Retired horse barefoot or not

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snooples

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So my horse is recently retired, he will still be doing the odd ride around the field and around stony paths, he still has his shoes on but they need to be changed and Im thinking if its worth trying barefoot.

He definately wont be getting back shoes on but if he ever loses his front shoes he seems very sore walking over hard ground so Im not sure wether to risk taking all shoes off.
He will also have to walk on stony ground to get to his feed bucket and water.

His hooves are in very good condition and tbh getting him shod every few weeks when he is doing very little seems like an awful waste of money but at the same time I dont want him to be in pain either!
 
Thanks! What do you think about him having to walk on the stony ground for his feed and water though, he would prob be doing that several times a day, do they get used to it quite quickly
 
I think as your horse is retired to keep shoes on is pointless ,I remember a friend who had her horses shoes removed and the hooves trimmed the horse was quite lame ,so we always have the shoes removed and trim a couple of weeks later,this may help your horse get used to no shoes and the fact that he still has to walk on stones, should give him some protection,doing this we have not had a horse go bare foot and be lame .
 
That makes lots of sense actually! Il try that and see how it goes, wish I knew how to remove shoes so I wouldnt have to pay a farrier to come out and do it!!
 
I'd suggest horse boots, although my TB is semi-retired but gets sore if he loses a shoe so will have to be shod all the time, but it might be worth it for you. Speaking to a therapeutic farrier/barefoot farrier may help, as they will be able to suggest things even down to feed that will help the transition
 
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