Valid shod/barefoot research at last.

[cptrayes]

The study is on numbers which are too small for comfortably drawing frim conclusions, and too short a time period, and limited to one breed of horses, but at least it's start. They appear to have statistically significant results in seven weeks of shod compared to barefoot. I hope that this kind of research will become a lot more common in the near future.

http://www.eurodressage.com/equestrian/2012/08/28/effect-horse-shoes-equine-hoof-shape

 

[pines of rome]

As you say its a start in the right direction, perhaps vets will start to take notice soon!

 

[Orangehorse]

Well there is loads of evidence, but few real controls and scientific study, so this is good.

 

[Nickles1973]

For various reasons I have recently changed farrier and started on the road to taking my horse out of his shoes.
The farrier I have now has the background where he trained originally in Spain which for him meant no-shoes was more the norm. Since coming here and completing his WCF training he has embraced the idea that farriery should be about what is best for the horse. He is taking his training further and is doing a degree course. For his thesis he is doing research into hoof growth and the effect shoeing and barefoot has on growth. He will also be looking at the effect diet has on hooves in general.
This is obviously not going to be world changing, he is only one farrier amongst a sea of many. (Though there are obviously others like him out there and hopefully the number will continue to grow) But his ultimate aim (other than to be the best farrier he can be) is to convice our vets of the benefits of barefoot. His theory is that when he is equally well qualified (ie has a Bsc) the vets will have to sit down and listen.
Either way I hope the tide will continue to turn and more consideration will be made to what the horse's hooves need, not what we their owners want.

 

[Lancelot]

more consideration will be made to what the horse's hooves need, not what we their owners want.

I recall my old farrier telling me he was off to shoe a cob that didn't really need it, that he would take the shoes off, tidy up and put the same shoes back on. Confused I asked why he was shoeing it if it didn't need it?! He said cos thats what the owners want...

 

[Mizzbecx]

I'm a big voter of the barefoot but that's just me all mine manage fine without shoes and are regularly trimmed by a farrier trained in barefoot trimming. He says that our farms conditions (either soaking/muddy or bone dry) suit barefoot over shoes. Only my opinion though

 

[Pale Rider]

I read this the other night, not very impressed by it, but, it is s start I suppose.

 

[matt_m]

Very inconclusive 'study' (if you can call it that) and doesn't really point any pros or cons in either direction. I could not come away from reading this feeling more convinced about barefoot over shoeing or vice versa. A little disappointing, but I suppose at least it demonstrates that there are people wanting to look into this further....

 

[FfionWinnie]

Don't think I saw a shod horse or pony til I was 15.

Everything was unshod where I rode as a kid all over the UK and abroad.

Funny it's now called barefoot to sound more fashionable but whatever you call it, it's nothing new.

Neither of my ponies are shod and I hope to keep them that way as its cheaper, they cut the ground up less, they (so far) do not need shoes, unshod means they don't lose a shoe at an irritating time . I haven't given them any fancy food or supplements, my 13.2 mare is 7 and never been shod. I hack her on the roads and forest tracks for about 8-10 hours a week.

 

[Pale Rider]

y | 12:35 PM

FfionWinnie

Don't think I saw a shod horse or pony til I was 15.

Everything was unshod where I rode as a kid all over the UK and abroad.

Funny it's now called barefoot to sound more fashionable but whatever you call it, it's nothing new.

Neither of my ponies are shod and I hope to keep them that way as its cheaper, they cut the ground up less, they (so far) do not need shoes, unshod means they don't lose a shoe at an irritating time . I haven't given them any fancy food or supplements, my 13.2 mare is 7 and never been shod. I hack her on the roads and forest tracks for about 8-10 hours a week.

I don't think it's called barefoot to be fashionable, lol, just that it has to be called something.

It is certainly nothing new, older in fact than shoeing.

 

[Waffles]

I've had it pointed out to me on here that there is a difference between being unshod and being barefoot. "Ah, I see"..

 

[cptrayes]

I've had it pointed out to me on here that there is a difference between being unshod and being barefoot. "Ah, I see"..

NO difference, an unshod horse and a barefoot horse should be treated exactly the same way. It's just a word, though one does seem to imply that the horse is only temporarily out of shoes and the other permanently.

 

[cptrayes]

Very inconclusive 'study' (if you can call it that) and doesn't really point any pros or cons in either direction. I could not come away from reading this feeling more convinced about barefoot over shoeing or vice versa. A little disappointing, but I suppose at least it demonstrates that there are people wanting to look into this further....

The shocking thing is Matt, that this is better scientific evidence than I have managed to find, and than I believe exists, for shoeing or for remedial shoeing as a treatment for disease.

 

[em_123]

I am neither for or against shoeing or barefoot.

I just deal with the horse as I find it. I have one with shoes and all the others on the yard are barefoot.

I don't intend on shoeing my girl or my stepmum's pony that I have here unless they ever show any signs they cannot deal with the workload, and even then I would probably consider buying them some boots instead first.

Jasper however hasn't ever managed to go barefoot as he has always given us the impression he is about to die when he has lost a shoe lol!

Although this year I am hopefully going to try him over the winter without his backs and see how we get on as I would much prefer them all barefoot.

Mainly for cost though lol! If they don't need shoeing don't bother, if they do then get shoes on them. There's no right or wrong in this.

 

[Dizzle]

The shocking thing is Matt, that this is better scientific evidence than I have managed to find, and than I believe exists, for shoeing or for remedial shoeing as a treatment for disease.

I don't understand the article, am I being a big thickie?!

My new pony is only shod in front, I'm debating taking them off but I'm not sure, I had my tb barefoot for a while and that was a nightmare, had him shod for a while and that too had its own problems (barefoot he napped even in boots and he used to plant coming in from the field as it was a stony track, in shoes he regularly trod on himself and damaged the hoof wall!)

My concern with taking all her shoes off is that we have to ride down a steep muddy track and barefoot this is slippy.

 

[Goldenstar]

Well it's something but it just what we all know shoeing decreases horn growth and that the angle of the foot increases when shod unless you have a very very good farrier.
One of mine is going back into shoes I am using a new farrier recommended by my trimmer I just hope he's good the horse a hunter is just not able to maintain the level of work needed BF he needs to do his job so it's back to shoes for him until March.

 

[cptrayes]

I don't understand the article, am I being a big thickie?!
.

No, it's written in research-speak

It says that when shod, the size of the horses feet at the coronet band reduced and the angle of the foot changed away from the ideal of a straight line between the pastern and the hoof. The second would be pretty obvious because the foot grows with the shoe on, but it was a bit of a shock to read that the foot could contract at the coronet band in just 7 weeks

 

[Goldenstar]

You know one day there will be a 'movement ' called intelligent shoeing or something like that that develops shoes better suited to maintaining good hoof health and balance .

 

[cptrayes]

I am neither for or against shoeing or barefoot.

I just deal with the horse as I find it. I have one with shoes and all the others on the yard are barefoot.

I don't intend on shoeing my girl or my stepmum's pony that I have here unless they ever show any signs they cannot deal with the workload, and even then I would probably consider buying them some boots instead first.

Jasper however hasn't ever managed to go barefoot as he has always given us the impression he is about to die when he has lost a shoe lol!

Although this year I am hopefully going to try him over the winter without his backs and see how we get on as I would much prefer them all barefoot.

Mainly for cost though lol! If they don't need shoeing don't bother, if they do then get shoes on them.

First can I say that you are entitled to post anything that you want wherever you want on this forum and I am not trying to stop you.

But it would be a shame if this thread goes back into the old old old arguments of which horses can and cannot got barefoot, so other people pretty please can we keep this on topic, which is this research?

There's no right or wrong in this.

Yes there is.

If this research is repeated with the same result in bigger studies over a longer time in multiple breeds with horses in work, then it will be the first time that it has ever been scientfically proved that shoeing horses changes their feet in two ways which are both beleived to be detrimental to the integrity of the foot - angle and contraction.

In the end it would probably lead to very strong recommendations that horses should preferably not be shod at all, and that those which must be shod have a period out of shoes each year to allow the feet to recover. You might even see insurance companies beginning to insist on it.

I'm sure this study is going to be the first of many, and I will be on tenterhooks to see the results of the research that Nickles farrier is going to do.

 

[Goldenstar]

I really don't think there's any doult that a period out of shoes every year is vital to keeping the feet healthly and the foot balance as good as is possible.
I have one BF it will be a year in October doing great , one BF since mid march has been difficult but he's worked lightly all summer has established good heel first landing in front his heels look stronger and his digital cushion has definatly developed however he is a horse who suffered a serious bout of ill health about two years ago he had a lot of steriods , he has flat soles which have not developed the concavity I hoped for I think that's why hes not coping with increased work his hind heels are contracted he has a lot of scarring in his hind heels and his hind feet struggle too , I am sad to give up but he has a job to do and he needs the tools to it I will start again mid march and see how we get on next year.
I have a TB too BF since April theres huge change in foot angle growing down .
I have no doult coming out of shoes apart from really necessary is the best way
I see the differences in my own horses everyday I have an other whose BF journey will start tomorrow I know I am doing the best thing for his long term health ans soundness .
This research is a start I am not surprised it not from the UK the strangle hold enshrined in law that the WCF has will not make it easy here.

 

[cptrayes]

I recall my old farrier telling me he was off to shoe a cob that didn't really need it, that he would take the shoes off, tidy up and put the same shoes back on. Confused I asked why he was shoeing it if it didn't need it?! He said cos thats what the owners want...

Can you imagine uch an unethical decision ever being taken by a doctor?

Doctor I want this treatment. If may cause me diffculties which can in a small number of people even cause death, and it will do me no good at all and I don't need it, but I'll pay you £80 to give me it?

Doc :: OK, gimme the cash.


It's behaviour like that which brings the whole farriery profession into disrepute for me. If he knows the horse does not need shoes, he should refuse to shoe it.