Shod or barefoot?

Shod, partially shod or barefoot?


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I'm very curious that the vote appears to show more barefoot horses I would have expected it to show more shod as I'm sure there are more shod horses in work than barefoot / unshod ones. Are the shod population just not bothering or interested enough to vote? Or have things really started to change?

Threads like these tend to inspire more contributions from the "new school of thought people" than "old school of thought people" whether they're about shoes, feeding or any other topic, in my experience. I would imagine that people have a tendancy toward evangelicism when they believe they are acting in the interests of the horse (e.g. because they believe shoeing is evil or unnecessary), while people who believe shoeing is a necessity and had always been fine before will be more inclined to ignore threads like this...

I bet someone objects to the above, but since mine are all unshod but I also believe shoeing can be necessary, I would like to point out that I am offering a reasonably unbiased opinion (in so far as that I'm not overtly in either camp) on a generalisation of why thread polls may skew results ;)
 
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I also think that there have always been a lot of horses and ponies who have never been shod, people keep assuming that barefoot is new. 2 of the never been shod animals on my yard are in their mid teens.
 
I also think that there have always been a lot of horses and ponies who have never been shod, people keep assuming that barefoot is new. 2 of the never been shod animals on my yard are in their mid teens.

Quite right - there is a distinction between people who don't shoe - which is reasonably traditional for natives and such and not at all uncommon in older horses. I think the terminology "barefoot" is more associated with the "new order" though, tying into ideas about biomechanics and shoeing being actively bad (as opposed to just unnecessary).

While barefoot accurately describes my horses' situations, I prefer unshod as barefoot for me is associated with the more evangelical proponents of such management styles ;)
 
I think the poll would be far more relevant if it had specified horses in full work, ( a couple of gentle hacks a week would be an unlikely scenario to need shoes, IMO) as presumably that's the area where the opinions differ? I don't know many shod field ornaments, youngstock, aged ponies or pets.
 
Ignorant rubbish. I cant believe you think a horse NEEDS shoes if ridden. Where do you get this pure rubbish from? Some horses may need shoes if they have bad, crumbly feet but in most cases I believe a horse should NOT be shod unless absolutely necessary. Nailing on metal to the hoof is so outdated IMO, the concussion they cause cannot be good for the horses leg and I believe can contribute to navicular (would love to see any stats on this?). I didnt shoe my last horse until he was 6 yrs old, as the first 2 yrs of his ridden life he simply didnt need them. Only when he began slipping when jumping on grass as I went up the levels did I feel he needed the grip. Otherwise, his hooves were in super condition. My current competition horse is shod through the eventing season then unshod from end October until about March because he competes on a surface. At home he is ridden on grass. His hooves look fantastic throughout the winter and having them off even reduces his windgalls.

ahem,its not ignorant rubbish,very insulting comment in my mind,all our horses are shod,thats the way it is,everyone is entitledto their own opinion onthis contentious issue.
 
I think the poll would be far more relevant if it had specified horses in full work, ( a couple of gentle hacks a week would be an unlikely scenario to need shoes, IMO) as presumably that's the area where the opinions differ? I don't know many shod field ornaments, youngstock, aged ponies or pets.


I don't think so! I think most of the posters on here have horses in full work without shoes, like mine. It is a complete myth that fully working horses need shoes. Except in cases of metabolic disease preventing the horse from growing strong feet, it is, in the experience of a huge number of owners of barefoot horses, the owner/horse/livery/exercise/feed combination that causes a horse to need shoes to do this kind of work (and all the roadwork to fitten it and keep it fit):

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EuL6xpZs-q4/TqCNep9gtKI/AAAAAAAAAxM/K6BUGQ9p5ZA/s1600/radar+hedge.jpg
 
I don't think so! I think most of the posters on here have horses in full work without shoes, like mine. It is a complete myth that fully working horses need shoes. Except in cases of metabolic disease preventing the horse from growing strong feet, it is, in the experience of a huge number of owners of barefoot horses, the owner/horse/livery/exercise/feed combination that causes a horse to need shoes to do this kind of work (and all the roadwork to fitten it and keep it fit):

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EuL6xpZs-q4/TqCNep9gtKI/AAAAAAAAAxM/K6BUGQ9p5ZA/s1600/radar+hedge.jpg

Have you read the replies on here? Because a fair proportion of those saying barefoot mention aged, youngsters etc.
And you do trot out that one photo regularly - I could just as easily trot out photos of shod horses doing exactly the same.
 
But when you put shoes on, you are shod, are you not?
My car is 'well shod' when it has new tyres on.
They're just words....

But when I take them off I am not shoeless or unshod, I am barefoot, or in my stockinged feet.

The term "shoeless" implies that shoeing is the natural order of things and that being without shoes is a temporary state of affairs. For barefooters, the reverse is true.

I don't care if other people want to call their horses shoeless but I am baffled that they have so much of a problem with me calling mine barefoot.

In the original True Grit the heroine says "you'd better put some shoes on it, I ain't riding no barefoot pony. It's not new!
 
Have you read the replies on here? Because a fair proportion of those saying barefoot mention aged, youngsters etc.
And you do trot out that one photo regularly - I could just as easily trot out photos of shod horses doing exactly the same.

What's your point? It isn't special for a horse to jump or hunt with shoes on. I keep posting that picture because people keep telling me it can't be done and I do it (admittedly not over hedges that big!) with one horse after another.

Have you read the number of responses saying things like "endurance horse"?


ps I am very proud of that horse and that photo, but if you want to see pictures of nine other horses of all shapes and sizes jumping substantial obstacles with no shoes on then please let me know and I'll show you more, starting with this one - check out the stone landing.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IaGqwoQlnmA/SKsocTYAR_I/AAAAAAAAAVA/4v352TzUOb8/s1600-h/george080110-3.jpg

or this one BE affiliated Novice, horse jumped clear time after time.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IO2w1qcWIwo/TfYrPl8UWvI/AAAAAAAAAsk/Q__lUdp5Uj8/s1600/Scooby+Jump.jpg
 
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My cob does TREC and plays horseball unshod and I've shown, dressaged and jumped my highland unshod. The highland is schooled and hacked every day without needing shoes. I wouldn't claim that was full work, but it's more work than with a veteran or youngster.

I would imagine people competing in fields likely to need studs might arguably claim that shoeing is a necessity (having never competed at such a level, I couldn't comment). But that's not necessarily the same thing as full or reasonable levels of work, is it?
 
@ cptrayes - my point is you continually bang on (and on and on and on ) about how clever 'you' are with your horses.

Do you really think you are some kind of genius, and the rest of the world who compete at top level know nothing, and are waiting for whatever light bulb knowledge you claim to have to hit them?

Your regimes to keep your horses sound without shoes are very restrictive, and quite pointless, IMO, except to prove the point that you can do it. You have said to other people if they are not prepared to keep their horses in a certain manner then barefoot is not for them.

I don't like your regimes, I wouldn't do that to my horses.
 
must be a child with spelling like that :rolleyes:

absolute and utter TOSH!:eek:

my mare was NEVER shod till 6 as her feet hard and healthy ( till her lami )

my gelding 10 years as all but 6 weeks never been shod he wears old macs hacking . NEVER had shoes on behind

Horses were born without shoes! They cross rugged terrain in America and other countries perfectly happy . Its only us humans who put circular metal shoes on.

My pony goes out ride and lead once a week BAREFOOT she has brilliant feet . Shoes can help some horses , but shoes can hinder horses feet too period!!!!

If your horses feet are hard- in good condition - get reg farrier / barefoot trimmer carting for them what the hell is the problem???:confused:

One more thing the term Barefoot are we not barefoot when we take our boots / shoes off:confused:

I don't mind the word bare as in naked foot as ion hoof I see no probs its better than the french word * pieds nus *
or spanish word *con los pies desnudos

i like the czech word for barefoot * Bosý * lol:D:rolleyes:

FPMSL - talk about the pot calling the kettle black! As for your attempts at punctuation ROFLMAO:eek:
 
@ cptrayes - my point is you continually bang on (and on and on and on ) about how clever 'you' are with your horses.

Do you really think you are some kind of genius, and the rest of the world who compete at top level know nothing, and are waiting for whatever light bulb knowledge you claim to have to hit them?

Your regimes to keep your horses sound without shoes are very restrictive, and quite pointless, IMO, except to prove the point that you can do it. You have said to other people if they are not prepared to keep their horses in a certain manner then barefoot is not for them.

I don't like your regimes, I wouldn't do that to my horses.

NO Changes, you know full well that in previous arguments with you I have stated that I am NOT clever, what I do is NOT clever and that's what makes it even more ridiculous when people insist that horses in hard work need shoes.

You do not know my regime and yet you say it is restrictive. So I will tell you. I have three horses in work. In the winter they are out from 9.30 to 7pm except for when I am riding. Overnight they live together in a fully bedded barn 90 feet by 36 feet with ad lib haylage. They are fed additional pony cubes as required to maintain their weight. In summer they are in that barn between around 10am and 6pm which they find a welcome relief from the flies and lie down and sleep.

Restrictive? I don't think so. "I wouldn't do that to my horses" - well more fool you then.

I do agree with you, if a person cannot keep their horse from being footie because of the way they are forced to keep them (in a stable with too little movement, or in mud all winter, for examples) then they should shoe. And now you criticise me for that too?



ps if you do not like my continuing to point out that what other people say can't be done can indeed be done, (or as you call it "banging on") please please PLEASE use the ignore button so that you never have to read what I write ever again. Other people are interested, and while that is the case I will not be stopping writing, however much you would like me to.
 
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My cob does TREC and plays horseball unshod

I would imagine people competing in fields likely to need studs might arguably claim that shoeing is a necessity

Yes well I think I can understand why people think you'd need studs and actually I worried when I did a few ht's but we were ok. I can't explain how but we slipped much less than we used to... came 3rd so wasn't too bad. Haven't got pics from photographers yet so can't show but will!

I can confidently say he is a barefoot performance horse. (I'm entitled to my view on this as you are on 'unshod' so lets just be friends)

He can even drive barefoot :)

photo0109-1.jpg
 
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What IS the matter with Changes??

ps if you do not like my continuing to point out that what other people say can't be done can indeed be done, please please PLEASE use the ignore button so that you never have to read what I write ever again. Other people are interested, and while that is the case I will not be stopping writing, however much you would like me to.

Exactly... :)
 
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NO Changes, you know full well that in previous arguments with you I have stated that I am NOT clever, what I do is NOT clever and that's what makes it even more ridiculous when people insist that horses in hard work need shoes.

You do not know my regime and yet you say it is restrictive. So I will tell you. I have three horses in work. In the winter they are out from 9.30 to 7pm except for when I am riding. Overnight they live together in a fully bedded barn 90 feet by 36 feet with ad lib haylage. They are fed additional pony cubes as required to maintain their weight. In summer they are in that barn between around 10am and 6pm which they find a welcome relief from the flies and lie down and sleep.

Restrictive? I don't think so. "I wouldn't do that to my horses" - well more fool you then.

I do agree with you, if a person cannot keep their horse from being footie because of the way they are forced to keep them (in a stable with too little movement, or in mud all winter, for examples) then they should shoe. And now you criticise me for that too?



ps if you do not like my continuing to point out that what other people say can't be done can indeed be done, (or as you call it "banging on") please please PLEASE use the ignore button so that you never have to read what I write ever again. Other people are interested, and while that is the case I will not be stopping writing, however much you would like me to.

Can I point out that you initially quoted me and were adamant that my suggestion simply for a change to the poll, nothing more, was unnecessary?
As below -
Quote:
Originally Posted by Changes View Post
I think the poll would be far more relevant if it had specified horses in full work, ( a couple of gentle hacks a week would be an unlikely scenario to need shoes, IMO) as presumably that's the area where the opinions differ? I don't know many shod field ornaments, youngstock, aged ponies or pets.

I don't think so! I think most of the posters on here have horses in full work without shoes, like mine. It is a complete myth that fully working horses need shoes. Except in cases of metabolic disease preventing the horse from growing strong feet, it is, in the experience of a huge number of owners of barefoot horses, the owner/horse/livery/exercise/feed combination that causes a horse to need shoes to do this kind of work (and all the roadwork to fitten it and keep it fit):

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EuL6xpZs-q...adar+hedge.jpg

So yes, off you went banging on again. That may be your current regime, but it wasn't when the grass was richer.

Can I suggest you take your own advice and use the ignore button, as you began this particular confrontation. :rolleyes:
 
Unshod = shoes taken off, bottom of foot levelled off by a farrier

Barefoot = no shoes, minimal and non-invasive trim which maintains the natural shape of a horse's foot, retaining callus, frog and quarter scoop (as it develops).

Is this the kind of distinction everyone is referring to? :rolleyes:

For me, nope. Unshod is my term of preference to describe my horses who are not shod. I use a farrier who trims my horses to keep them sound enough to be in full work doing everything my shod horses do.
Barefoot was always used to describe horses who were not shod but has more recently now become associated with the Barefoot movement. Thats why I choose to avoid the term. Personal choice.

Interesting question. Here in the US the 'barefoot/natural movement' is becoming more and more popular. So much so that local farriers are getting anxious and defensive .... very weird to see it happening.

I don't think farriers are running scared here yet. Its still hard in some areas to get taken on by the farrier of your choice.
Incidently, I was surprised a couple of weeks ago to learn that no one on my yard had ever heard of Barefoot trimmers. On my previous yard, 18 months ago, out of 60 + horses , only two (Parelli) owners used a barefoot trimmer. Neither owner actually rode their horse.
 
What IS the matter with Changes??


I disagree with cptrayes, Tallyho. That seems to be a problem for you?

I could return that and ask what the matter is with you? You seem to leap to jump on me everytime I engage with cptryes about barefoot, without you actually doing more than being snipey.

At least cptrayes is arguing a case.
 
Can I point out that you initially quoted me and were adamant that my suggestion simply for a change to the poll, nothing more, was unnecessary?
As below -


So yes, off you went banging on again. That may be your current regime, but it wasn't when the grass was richer.

Can I suggest you take your own advice and use the ignore button, as you began this particular confrontation. :rolleyes:

It has been my regime for the last six years, ever since my horses went barefoot.

The only exception to that is a metabolically challenged rehab horse who cannot tolerate grass whether in shoes or not. He was in my care for 5 months in 2010. His options are to be restricted from eating grass or be put to sleep. Do you think he would prefer the latter?

I will not be putting you on ignore. I do not mind reading your provocative nonsense. If I read it I can correct incorrect statements that you make about horses needing shoes. You also write it partly to get a response from me and on a windy wet winter evening, I am happy to oblige you :)
 
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Overnight they live together in a fully bedded barn 90 feet by 36 feet with ad lib haylage.

I wish that I had a barn like that available if I ever needed it, as my TB hates being stabled, but I think that she would cope with being in a bigger space with her friends much better.
 
I wish that I had a barn like that available if I ever needed it, as my TB hates being stabled, but I think that she would cope with being in a bigger space with her friends much better.


I took a huge risk buying a house no-one else wanted, but I know that I am extremely lucky and every day I thank my parents for their genetic "legacy" and the good luck that has come my way. I hope that when you are my age (I assume you are younger than me, most people on internet forums are!) you can end up in a similar place. I fear that my generation has robbed most of you of that chance with their financial policies and resource wastage :(

ps I still LOVE your cat. If you can no longer afford to feed him please let me know :)

pps there are drawbacks. I spend a lot of time with a hot iron and carpet joining tape mending torn rugs where the boys have been "playing" overnight!
 
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ps I still LOVE your cat. If you can no longer afford to feed him please let me know

Thank you. :) He 'helped' me do the horses tonight. :p

PS, he costs ALOT to feed as he eats so much. He must transport his food to an alternative dimention because he is very slim. (He's healthy and regularly wormed.)
 
I think the term barefoot can be misleading.
It automatically makes us think of walking barefoot over stones,rocks,gritty bits with our pathectic, pink feet.
A horse without metal shoes is not the same thing.
A horse which has been shod since 2 might have feet like cheap synthetic boots and will feel the stones and gritty bits,but not anything like our pink feet would.
A horse which has never been shod might have feet like Doc Martins,but still feel the stones because the Doc Martins are alive and attached to the sensitive structures of the foot which can become inflamed through unsuitable diet or metabolic issues.
A wisely fed,working horse will have feet like........well,we humans have yet to invent a material equivalent to the horses hoof.......so the only word to decribe them is........hooves!
 
Yes well I think I can understand why people think you'd need studs and actually I worried when I did a few ht's but we were ok. I can't explain how but we slipped much less than we used to... came 3rd so wasn't too bad.

I've ht-ed the cob locally up to aboutt 90cm unshod and I've xc schooled the highland without shoes, I was thinking about the higher levels of BE where you risk more mud on the course during the day's competition etc, and sj-ing on grass, where studs could be beneficial. But that's not something I'd know about...
 
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