One for barefoot experts...

[wench]

Just been musing (and I am sure that you will all be able to help me)!

So assuming a horse has problems with its feet, and it's shod, and you take the shoes off. What conditions (if any!) cannot be cured by going barefoot?

 

[Flame_]

Keratomas.

 

[Scarlett]

I would assume that would completely depend on each situation individually. I've seen/heard of many things being 'cured' by removing shoes, but that may not strictly be tru with each horse in it's situation. I doubt there is a black and white answer to this question....

 

[Brightbay]

Pedal bone fractures

You can't improve dietary related problems by removing shoes either - you need to address the diet. So thin soles, white line disease, seedy toe, hoof wall separation - removing shoes won't, of itself, help unless the cause is addressed.

 

[TwoStroke]

'Going barefoot' is not really about just 'removing shoes', though... it's about growing a strong, health hoof. Shoes can be an obstacle to this in many cases, but nothing more.

 

[amandap]

'Going barefoot' is not really about just 'removing shoes', though... it's about growing a strong, health hoof. Shoes can be an obstacle to this in many cases, but nothing more.

Yet again I agree with TwoStroke. Getting and keeping a hoof healthy is much easier barefoot as the hoof is able to flex and be stimulated much more. This aids circulation and building any weak hoof structures as opposed to just providing support. A healthy, correctly functioning hoof will support the horse properly and enable all ligaments/tendons etc. to move as they are designed. A badly formed and or sore hoof causes issues throughout the horses body, be that long or short term. A bare hoof will also adapt, support and reflect body issues provided it is trimmed sympathetically to what that hoof is 'saying'.

Pedal bone fracture may well require a cast be that shoes or some other way but I don't know enough about them.

ps. I can't be called an expert though, just an interested, fascinated person who has read, studied and observed a bit. lol