Is he likely to cope without hind shoes?

Sol

Sol

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Thinking of only having Dan shod infront next time round. Mostly because money is constantly tight, and now that I've pretty much given up on roadwork... does he need them?

I know it wont save a lot, but every little helps. Is it worth trying though? I don't think he has bad feet, we mostly work on a surface - worst bit is walking across the car park to the arenas/fields where it is quite stoney in places, but unshod welsh A copes fine?

Only thing putting me off trying him totally shoeless is that he's a wuss! Not sure if he would be able to go a day without going lame because he's a prat :p

What do you think?? Am I going soft? Or am I a horrid owner for considering it? :D


Sol x.
 
I would give it a go. My horse hasn't had back shoes for years now and it's never been a problem. Her hind feet are actually in better condition than her front. Has your horse got fairly good feet in the first place? If you aren't sure it would be worth discussing it with your farrier. At the end of the day if it doesn't work you can put the shoes back on next time. (It saves me nearly £30 every time so is well worth it!)
 
From past experience, give it a try - he'll soon let you know!
Had a ClydesdaleX who went shoeless whilst out of work, tried him without when bringing him back into work but due to flat feet and stoney/flinty ground he just struggled.
Took the option of just shoes on the front and we never looked back!
Think that they can struggle more without shoes on the front as there is so much more physical weight for them to carry (theirs, not yours!!).
My IDx that I have now has always been shoeless and unless we ever have a problem, will stay that way.
They're all different so try the 50/50 option and hope he likes it - fingers crossed for you.
 
Thanks :D If he did cope, I'd be tempted to try him without all round (horses are born without afterall, so why not?!) Other question would be XC 'barefoot'? We don't do it often, but we both enjoy it when we can :D Although I know places like somerford are pretty much completely on all weather tracks now and somerford is where we tend to go :p

His feet seem a pretty good shape to me, and he's never had a problem with them cracking or chipping or anything that I can remember, but I will have a word with the farrier first :)

Thanks again :)
 
When I turned my girls away I had all shoes taken off and when I brought one of them back into work I opted to have her fronts shod only. I must admit I didnt think it would last - she's still only got front's on now and I have to admit, her hinds are looking so much better than her front!

It's definitely worth a try, it's a saving of £35 for me - which just about pays for their blue chip!

ETA: Re: XC, we do the lot! XC, SJ'ing, hunting, dressage with no issues what so ever.

ETAA: I failed to mention from September to March she's barefoot.
 
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I agree. Definitely worth giving it a go. Horses carry much less weight through their back end, so usually the hind feet are far easier to transition to going shoeless than the fronts.
 
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