SusieT
Well-Known Member
Ok, let's start by removing from this group, the horses that are treated as any other shod horse is, i.e turned out in open pasture during the day and are barefoot and totally sound. Let's leave out the fact that many (shod and unshod horses) are kept in 24/7 or in unsuitable conditions.
I believe, and am interested in hearing opinions on, that mental wellbeing is more important that having a horse who does not wear shoes, if wearing shoes is not causing physical pain to the horse or there are extenuating circumstances as to why the horse cannot wear shoes. There are many, many sound horses out there wearing shoes (and plenty not wearing shoes). Why should this horse that is sound and happy in himself, be suddenly restricted in his turnout? One might say horses are born to be barefoot, they are also born to roam massive areas.
To place a horse behind an electric fence creates frustration. We all know that by the amount who escape. Horses enjoy wide open spaces, with appropriate shelter and food and water. Horses prefer not to be confined.
Muzzles are not pleasant either for horses to wear, I don't think anyone would argue with that.
So, obviously some of these things are necessary for horse welfare, to prevent the horse getting fat and developing laminitis, such as strip grazing.
But why is it better to restrict a horse from being in open spaces, from being able to let rip without having to hurtle round corners, or put him in a muzzle, for the sake of taking shoes off him (when he is totally sound in shoes). Additionally often there is 'hardcore' or similar added to 'condition' the feet, and the horse is forced to walk over an uncomfortable substance to get to food. It is not much better than a 'go kart' track, or a carousel pony that has to keep going round and round..(well.. that's an exaggeration obviously..but there are similarities)
Food is another point. Given the choice between hay and grass, particularly soaked hay, a horse will choose grass. Horses are often very keen to get grass and enjoy it. Refusing them access to grass, e.g keeping them in a dust paddock, solely for the purpose of taking shoes of this horse, to me again is sacrificing the mental well being of this horse for the sake of going barefoot.
So what I'm saying is that I believe the mental wellbeing of horses is being compromised by taking them barefoot, extenuating circumstances and the group that are sound at pasture excluded.
I'm sure I'm not the only one. Feel free to offer opinions
I believe, and am interested in hearing opinions on, that mental wellbeing is more important that having a horse who does not wear shoes, if wearing shoes is not causing physical pain to the horse or there are extenuating circumstances as to why the horse cannot wear shoes. There are many, many sound horses out there wearing shoes (and plenty not wearing shoes). Why should this horse that is sound and happy in himself, be suddenly restricted in his turnout? One might say horses are born to be barefoot, they are also born to roam massive areas.
To place a horse behind an electric fence creates frustration. We all know that by the amount who escape. Horses enjoy wide open spaces, with appropriate shelter and food and water. Horses prefer not to be confined.
Muzzles are not pleasant either for horses to wear, I don't think anyone would argue with that.
So, obviously some of these things are necessary for horse welfare, to prevent the horse getting fat and developing laminitis, such as strip grazing.
But why is it better to restrict a horse from being in open spaces, from being able to let rip without having to hurtle round corners, or put him in a muzzle, for the sake of taking shoes off him (when he is totally sound in shoes). Additionally often there is 'hardcore' or similar added to 'condition' the feet, and the horse is forced to walk over an uncomfortable substance to get to food. It is not much better than a 'go kart' track, or a carousel pony that has to keep going round and round..(well.. that's an exaggeration obviously..but there are similarities)
Food is another point. Given the choice between hay and grass, particularly soaked hay, a horse will choose grass. Horses are often very keen to get grass and enjoy it. Refusing them access to grass, e.g keeping them in a dust paddock, solely for the purpose of taking shoes of this horse, to me again is sacrificing the mental well being of this horse for the sake of going barefoot.
So what I'm saying is that I believe the mental wellbeing of horses is being compromised by taking them barefoot, extenuating circumstances and the group that are sound at pasture excluded.
I'm sure I'm not the only one. Feel free to offer opinions