Barefoot shoes

I have 2 questions...

1-aren't these just like imprint shoes in a different form?

and

2-if they are a "shoe", like the imprint does that mean they could only be fitted by a qualified farrier?
 
What a good point!

I reckon that if they are non-removable for the trimming cycle, then they are a shoe and can only be fitted by a farrier.
 
Its still legal to put shoes on your own horse though, isn't it? You could (if you should want too) use a trimmer then apply them yourself.
 
I do think that this falls into that grey area, or possibly coming out the other side as it is called a shoe that in legal terms in the UK only a farrier can use them! It will be interesting to see how this develops in the uk!
 
The Farrier Registration Act can in in 1975, so a very long time ago. And this is copied from there web site:


What is the Council's policy in relation to modern shoeing materials?

The Farriers (Registration) Act 1975 was set up to regulate the activity of farriery in the interests of equine welfare. Under the Act "farriery" is defined as:

"any work in connection with the preparation or treatment of the foot of a horse for the immediate reception of a shoe thereon, the fitting by nailing or otherwise of a shoe to the foot or the finishing off of such work to the foot."

It is a criminal offence for anyone other than a Registered Farrier, approved farriery apprentice, veterinary surgeon or student veterinary surgeon working under supervision to shoe a horse, or otherwise carry out farriery unless required because of an emergency first aid situation.

There is no definition of the word "shoe" in the Act. It is the Farriers Registration Council’s view that the meaning should be considered in its purposive context. Horse shoes are not only available in metal but in a wide variety of materials and styles, developed for different types of horses, the condition of their feet and the work they do. It is the function of the object rather than material from which it is made that is important. Thus the following are considered to be "shoes" for the purpose of the Act:

Glue-on plastic shoes.
"Hoof wraps" consisting of a length of bandage like material which is impregnated with a synthetic resin which is soft when wrapped around the foot but having been soaked in water dries, forming a rigid, solid structure around the hoof. Screws, or glue may also be used as anchor points, or as a means to adhere the wrap to the hoof wall.
This is because they are clearly intended to give protection to the hooves by providing a solid structure between the hoof and the ground, they can be left in a place for a number of weeks, are firmly affixed, solid and immoveable and need special tools to remove them.

The application of the products described above, amounts to farriery, or shoeing, for the purposes of the Act.

Farriers Registration Council

November 2012

http://www.farrier-reg.gov.uk/regis...-councils-policy-to-modern-shoeing-materials/


 
I believe the wrap business was down to one (or two?) successful prosecution. The trimmer in question didn't have the funds available to defend whereas WFC have loads of money to spend defending farrier practice. It wasn't written into the original act. Someone with loadsa dosh could challenge that.
Wraps weren't invented in 1975! lol Mmm, wonder if the WFC have just added it themselves.
 
In this country glue on boots are still grey.

I have no doubt these shoes are for farrier application only though :).
 
I is amused still by the comment that we put hooves through more than they can cope with... Lol!!!

Not sure the average competition horses hoof gets as much bashing as a wild stallions in Nevada...

I'm on the fence with that "sneaker" I'm afraid. I just can't seem to form an opinion which is dead rare for me...

But I do have an opinion on the FRC if anyone would like to hear me? :D
 
tallyho! said:
But I do have an opinion on the FRC if anyone would like to hear me? :D
Click to expand...

:cool:

I am looking at getting my old boy shod for his last few months. The Cushings has ravaged his soles and I can't get him comfy enough to potter around without gimping.

If I had the option of these shoes, I would prefer them over traditional rim shoes. Thirteen years of traditional rim shoes left him with sulcus thrush and horribly contracted heels that have never really resolved, despite 10 years barefoot. I would like to avoid that if possible - but I doubt he will be alive long enough for it to cause a problem......
 
Oberon said:
:cool:

I am looking at getting my old boy shod for his last few months. The Cushings has ravaged his soles and I can't get him comfy enough to potter around without gimping.

If I had the option of these shoes, I would prefer them over traditional rim shoes. Thirteen years of traditional rim shoes left him with sulcus thrush and horribly contracted heels that have never really resolved, despite 10 years barefoot. I would like to avoid that if possible - but I doubt he will be alive long enough for it to cause a problem......
Click to expand...

Awww Oberon, only you know and you know more than I do so perhaps trying them is an option though I don't think you need to justify anything to make your old friend as comfy as poss.

After all, barefoot or shod, thats all we really want for our horses, to be sound and comfortable without compromise... however, compromise we must at times.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top