Why so surprised about barefoot

L

lurcherlu

Well-Known Member
Joined
23 August 2011
Messages
958
Location
Cornwall
Visit site
Ok a little rant really....
i have a three year old rising 4 who I've owned since a yearling, I backed and broke her summer 2013. She brilliant, four white feet and barefoot. When I first hacked her people would ask about shoes, I told them she didn't need them and they assumed it was because she was young andn light work. Now that she has come back into work after a month off in October , she's totally barefoot on a bf diet and I love it, rock crunching grave smashing feet. I hunted her Boxing Day and the amount of people that asked why she didnt have shoes on and told me she wouldn't last the day etc. I'm by no means experienced with barefoot horses and am not the barefoot Taliban but why do people assume that horses have to be shod. They say she won't be ale to hack much, Or do road work, when I tell them she self trims. Swear they may fall over with shock. I had a neighbour ask me to sort her horses out whilst she's away this week and she said il pay for a set f shoes, I said thanks im a 5 she laughed and said n silly the horse.When I said she doesn't wear any she said doesn't she get sore feet... OOooooooo wouldn't let mine be bf ( he hacks out 3 maybe 4 times a year ATM. ) her farrier has told her to take backs off but she likes the way it looks.....

Dont get me wrong if I fail my rosé and have to resort to shoes I will, I've had shod horses the entire time I've had horses but why are so many people stil so negative and uneducated about a barefoot horse
 
Probably because not everyone reads about horsecare on the internet. Your friend is very kind though, that was a generous offer even though it wasn't necessary.
 
Don't worry, I get exactly this with my 4 yo too :) I got her when she was 2 and for some absolutely bizarre reason she had a full set of shoes on?!? Whipped them off, stuck her in a field for a year then backed her when she was 3. Now she's been cubbing, hunting once, done fun rides and little mini xc's and loads of hacking all without shoes!
 
Because they don't see many.

My v.v. experienced (and lovely!) yard owner and landlady commented that his feet must be good to do all our hacking. They are pretty good but there are those with better ;)
 
Horses wear shoes fact! Its a long standing practice that is so deeply ingrained it is normal and therefore never questioned. Some even believe horses hooves are so delicate they can't cope without shoes, many never stop to ask why that might be the case in some horses.
 
dogatemysalad said:
Probably because not everyone reads about horsecare on the internet. Your friend is very kind though, that was a generous offer even though it wasn't necessary.
Click to expand...
True, I do look after her horses a fair but even tho just have to muck out and turn ut and bring in, do it every Xmas day so they can stay clean etc.

I love being barefoot and hope to remain this way
 
I have to confess I was one of those who always put shoes on when breaking, and from then on, no idea there was another way, and my lovely Section D objected to shoes on behind, but I just ignored her.......... woe is me...........
So much safer without shoes .... cheaper, easier, quieter, good for longevity, I could go on and on......... but apparently when I sold my horse, he would "never stand up to the work"...... this from a Big Noise in the BHS one who said to me "things have changed since your day" when I explained the diet .......... cheaper and more nutritious than "pony nuts".
This forum converted me .......... but until the BHS start to open their minds, steel rimmed feet will remain the norm.
 
Last edited:
Also feed companies and supplements need to shoe barefeet on their packaging more. Yes a shod for may look all nice and shiny, but a barefoot foot can look equally as pretty ;)
 
really interesting thread. I have been dealing with this myself as a recent convert! Never wanted a barefoot horse shoes seemed conventional, practical and I suppose just the done thing!
Fast forward one navicular diagnosis and an unhappy horse I have had my beliefs challenged.
If only we could think of a simple answer to the question why is your horse barefoot besides it's healthier, safer cheaper and makes for a happier horse!
Too many old school types to convert but come the revolution we will be the smug ones!
 
Interesting points about the BHS and feed companies. I just wonder how much influence the BHS actually has these days. There are so many new trainers and approaches gaining recognition, I know that over the last 50 years, the BHS has played a decreasing role in my choices regarding horse care and training.

Feed companies are influenced by consumer demand. We're already seeing increasing availabilty of low sugar/starch feeds and more fibre based feeding plans. It takes time for trends to turn things around but thinking is changing. Not necessarily because of the Barefoot movement but because of equine obesity and health/behavoural problems caused by over feeding.
 
Good points, the feed companies particularly. I constantly am amazed by the amount of 'new' foods available for dogs and cats as well as horses. Money drives these 'new' products of course. Think feeding straights is the only answer. At least you know what you are feeding then!
 
I don't mind being asked why I don't shoe by non-horsey people - they're always genuinely interested - but I do get exasperated by the stupid comments I get from horsey people ("oh, aren't you lucky yours don't need shoes") who really should know better.

I'm happy to have a shod vs unshod debate with someone who is genuinely interested or who has bothered to do a little bit of research but I do mind being criticised for my choice by someone who has absolutely no idea what a healthy hoof should look like. :):)
 
Last edited:
Buddy'sMum said:
but I do mind being criticised for my choice by someone who has absolutely no idea what a healthy hoof should look like.
Click to expand...

That surprises me too, but it is quite common for many owners to hand over responsibility to the farrier, instead of developing a partnership between owner and professional.
I'm even more surprised at owners who don't ever look inside their horse's mouth and have no idea if there's a discomfort in the place where the bit is shoved.
 
Buddy'sMum said:
I don't mind being asked why I don't shoe by non-horsey people - they're always genuinely interested - but I do get exasperated by the stupid comments I get from horsey people ("oh, aren't you lucky yours don't need shoes") who really should know better.

I'm happy to have a shod vs unshod debate with someone who is genuinely interested or who has bothered to do a little bit of research but I do mind being criticised for my choice by someone who has absolutely no idea what a healthy hoof should look like. :):)
Click to expand...

This haha! I just bite my tongue when people say to me - Oh aren't you going to put shoes on him? don't you think he needs shoes? Why doesn't he have shoes on!?

I'm just like no he doesn't need them. And when people say oh wish mine didn't need them, I've given up with explaining that they actually don't :D
 
tbf when I was transitioning Frank, due to lameness, most people were just really interested and being the popular soul he is please to see him back out competing again.
 
ester said:
tbf when I was transitioning Frank, due to lameness, most people were just really interested and being the popular soul he is please to see him back out competing again.
Click to expand...

One of my best horsey friends could barely hide her contempt when I was transitioning my boy (also due to lameness). Still to this day, has not acknowledged that being unshod has worked wonders for him and the rest of my lot.

So I'm having quite a giggle to myself because her horse is currently...barefoot!...because his hooves have deteriorated to the point where he can no longer keep shoes on and her farrier has walked away so she's had no option really but to leave him unshod. Her horse has, without a doubt, the most unhealthy feet I have ever seen. One decent trim so far and they look better than I've seen them look in years. :D
 
Last edited:
It's interesting isn't it, I think quite a lot of people expected me to shoe again once sorted and I would have considered it for part of the year tbh if he was younger (as there are times I wouldn't mind shoes ;) ). Funnily enough my farrier's response to this suggestion (he doesn't trim him but still shoe's my Mum's mare) was why would you bother ;) :p.
 
dogatemysalad said:
Probably because not everyone reads about horsecare on the internet.
Click to expand...

This is very true. I know for an absolute fact that if I hadn't have registered for H&H and put a thread up about my TB's hooves, she would still be fully shod by a farrier and being fed a commercial diet of molassed chaff, C&C, oil and barley rings or similar. God knows what state her hooves would be in now, I don't want to think.

Buddy'sMum said:
I'm happy to have a shod vs unshod debate with someone who is genuinely interested or who has bothered to do a little bit of research but I do mind being criticised for my choice by someone who has absolutely no idea what a healthy hoof should look like. :):)
Click to expand...

I feel exactly the same. If someone wants a fair discussion, then that is fine. But it's unbelievable the amount of people who criticise the whole barefoot concept, particularly my decision to use a trimmer and not a farrier. I wouldn't mind but it's the same people who have lame horses with collapsed heels, on limited turnout, with overreach boots on 24/7 and fed absolute crap. I honestly would say 80% of my yard wouldn't know what a true healthy hoof looks like. Darcy's are not perfect yet but at least we're going in the right direction and she is sound!

dogatemysalad said:
That surprises me too, but it is quite common for many owners to hand over responsibility to the farrier, instead of developing a partnership between owner and professional.
Click to expand...

The amount of people who do this is unnerving. I got rid of my farrier as he didn't communicate with me at all, I want to know what's going on with my horse! My trimmer is absolutely outstanding for explaining and communicating on the other hand.
 
I've found non horsey people understand barefoot easily. Some horsey people will never get it, ever, lol.

It's down to the internet to a large extent, people who become knowledgeable don't accept the bull from feed companies and those that don't get it, BHS, or not.
 
Also do you find that people who are horsey when you say your horse doesn't need shoes, just say he's lame without them etc etc, even standing for farrier without shoes he's lame, horses have had shoes for hundreds of years now for a reason. I say to them, people in third world countries don't always wear shoes, their feet are in amazing condition, they aren't obese and can walk any distance in any terrain. These people have learnt and are conditioned to this tupe of living and so can oir horses, i dont preach to people, if u want shoes on your horse thats fine by me, but dont belittle me for not having them on my horse .The people who really disbelieve that my girl will remain barefoot are also the people that said she is to thin will try to pst a recent pic in a sec , I can feel but not see her ribs, she's doesn't have a crest, and doesn't have an apple shaped bum. She is shiny for a roan, grows a short but dense coat and ATM is naked apart from really wet days when she wears a sheet, if she wear a mw or hw is top hot and itchy. If she eats the wrong diet she's footy, no foot no horse has never been truer to me than now I have a barefooter who I can see the smallest change in growth etc
 
I have two barefoot horses, and my friends keep asking when I am having them shod, and why they are not shod - usually assuming its because I'm tight and wont spend the money! I love having them barefoot, they hunt all day over any ground (inc galloping down roads and over stone!), hack for hours multiple times during the week, xc, hunter trial, showjump on any surface... It gives me peace of mind knowing that the hoof is acting as it should and absorbing shock, and also that I can see how healthy they are from their excellent feet :) I also feel verrry smug when people are complaining having lost a shoe ;) My farrier is in awe of my horse's feet and cant believe we hunt barefoot!

One of them had a very nasty DDFT tear low down, vet said she'd never be ok for full work and would certainly need bute for jumping. Since being barefoot she's never had a day's lameness and pops her 14.1hh bum over some meaty hedges out hunting- vet did a lameness work up and remarked how careful I must have been with her, left him a bit speechless when I told him she'd been jumping 3ft + and doing xc.... I'm sure it would be a different story if I'd stuck with his remedial shoeing
 
I'm only five months in, and only just back in the saddle. My horses feet seem very short already, should I be worried? I've gone from 10min in hand walks to ridden 25 mins, about 3 x a week.

I get asked, ESP by competing friends when I'm going to put his shoes back on, as if it's not going to work. I'm open, it may not work, but I'm giving it a year. He's already sound on the roads (not fully on gravel yet) and seems very happy. I find talking to engineers/science people that they get it when I talk about alignment, angles and eveness. If I talk like that to a horsey person they look at me like am I full on crazy.
 
, the more work the do the more the foot grows. Breezes feet got quite short at first but now seem to get a ad long if not ridden enough ...... She's self trimming tho, nt had a trim since may when I backed her :) farriers have looked a her feet and say to let her do what she's doing cos it works :)
 
As someone is just about to start the transition to bare foot, what are you feeding? Do you restrict your grazing etc? Just interesting in what others do..
 
See I was very pleasantly surprised and had exactly the opposite experience when I went out on the Boxing Day hunt in 2011 on my very dainty barefoot mare. I received a number of comments about how refreshing it was to see this, I expected to be frowned upon within the hunting fraternity but everyone that noticed was very positive and impressed with my little mare being bf.
 
I don't think anyone has ever commented on mine that aren't shod, not even the Warmblood. Farriers have been very positive too. The nice thing about not having shoes, is that current and previous farriers are happy to check the feet and not charge if no work is needed.
 
Yes, my farriers have all been very positive and supportive, I had one who actively encouraged it, his books were so busy that he would at the least encourage you to just have fronts! I've certainly had "the look" from some other horsey people, but mostly people in the showing world or those with waaaay more money than sense and not the knowledge, by that I don't mean stupid, I just mean they have a good knowledge of horse care, confo, breeding etc but not the type of people who enjoy researching different aspects, and learning. They are the kind of people who only ever back a horse one way, only believe in one method for all.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top