I wish my horse had shoes on!

[Supertrooper]

Pointless post but I wish we could go out for a ride today, even the fields too muddy to ride in now :-( Oh well only another two months and we can start going out again.

Anyone else in the same position?

 

[be positive]

It has to be said, why do you need shoes on, he may be happy to go for some short rides without.

 

[RPM]

I've found my barefoot horse copes far better with slippery conditions and mud now than he did when he had shoes. Maybe you are worrying too much?

 

[Moggy in Manolos]

Well kind of similar. I currently do not have a horse of my own so missing things greatly including riding, I am helping out with my friends mare and ride her sometimes.
So looking forward to getting my own and the year ahead

I am hoping my new horse can be fully barefoot so I will ride anywhere and everywhere without shoes

 

[Supertrooper]

I'm only not sure as he's a very big shire x. I do ride him in the field when it's dryer without shoes but the field is so wet ATM I don't want to churn it up even more.

Road wise we've only got tarmac and I'm not sure if he'd be footsore with being so big xx

 

[tallyho!]

Well, just try! See if he goes ok... if not, nevermind

 

[RPM]

If he's new to having his shoes off, he might be fine on the tarmac as long as there are not lots of loose stones on top. You'll soon know! My own horse was a complete wuss when he first had his shoes off but now hacks happily for up to four hours at a time across all sorts of terrain on the South Downs. You need to build up exposure to different surfaces without making him uncomfortable and of course diet and correct trimming are important too. Is he safe to lead or long rein? That way you could see how he went on the surface.

I don't have access to a school to ride in and know what you mean about poaching the fields too much! Sometimes I do dream about having a lovely indoor school....but most of the time I know my horses are far happier living out than they were at previous yards that had more "facilities".

 

[MissTyc]

My Shire X cob is a completely nightmare on slippy mud as well. She's 14 years and this is our first "barefoot" (unshod!) winter. I hack her out as usual, but I am verrrrrry careful and could definitely not ride circles or in fields, etc ...

My smaller and more errr upright! cobs are all happy, shod or not - BUT none of them would fair well being ridden in fields at the moment as the ground is just too slippy ... shoes or not!

 

[Supertrooper]

MissTyc - pictures please!!!! Berg is shire x cob too and is 14yrs old. This is the boy......

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

ST I would just get on and take him for a tootle

The coblet is unshod and always has been - goes across anything and never flinches and generally has a better grip than any of the shod horses Last year int he snow and ice she went cantering round the yard on sheet ice and never so much as slipped everything else - human and horse was tiptoeing around mud is no problem hoof wise - just ends up with a very muddy tummy

 

[ester]

ST I would just get on and take him for a tootle

The coblet is unshod and always has been - goes across anything and never flinches and generally has a better grip than any of the shod horses Last year int he snow and ice she went cantering round the yard on sheet ice and never so much as slipped everything else - human and horse was tiptoeing around mud is no problem hoof wise - just ends up with a very muddy tummy

you quite clearly lie as your cob has a pair of bespoke gold wellingtons.

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

you quite clearly lie as your cob has a pair of bespoke gold wellingtons.

they are strictly for parties and special occaisions

 

[Supertrooper]

Oh I forgot berg's wellies, I'll take him like this!!

 

[Liviaa'x]

I used to loan a full up 18.2hh Shire, rode out on the roads barefoot.. Never bothered him

Hes gorgeous by the way!

 

[ester]

Oh I forgot berg's wellies, I'll take him like this!!

*shakes head* what on earth were you worrying about then woman! tuts! whole thread completely pointless as the horse has wellies too!

 

[TigerTail]

Shoes would churn the field up more and barefoot horses usually have better tractions and slip less as the nerves in their feet are closer to the surface so can feel better so relay messages to the brain quicker - like working out in bare feet or having sex without a condom

 

[Clava]

Try the tarmac and see, hooves are tougher than we think. My friend's shire x is very happy barefoot and hunts whenever she can.

 

[Chopandchips]

My loan Clydie is barefoot and happily hacks out (mainly roadwork) for hours, I'd give him a try

xx

ps - he's gorgeous

 

[Oberon]

My Ardennes x ID happily does 20 mile + barefoot.

I've heard this before and I don't understand what the size of the horse has to do with it's 'need' for shoes to work?

 

[paddy555]

My Ardennes x ID happily does 20 mile + barefoot.

I've heard this before and I don't understand what the size of the horse has to do with it's 'need' for shoes to work?

lovely pic Oberon. So nice to see you take your pink handbag out riding.

 

[tallyho!]

There you are.... just coz shoes are off, doesn't mean the fun has to end!!! In some cases, you can have even more fun than usual!!!

 

[Moggy in Manolos]

Berg is shire x cob too and is 14yrs old. This is the boy......

Aw he is gorgeous, I love shires

 

[tallyho!]

Here is a clydie x tearing up a dry, stony ht course just for fun...

 

[1Lucie]

My horse is shoeless and took him for lovely hack today! Just walked on verge where i could.

 

[coss]

i suspect you'd be surprised and how he'd cope- definitely worth a try!
I've got a pony who has never had shoes - i only use mac boots if i know i'm going a long way and/or have worn front feet back. And it does save getting grit in the white line
With bigger feet to cope with extra horse i'm sure his feet will be fine - try a short hack and take it from there

 

[MagicMelon]

I'm only not sure as he's a very big shire x. I do ride him in the field when it's dryer without shoes but the field is so wet ATM I don't want to churn it up even more.

Road wise we've only got tarmac and I'm not sure if he'd be footsore with being so big xx

Try it! Remember horses in the wild don't have shoes on and they go up and down rocky mountains etc.