Natural Balance shoes on dressage horses.

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caroltyler

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I have had natural balance shoes put on my dressage horse because she was taking shoes off in the field, however, I have heard varying reports on this and many people are very anti natural balance on dressage horses, my farrier does either and says that he will put ordinary ones back on if I want, I do not want to go against him as I asked him what we could do about her taking her shoes off and he suggested natural balance and it has worked, although I do put over reach boots on her as well now. However, can I put ordinary shoes back on her even tho she has been in natural balance for 8 months now. I am very confused.
 
The horse I do BD has NB shoes on. I've never had a problem. What issues have you heard it cause? He has NB to help with his natural not so great foot conformation, he's broken back, and in the last few months he has also had wedges put on. This has meant he's not quite a extravagent with his front leg action, but with time it is actually improving as he's having to put more weight behind and lift his shoulders. Just not as "flicky" going around normally. Does that make sense? But the NB shoes themselves didn't make any difference, it was the wedges.
 
NB shoes are not that diffrent from normal shoes, the only real 'diffrence' is that they are already forged with a 'natural wear pattern' this means that the effort needed to 'breakover' is reduced.

I say NB shoes are brill! adn if your horse is happy in them.. then go for it!

Lou x
 
Each horse is different and one horse might go well in them, one horse may not.

If they are put on well and the Farrier understands the concept behind them and what he is trying to achieve fine, but if not, maybe stick to normal shoeing - and esp on hind feet.

My horse who does dressage has had a hell of a lot of money spent on him in shoeing, vets bills, physio etc as well as time where he wasn't in full work due to Natural Balance shoes not suiting him and bad shoeing, they made him have a short and choppy stride.

I hope I'm not putting you off as your horse may be fine and your Farrier competent, but this is the other side of the coin!

Good luck!
 
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many people are very anti natural balance on dressage horses.

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Many people in the dressage world are pro hyper flexion...it doesn't make it right! I would take your farriers advice, he know's the horse best and has the qualification to make the decision, ignore the dressage diva's most of the are too worried about how fat they look in their white breaches to worry about your horses shoes anyway
wink.gif
 
my new horse who is also a dressager had NB shoes but the farrier before mine didnt fit them as they should! now he is in normal shoes and has no probs although he took a few days to adjust. absolutly fine now.

hope this helps.
 
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