Losing a shoe - would you ride?

Depends on front or back
what surface you are riding on
How is the hoof now I.e. Any nails left? Any hoof missing?
why did it come off
 
I hacked with 3 shoes every day for 9 days in the Spring. I had only just got my horse going after major behaviour problems over the Winter so I was not prepared to give her a day off unless really needed. She coped perfectly well without and it led me to take her shoes off completely, she has now been barefoot for 6 months.

My tb on the other hand would not be able to cope if he lost a front shoe, he may just about manage if it were a back one. Saying that he'd probably be ok oj a surface or in the field.

As long as your horse has no nsils left in I would see how he goes, I'm sure he'll tell you if he was struggling :)
 
It would depend on the circumstances for me. Eg. Is he likely to be sore? Is he lame on it? How much you were planning on doing, the surface etc
 
My OH's mare lost a shoe the other week ( she only has fronts on) he took it easy with her, saying she would tell him if she couldnt cope, she was fine, no probs
 
In a school yes most likely, on the roads probably no, but would depend on horse and the need. I've competed on a surface with three shoes with no issues.
 
He only has front shoes on and pulled one of them cleanly off this afternoon. He got it caught on something.

He isn't lame or sore, but I would be hacking which would include roads.

He has good solid feet. Would it be bad to see how he goes and turn around if he's not coping? I wouldn't usually ride but with the nights drawing in, weekends are my only chances to ride.
 
I would give it a try, some genuinely are not affected ime, others are on three legs, just listen to the horse and I'm sure you'll be fine :)
 
However good the hoof, I would not hack out with a lost shoe as would feel that the feet would be unbalanced - I would ride on a surface though.
 
I wouldn't hack - roads/stony ground etc would be tough without. But ride my current one on grass/rubber (not sand as it wears) when shoe is lost, front or back, just no jumping. Old horse wouldn't have coped though, even with a hind...
 
In your situation i wouldnt ride as the shoe was wrenched off and you dont know what happened or the force involved

Had the horse cast a shoe with no trauma then i would possibly ride on soft ground
 
I wouldn't ride either of ours the tb would be stabled until new shoe was on - the other one could maybe go out - but I'm not a farrier so don't know if any damage has been done - wouldn't fancy riding this morning either especially in a field x
 
Mine only has front shoes on and has lost the same shoe twice since the farrier has been, I rode in the menage on Friday with just one shoe as it had been the only day we could do anything and he was actually fine...I have decided to take the shoes off anyway, as they seem to be causing more trouble than its worth!
I think they will show pretty quickly if they are unbalanced or sore.
 
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