Putting hind shoes on?

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Halfstep

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Osk is 8 and doesn't have back shoes on. He has good strong back feet that don't wear down too much and don't crack. BUT, a conversation with a very experienced dressage trainer has got me thinking.

Horse has had surgery on a hock, and is now working Advanced Medium and beginning to work seriously on stuff like canter pirouettes, piaffe, etc. I was told that putting hind shoes on him now would really help to support his hind legs and take some of the strain off his joints (important because of his history). However, I have also been told to keep shoes off him as without the feet can spread and absorb shock better, minimising torsion on the joints. So I'm confused. Farrier says it doesn't matter to him, but the feet are good quality and don't "need" shoes in that sense. Any advice much appreciated.
 
I've heard that when you put shoes on, it prevents the hooves from absorbing the shock, as you said, and if your horse doesn't need them, because of his history, I would leave them off.
 
personally i think if no hind shoes is working for him now then why change? if it ain't broke, don't fix it!!
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maybe give your vet a call to see what he thinks about how it could affect his legs/joints?
 
I had a 17h horse in my yard that competed International Small tour, schooling GP, he never had hind shoes on his life. He's now 16 and no problem with his joints.
 
Vet said it is up to me - put shoes on if I feel he needs it. I guess the jury is out on whether shoes do support or not. Like so many things with horses!
 
Yer, it is up to you at the end of the day, but I mean, with my mare, she is shod in the front, as she has weaker feet on the front and can get foot sore without them, and then my WB gelding has them on all 4 because he has a lack of hoof on one of his front feet, so needs special pads, and he has sensitive back feet, so it is more convenient for him to be completely shod. If neither of mine needed shoeing at all, then they would be bare foot, but that is not possible.
 
It's so hard because for 1 person who says don't there will be 1 who do.

All of ours are bare behind but saying that Hils was shod behind - he was very straight behind and we found that we were able to make him more 'comfortable' with shoes on. That said he was an old stiff boy who was confirmationally flawed before we started!

I know that we did consider hinds with Maddie as we could raise her heels - however she had a specific injury so I suppose it depends on circumstances.

I would like to try and keep ours bare but would consider hinds if we encountered a problem - I don't think I would put hinds back on just in case.
 
Thanks everyone. You have sort of confirmed what was in my head. I think I'll keep the shoes off unless there becomes a real reason to put them on. My wallet will be happier anyway! But when an international rider makes a comment like that, you start questioning your judgment!
 
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