Shoes or barefoot?

[_jess_warrior_]

Hi, the farrier says more horses feet are okay but I'm wondering if I should get just front shoes on? I will be hacking out once a week on the road. Is it worth waiting untill summer to get the shoes when I will be going out more?

 

[Hoof_Prints]

If possible leave them off, it is so much easier in the winter as you have more grip on the slippery and icy roads, and you don't get snow stilts! I doubt you'll need them for hacking out once a week, if you horse has good feet you won't nessecarily need them for the Summer either. I kept mine barefoot for years with regular hunting and hacking and they had great feet until I needed stud holes and had to shoe, and one got an abscess so needed fronts on after it was cut open. Just feed your horse a low sugar/starch diet to encourage strong hoof growth, if you search "barefoot diet" you'll be spoilt for choice on advice

 

[tallyho!]

Roads are PERFECT for barefoot! I don't know why everyone is yet to cotton on to this... if you were out hacking on rough terrain then I think fronts would be good or even boots for once a week.

I ride mine on tarmac and rough tracks and I STILL have to trim every two weeks...

 

[_jess_warrior_]

Alright thanks, I will see how next summer goes. The pony is only four and a half atm so I will see how much work we are doing!

 

[tallyho!]

Mine is four and a half too. She lives out 24/7 in a herd and luckily, in winter, they have the run of 40 acres.