no back shoes - how much grip?

[saz5083]

I've decided to take my boys back shoes off for the winter because basically he has really good back feet and doesnt really need them. So, my question is, would you expect him to lose much grip by not having back shoes on? We dont do much road work in the winter and most competitions are on a surface but I still do some schooling on grass and the odd days hunting where possible. Is he likely to find it more difficult without back shoes? He will still have front shoes on as his front feet are pretty rubbish and I dont think he could cope without them.
Any insights would be greatly appreciated
S

 

[DiablosGold]

My boy has no back shoes and I actually think he has better grip on roads and grass than when he had back shoes

(Although I have road nails in the front shoes.)

 

[saddlesore]

Hey missus! I always thought having no shoes gave them better grip? Only problem would be if you were doing anything that required studs all round!

 

[galaxy]

defo more grip!

 

[samstar]

both of mine have no backs shoes and I'll tell you I've never noticed any dif when one had backs on.

 

[saz5083]

I never use studs anyway (even XC - prepares to be shot down....). Mainly because he's so clean in front (to the extent I think he'd catch himself sometimes) and he can be snatchy with his back feet and I dont want to risk broken taps or a stud shaped hole in my leg! If I thought I could get away with no back shoes all year Id be delighted

 

[Ezme]

Should have more grip. Scroogie had no backs on for about a year because he's an agressive git in the field (and occasionally when working as a pair! grr) and kicks. He never slipped on the road.

 

[Rosehip]

Melly's barefoot and copes really well in all kinds of going, although we havent progressed to fast work yet. My old mare Daizy was barefoot during every winter, and we hunted occasionally with no problems. x

 

[PennyJ]

I think you'll find his grip is just fine with only fronts on. That's how we "run" our little mare (road nails in the fronts) and she does very well on that set up. She does lots of roadwork too. No need at all according to the farrier to put hinds on, so she can stay that way for as long as she remains happy.

 

[CracklinRosie]

I tried taking the back shoes off my mare one winter and had to get them put back on the following week,she just couldn't cope and she had good feet.

Your grip should be better with no shoes!

 

[bennsboy]

Only one of mine is shod all round the rest are bare foot behind. The unshod definatley have more grip, all event and hack on the roads without a problem.

 

[saz5083]

Thanks guys. Think I'll give it a shot over the winter and see how he gets on. If he copes well I might try the first event of the season without backs too. Will save me a fortune if it works

 

[star]

mine's barefoot and copes fine. the only thing he cant do is sharp turns on slippery grass as i found out XC schooling the other week when his back legs nearly went from under me. he's fine doing XC in straight lines, done sponsored rides, dressage etc.