" which to me, is kind of missing the point - you have so much more control and understanding of what's happening, and i'm not trimming my own as others do on here, just doing the faffy stuff!

the benefit for my boys flat (amongst other things) feet has been absolutely enormous. they haven't looked better, and we haven't looked back :)

[Sam (aka SLW)]

Thanks guys, you have given me a lot to consider and i will have a long chat with my farrier (he is ace) in January when he is next coming:D

[Jessica23]

Well, my horse was changed from shod to not a few years ago before there suddenly started to be this hype (i've only just noticed, think i must have missed something!lol).

He was shod to compete obviously, for studs and stuff, but when he was no longer competing and only light hacking it made sense to take them off. We literally just had the farrier come out and take them off.. Didnt change food or anything.. Charlie has been fine and 100% sound :)

I find it very cheap, a trim now is £15 compared to £80 for a set of shoes. He gets trimmed maybe every 10 weeks, he does some light roadwork and that keeps them nice. I was having the farrier every 8 weeks but he said it wasn't necessary!

One thing to bear in mind is that they are more likely to get sore with too much roadwork so do keep a check on his feet :)