Competing barefoot

[Ahrena]

My pony is going barefoot next week (well she already only has front shoes, never had backs) because she's got very good feet, but has real problems with concussion - even in the field on decent/firm ground she gets splints even though I'm soooo careful with her. Don't do a lot of roadwork either as am very lucky with hacking.

My only concern is really competing - when ground conditions aren't ideal, I'm a bit worried about her slipping. I have studded her infront in the past, though have since learnt that thats really not a good idea, and havn't since.

If she does slip a lot or isn't happy, I think I'll just shoe her all round so I can use studs behind, but would rather try cheaper first

She's only competing like 2 foot 6 atm but has a lot of scope to go on, and is a wizzy little thing which is why i'm a bit worried.

Does anyone have any experiences?

 

[clipclop]

It's not a problem so long as you and she are balanced. you can be fast and balanced.

My big man doesn't wear shoes. We canter down hills even if the ground is wet. We jump on wet ground. We only jump to about 2'9" these days.

We did the Dressage qualifiers on grass the other week and lots of people were talking that they wish they had mahoosive studs in. We were fine and were placed.

I don't notice any differences really apart from more grip out on the roads.

I only have experience of my one horse.

You have to assess yourselves as the individuals that you are. Don't do it for the wrong reasons. Do it for the right reasons and see how it goes. Above all speak to your Farrier about it.

 

[Fleur100]

All mine compete barefoot (except the TBs) without any problems or issues.

www.welhamstud.co.uk

 

[Kallibear]

All my horses are barefoot and never have any trouble. They happily jump on grass (Kalli jumped a 3ft course the other week) and never slip and slide out hacking, depsite the mud.

 

[flyingfeet]

I would usually only stud the hind shoes, so if you have managed thus far I wouldn't worry. If ground is so bad they are slipping all round, its worth being selective on competing

To give the other side of the coin, I would never have mine barefoot. However this is because they are fairly heavy and big and the very lowest height I compete is 3ft. I would be very unhappy jumping 1.10m on grass without the option to stud up!

 

[Thistle]

Richard Jones http://www.britisheventing.com/asp-net/Events/Results.aspx?RiderId=34768&section=000100010002 a pro eventer competes most of his younger/lower level horses barefoot

 

[Orangehorse]

There are quite a few people competiting barefoot, although they tend not to advertise it.

If your pony is used to it they should be fine. Mine is back in shoes at the moment, but I find him a lot less surefooted than without shoes. We could school happily on grass in the rain shoeless, in shoes it is far more slippy.

 

[Bubblegum]

Our 13.2 pony has competed for the last two years without shoes. He does a bit of everything... sj,xc & dressage. He completed a two day event a couple of weeks ago, no problem. He also plays polo. His main job is mounted games. He is very, very fast and does the most fantastic turns and dead stops, all without slipping.
He is very well schooled, so is balanced & agile and we have a fantastic farrier who takes great care to make sure his feet are trimmed and kept balanced every six weeks.
I think the most important thing is to have your pony's feet just as well cared for as if they were shod, and you will be fine....if only my horses had such good feet I would love to leave them unshod too!!!!!

 

[clippi]

I compete barefoot, but at endurance, the highest we jump is a couple of foot, but I can ride in all conditions cantering up and down hill with no problems

 

[Ahrena]

Thanks everyone

Spoken to my farrier and he thinks she'll have no problem other than a bit footsore so about a week max as she really has fantastic feet...

I think we'll just play it by ear. She has the scope to jump 1.10ms but not the brain [just yet ] hence we're taking it super slow, so we won't even be doing BSJA or BE for 2-3 years though I fully intend to xD and if we start jumping bigger I probably will be putting her shoes back on (and hinds) so we can stud if we need to...but for now we'll see how it goes.

I feel better now xD I had a project pony last year barefoot, a lovely haffy, but he was so slow I can't really compare it