Barefoot

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Iestyn

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I am thinking of taking the front shoes off my horse (he doesn't have hind ones on anyways) and am wondering if anyone else keeps their horses barefoot and compete but do some hacking as well. He has fabulous feet - really good quality and when I bought him back in April he didn't have any shoes on - but he'd not long been backed and hadn't done any hacking. Any success stories? I mainly do dressage with him (or will be) a little jumping and hack once or twice a week but never go very far.
 
Hi

When I brought my cob he had four shoes, then went to just fronts now none.

I took the advice of my farrier and have always said if he needs them he can have them,.

The only time i notice that he is barefoot is when we hit gravel and he "stumbles" just head for the grass verge.

Give it a go the farrier is only a call away to put them back. But do give it a couple of weeks for his feet to ajust.
 
I've got my danish warmbloodxTB barefoot and do hacking (including flinty chalky south down paths) and some riding club level competitions. I've actually found jumping wise on grass, that my mare is happier and more confident than she did with shoes and studs. (unfortunately she's lame at the moment with suspected suspensory problem, but it isn't to do with her feet, but an impact injury in field)

Also my friend competes her 17hh dutch warmblood without shoes in open HT/ODEs, riding club teams - only reason not affiliated is that boring old reason of time and money, as they certainly have the talent and having no shoes hasn't stopped them at all!
 
I kept my Welsh D without shoes for 2 years when I backed him, however he began slipping on grass jumping and losing his confidence. I put shoes on and used studs, much better. I really wanted to keep him without shoes for as long as possible as he also has excellent feet, but sadly it didnt work out. His confidence has shot up now.

Just try him barefoot and see how he goes. He might be fine.
 
Got 6 horses all barefoot! 3 compete affiliated with no problems. Have been barefoot for over 3 years now very happy, move better, no worries on lost shoes, don't churn field or menage up. Go for it but be prepared for a transitional period that may take a few months until a new horn capsule has grown down. Also, get someone who knows how to trim a barefoot horse properly as this will make difference between success and failure!
 
My mare competes elementary barefoot, and it has hugely improved her movement.
She also hacks, and can quite easily do over an hour of roadwork with no problem, and go over flinty tracks, and I have never really done any conditioning work with her, she mostly works in the arena.
 
Mine seems fine on all surfaces. However he is a big horse and is very steady on his feet. He covers the ground well so we don't have to tear around the place.
I confidently jump him on grass on slopes and cross country. I can't tell the difference.
It is something you just need to try out and see how you get on.
 
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