For those who have unshod/barefoot horses in work...

[lucy1984]

Were they shod prior to the change?

Did you do anything to the build up of having the shoes taken off?

How many times per week do you take them out on the roads?

How many miles do you cover per week?

Have you changed anything in the horses diet/environment? Are they at grass 24/7? etc

Have you came across any problems during having the horse unshod?

Anything else you wish to add about it please feel free, even post pictures.

 

[ecarylloh]

Fleur was shod when we got her 11 years ago. When she moved about 5 years ago to my teacher's paddocks we took them off as we weren't ever going to do roadwork on her in that area.

She is still in work - ridden around 2 hours each week. She needs to cross a road to get to her field, and she's out almost 24/7 unless it's chilly/raining at night.

Never had any problems, if I were to start doing lots of hacking on the roads or on really rocky ground then I'd get her front feet shod again, but I can't see that happening. She has been perfectly happy unshod and no problems at all. The only time she's been lame since we've had her was during a particularly bad case of mud fever.

 

[Spinal Tap]

Were they shod prior to the change? Yes

Did you do anything to the build up of having the shoes taken off? No

How many times per week do you take them out on the roads? 3 or so

How many miles do you cover per week? Umm don't know - it varies

Have you changed anything in the horses diet/environment? Are they at grass 24/7? etc She used to be out 24/7 on poor grass, now she is out days only on lush grass & is muzzled

Have you came across any problems during having the horse unshod? Nothing that has been a limiting factor so far, but my horse does slip behind on wet grass which concerns me because I want to event her & doing a balanced dressage test in a 20x40 on a wet day might be difficult

Anything else you wish to add about it please feel free, even post pictures.

I've been very lucky with my mare, she has been very straightforward. The slipping behind on grass only seems to happen in summer which could be because her feet lack concavity as a side-effect of too much lush grass. If I could control (i.e. prevent!) the fertilising of the turnout fields we might be OK

 

[Boysy]

Were they shod prior to the change? - One was on the front for 6 mths, one was all 4 for 6 mths.

Did you do anything to the build up of having the shoes taken off? - Nope

How many times per week do you take them out on the roads? - Every day

How many miles do you cover per week? - Not sure, 6-7 hacks at 1-2hrs, 1 pure road ride in there a wk too.

Have you changed anything in the horses diet/environment? Are they at grass 24/7? etc - 24/7 grass, not changed diet, simple balancer, chaff & oats, haven't fed mixes or nuts for yrs anyway, not changed environment.

Have you came across any problems during having the horse unshod? - Yes plenty but nothing i haven't been able to sort and nothing that shoes would have prevented.


I can spot foot problems a lot quicker out of shoes, just to add i didn't have the all 4 shod, thats how he came to me & had had the shoes on for a few mths, sacrilege as only a baby.

I can trim them myself as soon as they need doing, self taught, and have a DAEP check my work every few wks. I don't have to worry about slipping on tarmac, wet grass, dry grass, worn shoes, loose nails, loose shoes etc etc.

They can do all the work a shod horse can, yes occasionally they will tiptoe over sharp stones but i can deal with that, i don't want to be ripping over stones even with shoes on to be honest.

It isn't a cheap option IMO and is hard work to stay on top of healthy fast growing feet but if they can work without shoes then i don't see any reason to put them on, i am not against shoeing whatsoever just don't see the need myself with mine.

Big bonus is that i can creep up on people quietly and make them jump - LOL!

 

[touchstone]

Were they shod prior to the change? Yes.

Did you do anything to the build up of having the shoes taken off?
Had to restrict access to grazing and feed low sugar high fibre diet as horse was laminitic. Would remove sugar from the diet for a 'normal' horse anyway now.

How many times per week do you take them out on the roads?
At least 3 or 4, but would benefit from daily.

How many miles do you cover per week?
20+

Have you changed anything in the horses diet/environment? Are they at grass 24/7? etc
Just usual laminitic restriction, but has lived out 24/7 for years using a track system. I do stable at night if the ground is really boggy though.

Have you came across any problems during having the horse unshod?

None.

Anything else you wish to add about it please feel free, even post pictures.

I went shoeless many years ago after my horses feet were deteriorating in shoes. I shod once afterwards for a year or so, mainly due to my lack of confidence, in order to keep horse well exercised to control weight. (would use boots now though) Wouldn't go back to shoes for this particular horse and am glad I took the opportunity to work her without shoes. There is so much support and better hoof boots and information nowadays that any horse I own will probably be barefoot. In my experience the more work that they get the better and I've never had to use boots once her feet adapted to the work.

 

[Kallibear]

Mine have all been barefoot for a long time.

First horses was a cob with AMAZING feet. Did everything and anything without shoes. No special care, no special diet (just restricted grazing to keep her a good weight). Miles of road work and all terrines. She's one of the lucky horses.

Current 17hh HHW hunter had set of shoes on when she came (first set though) so we had them off. Never took a sore stride. Had a set back on when we wondered if her laziness could be due to sensitive feet (nope, just lazy) and has been barefoot since then. Did miles or road work (good 2hrs+ 4-5 times a week) over all surfaces. The only time she was sore was when she got very mild lami. Since then shes been kept on very restricted grazing, esp as she's a VERY good doer. Last month she had a set of shoes on so she could have studs in - she became more clumsy and struggled to keep her feet on the very extreme hill riding we sometimes do - fabulous grip on wet grass with stud on though! She doesn't have classicaly beautiful looking feet ( very unsymetrical, shallow soles, easily crack) but they work.

Current welsh X has never had shoes on and is too silly with his feet to be easy to shoe. He'd lived out 24/7 in a soft field but regularly trimmed when I took him on so, whilst he had lovely shaped feet, they lacked the toughness needed to do any real work. It took 6months of work on smooth hard surfaces, and in hoof boots, for him to be comfortable on anything. He was never sore, just 'careful'. He now does 4-5 days a week of 2+hrs road work over all surfaces. He's also been to the Common rides (many miles (20+ sometimes) of fast work on the roads) and coped fine. He still lives out 24/7 but does because more sensitive if he gets too much grass, so lives on a fairly restricted paddock over summer.

Baby cob has feet the same as my first cob Bounces over everything and they will only get better with the more work he does. They currently grow so fast I need to chop an 1" off every month He's a very good doer and will be on restricted grazing all his life, which will help his feet too.

The general rules I've found are:
a) too much grass make their feet sensitive
b) the more work they do (esp on hard surfaces) the better and better their feet get. And the faster they grow
c) their feet might not looks perfect and 'textbook' but if they're comfortable, they work
d) Comfortable feet function properly. Properly functioning feet are comfortable. It's a cycle and hoof boots are there to help you crack into it.
e) Hoof boots are the biggest pain the ass if you have horses with good feet because they just don't come wide but short enough! They're great for damaged feet (narrow and long toes) but it's almost impossible to find suitable boots for very wide but short-toed feet. Which of course all of mine are

 

[LucyPriory]

Were they shod prior to the change? One yes, other no

Did you do anything to the build up of having the shoes taken off? No for both

How many times per week do you take them out on the roads? every day for previous horse

How many miles do you cover per week? previous horse did 50 miles a week on the road (I didn't have time to do more, but she could have)

Have you changed anything in the horses diet/environment? Are they at grass 24/7? etc both horses 'metabolic' so have to manage diet

Have you came across any problems during having the horse unshod? yes - farrier was terrible trimmer and I had to learn how to DIY

Anything else you wish to add about it please feel free, even post pictures.

Go to http://barefoothorseblog.blogspot.com - hundreds of pictures of lots of horses

 

[jinglejoys]

None of my mules have ever had shoes.
I can't take my equines to work in this job but they regularly used to do about 40mls a week roadwork at my other job.
They live out and have this stuff called grass which they eat all year round

 

[Kallibear]

P.s These are my horses feet:
First cobs feet:

Big hunter's feet, showing lack of symatry

And my welsh cobX who easily does 20miles of road work in a day:

On a side note, it's depressing how many people (even experienced horse owners) know what healthy feet should look like, with or without shoes!

 

[coss]

Were they shod prior to the change? yes no

Did you do anything to the build up of having the shoes taken off? no N/A

How many times per week do you take them out on the roads? once if that - for both

How many miles do you cover per week? about 3 when hacking - have done up to 7 in the past

Have you changed anything in the horses diet/environment? Are they at grass 24/7? etc grass 24/7/365 - sometimes in at night in really bad weather where they get hay old horse, so fed calm and condition, oats, speedi beet, seaweed, greengold, outshine green gold, seaweed

Have you came across any problems during having the horse unshod? nothing much, one absess which was easily treated

Anything else you wish to add about it please feel free, even post pictures.

 

[cptrayes]

Were they shod prior to the change?

YES

Did you do anything to the build up of having the shoes taken off?

NO BUT I SHOULD HAVE AND KNOW BETTER NOW

How many times per week do you take them out on the roads?

AS OFTEN AS I FEEL LIKE IT, OR ENOUGH TO GET MY HUNTER FIT WHETHER I FEEL LIKE IT OR NOT

How many miles do you cover per week?

DOZENS

Have you changed anything in the horses diet/environment? Are they at grass 24/7? etc

I HAVE TO RESTRICT DAYTIME GRAZING FOR ONE OF THEM OR HE FEELS STONES IN SPRING/SUMMER.

I HAVE DRY "TURNOUT" IN WINTER IN A BARN WHICH KEEPS THEM MOVING WHILE PREVENTING THEIR FEET FROM BEING CONSTANTLY WATERLOGGED AND I THINK THIS HELPS A GREAT DEAL.

I FEED COPPER BECAUSE MY LAND IS HIGH IN MANGANESE PREVENTING COPPER ABSORPTION AND IT AFFECTS THEIR FEET

Have you came across any problems during having the horse unshod?

OTHER PEOPLE'S ATTITUDES, OTHERWISE ONLY BENEFITS.

Anything else you wish to add about it please feel free, even post pictures.

I HAVE LOADS OF BEFORE AND AFTER PICS AND EVENTING PIX AND HUNTING PIX. HERE'S ONE FROM LAST WEEKEND. MINE IS THE BLACK ONE. DURING THE HUNT WE WERE GALLOPING ALONG FARM TRACKS MADE OF BROKEN BRICKS, AS USUAL.

http://www.photoboxgallery.com/canphotos/photo?photo_id=849091932&vendor_id=3024219

 

[MerrySherryRider]

Were they shod prior to the change?
- Yes, he had front shoes on.

Did you do anything to the build up of having the shoes taken off?
-No

How many times per week do you take them out on the roads?
-He's out most days.

How many miles do you cover per week?
- roadwork, probably only about 30 miles a week as babysitting another horse at present, but usually would be out for between 7 to 10 miles 6 days a week.More in summer.

Have you changed anything in the horses diet/environment? Are they at grass 24/7? etc
-Coincided with move to grass livery to benefit other, shod, navicular horse. No change in diet apart from more grass. However more land to roam on, herd to interact with and free access to concrete yard and open barns. Remains unrugged.

Have you came across any problems during having the horse unshod?
-No, he's been fine on all terrain, gravel tracks are fine, even trotting on road in heavy rain, he is very confident.

Anything else you wish to add about it please feel free, even post pictures.
-His paces are lighter, he's more confident on slippery surfaces and it costs very little to maintain. He self trims, I tidy up the edges and farrier balances/checks whenever he's there shoeing my other horse, usually every 5 weeks and only charges when he needs a proper trim.

 

[halt_at_x]

Were they shod prior to the change? yes

Did you do anything to the build up of having the shoes taken off? no

How many times per week do you take them out on the roads? 3 in summer, 2 in winter

How many miles do you cover per week? Varies. Hacks are 1 to 2.5 hours on mixed terrain - roads, grass tracks, stony tracks, flinty tracks

Have you changed anything in the horses diet/environment? Are they at grass 24/7? etc not changed anything. Summer out at night, stabled during day minimal feed. Winter turned out 8am-12pm, stabled pm/night, simple feed of chaff, pony nuts and sugar beet. Stays in for the odd week here or there in winter when fields are unuseable

Have you came across any problems during having the horse unshod? no

Anything else you wish to add about it please feel free, even post pictures I have to ignore the opinions of others at times - one experienced owner told me the reason my horse threw a splint this summer was concussion as I do roadwork with an unshod horse and if he was shod he wouldn't have thrown the splint - utter rubbish of course! My farrier thinks he has great feet, and he'd be the first to say if he felt he needed shoes.

 

[diamondrockharvey]

Were they shod prior to the change? No

Did you do anything to the build up of having the shoes taken off? n/a

How many times per week do you take them out on the roads? 3/4

How many miles do you cover per week? 5-10 but will be more

Have you changed anything in the horses diet/environment? Are they at grass 24/7? etc my horse lives out 24/7 only has grass or hay if needed and access to mineral blocks and a handful of sunflower seeds

Have you came across any problems during having the horse unshod? No

Anything else you wish to add about it please feel free, even post pictures.
These are my ponie's beautiful DAEP trimmed feet:

Off side hind

Off side fore

near side hind

near side fore

 

[Faro]

I've got 4 horses, none of which are shod (or have been shod previously), because he's a pretty good example of a hard working, fit, barefoot horse, I'm only going to use one horse as an example here:

Were they shod prior to the change? No

Did you do anything to the build up of having the shoes taken off? N/A

How many times per week do you take them out on the roads? Anything from 1 to 4 times a week. Any hacking around here is at least 75% on tarmac.

How many miles do you cover per week? Varies upon stage in training (this is an advanced endurance horse). Probably a minimum of 10 miles/week, more likely to be much more. Did 50 miles on Sunday alone at an endurance ride, completely barefoot and non-booted.

Have you changed anything in the horses diet/environment? Are they at grass 24/7? etc. Bought horse as a weanling, and have always kept him out 24/7/365 on middling quality grazing, with hay ad lib in Winter. No extra hard feed at all (except Speedibeet but only after hard work such as Sunday was). Always has access to salt and minerals. No sugar in his diet (apart from what's in the grass). Hardly ever feed treats (only on high days and holidays!), but is allowed to eat the apples which fall from the trees in his field when the apples are ripe, and has had no noticeable effect.

Have you came across any problems during having the horse unshod? None whatsoever -10 year old horse - never had a day's lameness in his life. Biggest "problem" is a slight footiness/sensitivity for about 2 days when in new field after field rotation and on fresh grass, but this is transient and very easily dealt with.