could

[loujomiles@yaho]

anyone tell me the difference in cost between shoeing and trimming? does it work out about the same?
i ask as I am getting the most beautiful haflinger who is barefoot on his rear hooves but shod on the fronts. i would be keen to go barefoot totally but need to know a bit more about it both financially and healthwise. if anyone out there knows anything could they let me know? thanks and appreciate it:p

[chickyd444]

we pay 65 pound for a full set including road nails, and 30 pound for a half set ie. just two front shoes and and a trim on the back, and 25 pound for a trim, hope this helps , ps my pound sign is broken LOL;):D

[senjj]

Most EPs charge £40 per consultation plus travelling costs.

[loujomiles@yaho]

thanks
I also meant to ask what are the health benefits/detriments of bare foot.:)

[Roofio]

Our ep charges £35 for a trim, usually every 5 weeks or so. I think it works out roughly the same as being shod for my two when you consider extra costs like pads, cleantrax and boots if needed. Depends on the horse though, my two are a right pair of wrecks so tend to need a bit more than a lot of horses that just get on with it!

If you search some of my old threads you'll see pictures of how both my boys, but in particular Jr have improved since coming out of shoes.

Health wise i think there's lots of benefits in terms of concussion in the leg joints and things like that.

Good luck! :)

[senjj]

The perspective the EPs take is to try and get the healthiest foot possible under your horse. That may mean that you need to shoe for whatever discipline you want to do. It's not barefoot versus shod, it's healthy versus unhealthy and the deciding factor is always environment and that includes the owner and how much time you are able to commit.

[Tatooed Lady]

You might also ask the current or previous owner if there's a health issue making them keep the fronts shod...

Our Percheron is barefoot, and with a bit more aggressive trim to get rid of side flares, etc, she's coming along beautifully. It costs me $50 for a trim, but standard sized breeds are $30 or $35, I forget which....shoeing, however...I was told over $100 to have her trimmed and shod.....no thanks. ;)

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it!!"

[Sexy Sietske]

All mine are barefoot at the moment, 2 are young uns with really good feet so they wont have any shoes on unless needed (very unlikely)
TB has had his off to give his feet a break while not being worked, they have grown a fair bit now so should be able to get a shoe on properly next time :p