taking shoes off in winter

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Jericho

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I have just realised that I have ridden my horse just 4 times since she was shod six weeks ago and looking to the weeks ahead this trend is likely to continue for at least another six weeks. She is due to be shod this week and I am thinking that I might ask the farrier to take her shoes off for the winter probably 2 - 3 shoe cycles. Are there any drawbacks to taking shoes off for short periods?

She is only shod on front anyway and I did try to go barefoot with her for about 6 months about a year ago but because her work load is light she never really felt comfortable to ride on stony ground (I did all the proper research and management but she was always quite ouchy). I have hoof boots that I can use with her if we do go out.
 
My Welshie has been barefoot last 2 winters-We re in the NW of England & had heavy snow last 2 yrs-if he s barefoot I can ride in soft snow/turnout without feet balling.Never come to any harm & not footsore but he has got good feet(touch wood)xx
 
I think it's a very good idea.

Most farriers would agree that horses benefit from a break from shoeing. It always used to be the way, years ago.
 
Just be aware that her hooves may soften up due to wet ground. My boy had been barefoot for several years now but I am actually considering getting his fronts put back on (even though he is retired and not in work except walking out in hand a couple of times a month) as his front feet go very soft and he gets quite 'footy' in the wet ground.

No reason not to try just go with what your horse tells you.
 
OFG said:
Just be aware that her hooves may soften up due to wet ground. My boy had been barefoot for several years now but I am actually considering getting his fronts put back on (even though he is retired and not in work except walking out in hand a couple of times a month) as his front feet go very soft and he gets quite 'footy' in the wet ground.

No reason not to try just go with what your horse tells you.
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I must admit that I don't think the wet ground should cause you problems, so long as everything else is all well. Ours are in sopping wet fields atm (the rain we have wanted all year has come all at once!) and no probs at all. Diet and exercise sorted, no thrush etc, and rock hard hooves that barely wear!

There is no harm in hooves wearing - so long as work over anything abrasive (mud is also abrasive) is built up steadily, then the horse will grow the hooves it needs.
 
It used to be done thing for horses wintering out/summering out.

I agree with ThePony, mine are wintering out no shoes - no probs. But then again he summered, dressaged, xc'd, hacked with no shoes too.
 
Its a good idea works for alot of people, if he/she hasnt had shoes off for a long time he/she may be footsie, and watch out for them getting any chips or cracks as they wont be as strong as a horse thats never shod.
 
If you can't give it normal work then I'd think it a great idea. At least then if the weather turns bad you won't feel guilty for not exercising as long as she has decent turnout each day. Don't forget to cut back on the feed if she's doing no work but make sure she has as near ad-lib forage as possible.
 
Mine had his shoes off in September (he was only shod in front) as I don't have the time to ride often now. I did get hoof boots for when we hack out, which he is fine in. A break from shoes is good for them.
 
We've had our shire x's taken off this winter. We won't be riding him till march time (did have a little sit on him in field yest) and farriers felt he'd cope fine with a break and said it would do him good xx
 
I also take my horses shoes off in December and put them back on in February. It gives his feet a break, and then I don't beat myself up in not getting the time to ride due to work and Xmas. Go for it!
 
Am hoping to get my horse's shoes off for a few weeks in the new year. He's going to do a few days hunting this season (have an 8 day package) and I want to then give him a holiday while the ground is still soft, so I can take his shoes off. I'm not too concerned about the backs but I am a bit dubious as to how he'll cope without fronts, if I go ahead with it. Hopefully he will be OK as I'd like him to stay out 24/7 so no walking up and down a stony track, and he won't need to work. Need to have a good chat with farrier about it all!
 
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