Hacking with no back shoes on

[Ruth89]

Hi, I'd like to get some thoughts on hacking with only front shoes on.

I got my new mare (3/4 ID) almost four weeks ago and she is only shod onfront. I would take her out to hack 3 times a week (circa 45mins) on the road (not stony ground).

I'm worried about her back feet getting sore. Ofcourse I will get the farrier to assess when he is back out to me but I'd like to hear other people's experience/thoughts on this.

Thanks

 

[ihatework]

I’d see absolutely no reason to shoe behind unless she becomes sore (which I doubt)

 

[Equi]

The issue I have with this is that nearly every time I’ve tried it my horse ended up with no heel and long toes due to his conformation. Most horses I know seem to be similar and end up with the shoes back on eventually but they might be fine for months.

 

[Red-1]

I have taught many people who only shoe in front,no issues.

I have had 3 horses do that amount of work completely barefoot, only shod up again when I wanted to go XC, for grip.

I would say it is no issue, in so much that you can start without the backs, and if there is an issue there is nothing wrong with sticking the backs on.

 

[SO1]

Depends on the individual. I have had my new forest pony for 13 years & he is shod only in front & we do road hacking 2 or 3 times a week.

 

[Ruth89]

Thank you everyone for your replies! My mind is at ease a bit more now about taking her out with only fronts on. Shall see how we get on over the next few weeks

 

[DabDab]

She should be fine, particularly if it is what she's used to.
I do at least as much as that on mine without back shoes...









...or front shoes

 

[spotty_pony]

My Thoroughbred is still only shod in front and hacks out 2-3 times per week. I'm just sensible and don't do a lot of trotting on the roads and go on the grass wherever I can but she is not sore - and only ever needs a tidy up behind when she is shod.

 

[OldNag]

I have not yet had one shod on all 4. Most have been barefoot but a few with fronts. It has never been an issue.

 

[gunnergundog]

It CAN set up musculo-skeletal problems as the co-efficient of friction will be different, front compared to hind.

 

[Sail_away]

She might be alright, mine wasn’t, we ended up putting hinds on as we increased the hacking. But horses are all different, I’d just keep a close eye on her hooves, watch the heels and how they’re wearing.

 

[PoniesRock]

I’ve got a Connie who’s only been shod in front forever. I hack her miles and miles and never had a issue. Horses for courses ?

 

[holeymoley]

As others have said, it all depends on your horse. Lots of different attributes such as hoof confirmation, growth speed etc My guy has spent most of his life barefoot behind with the odd year or so shod due to yard conditions at the time- very stoney tracks all over. He is currently barefoot behind and probably hacked out on a variety of terrain more than ever now! 5 days per week on a mixture of grass, gravel, tarmac, sand & large stones on forestry tracks. He has surprised me and the farrier by not requiring shod and not showing any signs of being sore at all. You just have to keep an eye out for excessive wear- that's when you go easy for a few days, and also on the rougher stoney ground it can chip the wall ever so slightly. Again go easy for a bit. They usually look as good as new in a couple of days.

 

[Pinkvboots]

Every horse I have ever owned managed to be ridden almost everyday for hacking schooling and including roads without back shoes on

 

[Landcruiser]

You could always try taking the fronts off as well so they match
Seriously, loads of barefoot horses do much more work than that, including roadwork. Mine is hacked 4+ times a week on all surfaces including roads and flint tracks - he has fabulous feet.

 

[Gloi]

If you are worried she isn't coping with the amount of work you could always stick boots on the back for long rides. I boot mine in front for anything over about an hour and boot the back for anything over 2 hours or so and that works for him.Less than an hour he goes bare. If I only ever walked on the road he wouldn't need anything but I do a mix of gaits. I do know many that have never needed anything on the hinds though, some of which do a lot of miles.

 

[alexomahony]

I’ve got a Connie who’s only been shod in front forever. I hack her miles and miles and never had a issue. Horses for courses ?

Me too!