Suby2
Well-Known Member
Due to health issues including arthritis I have decided to retire my pony. She is normally shod all round but I am thinking of having her completely barefoot. Are there any possible downsides to this?
All shoes off or not?
- Thread starter Suby2
- Start date
SusieT
Well-Known Member
If not ridden and out on soft ground I see no reason she would need shoes- every horse is an individual though. Potential downsides included bruising/abscess if you have very stoney ground.
Suby2
Well-Known Member
No, the field is not stoney.
smellsofhorse
Well-Known Member
With th amount of people taking ther horse barefoot, being in full ridden work, doing endurance, hunting etc and coping brilliantly.
I see no reason why your retired horse can't go baregoot.
There will be a transition faze and uou will need to address the diet and be watching out for thrush.
I see no reason why your retired horse can't go baregoot.
There will be a transition faze and uou will need to address the diet and be watching out for thrush.
Wundahorse
Well-Known Member
I have recently taken our WBs shoes off as he is retired. I felt he should have the chance to see if barefoot makes a difference. I took the hinds off three months before going the totally barefoot 8 days ago. So far so good. He adjusted really well to the first phase and seems comfortable with all shoes off.
Took me a while to summon up the courage to do this but glad I have.
Took me a while to summon up the courage to do this but glad I have.