Shoeing in Front?

Nosey

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Joined
25 June 2007
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1,630
My mare has only been shod in front for almost a year now as she has been out of work whilst I was pregnant.
She is now only doing very light work..either on a surface or off road so I was thinking of keeping her like this for a bit longer to keep costs down but wondered what other peoples experience of this is? Have any of you competed 'front only'? ie dressage. Have you found any problems with the horses way of going? I wondered whether the shod feet would wear a bit differently from the unshod feet and create an imbalance..ie could it make them a bit uphill? I will obviously quiz my farrier when he next visits but wanted to sound out from a riders perspective first.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
 

TURBOBERT

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Joined
7 July 2001
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670
Location
Northern England
I noticed that at Myerscough the other day the affiliated dressage - several horses were without hind shoes - and some without shoes at all. I think it depends on whether they are working in arenas or on grass all the time.

Ive just taken the hind shoes of my chap - but he is rarely out of an areana - its definitely cheaper.... hope all will be well...
 

Flight

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13 May 2004
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385
I have two of my horses barefoot behind, I jump them and hack out on many different surfaces and both are fine. One is a tb and one is a dutch warmblood.
 

Halfstep

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4 July 2005
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6,966
Location
Oxfordshire
My dressage horse has fronts only. He hacks out and lives in the field, but also is working at Advanced Medium. No problem, in fact his hind feet are rock hard.
 

Nosey

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25 June 2007
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1,630
Thats encouraging then - Thanks Guys. Will be able to penny pinch for a bit longer then!
 
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