Would you be put off?

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Buying a 5 year old that has never been shod? I am thinking about selling Alf, he has started ridden work and has been hacked is happy alone and in company in walk, trot and canter, so is a nice blank canvas for someone to bring on and make their own.

Random conversation brought up the fact that some people may think I was hiding something if he isn't shod!! He's not shod as he simply doesn't need it - just a tidy up and balance every 6 -8 weeks suits him just fine! He hacks happily on all terrain, including the horrible flints on some of our hacking tracks, why would I put shoes on tough little feet like his?!

I really do not want to shoe him just as a selling point when he really doesn't need it. Plus if he doesn't sell I'm stuck with getting him back to being unshod or forking out for needless shoes!! Thoughts?!
 
No, it wouldn't put me off.

Infact I would think its great that his feet are that good he doesn't actually need shoes.

Thats just me personally. (Would love a horse that I just had trimmed every 6-8 weeks!!!)
 
On the contrary, for me seeing a horse advertised as unshod because its feet are healthy without would be a plus! I don't understand why anyone would have a problem. Or am I missing something? :confused:
 
The best thing about random conversations is you can definitely ignore the total rubbish people spout :D I'd be very happy if a potential new horse could cope without shoes, much better that than one that has spent months in funky remedial shoes, only for it to have normal ones put on for when the unsuspecting buyer turns up....
 
No, no problem at all.

My boy (7 yr old) has currently got shoes on in front (last year) and he had his first set on at 6 years old.
 
It would not bother me, I have bought horses with shoes on that have proved difficult to shoe, one had to be sedated for nearly a year, no idea what traumas he had gone through before he came to me.

I prefer them to be genuinely untried with shoeing and clipping than to have been badly started,I have never had a problem clipping something for the first time but have had trouble with the ones that have been clipped before.
 
I'd be a bit put off personally due to an experience I had a couple of weeks ago, having to hold a horse I'm helping to re-school as he didn't tie up. We tried to get front shoes on him at owners request, said horse aged 5. Well after a lot of getting dragged about the yard trying to trim the feet, the shoes came along. Cue rearing horse literally trying to jump on farrier, he wasn't scared in the slightest, just nasty. Sedalin made him for mad and in the end he had to be left with one shoe not secured properly until vet sedated day after, even then he tried to act up.

But that's me, I wouldn't rule it out completely but would put me off a little.
 
Glad to hear it!! The person was concerned that people would think he was bad to shoe, hence he is wearing none at all!! Valid point I guess. Come to think of it I haven't clipped him either, he was turned away last october and only came back into proper work in march - bar a couple of hacks over the xmas break, I just don't believe in clipping for cosmetic purposes only, especially when said horse lives out!

It's been a long time since I sold a horse, and I'm not worried whether something is shod or not personally, just that they will hack alone and in company, good in traffic and good to load - all of which he is, I'm not that bothered about selling him,but would like to find him a nice home so I can get closer to my dream of a proper show cob type! Alf is a total sweetie, but just too lightweight for me!!
 
Nope mine was nearly 6 and never been shod, still hasnt for that matter. Dont see why some one would want to put shoes on perfectly good feet that cope with all sorts and as some one else said earlier on never had a problem with first time clippers but had plenty with those that have been messed up before.
 
I would look at the horses feet and if they looked like they were being worked with no ill effects then I would have no concerns.

If I turned up and horse was footsore or looked like it had not had its feet tended to or had not been in work I may be more concerned,however if horse was good to pick up feet etc would not really concern me.
 
I've got an 8yo that's never been shod, wouldn't put me off at all, she has excellent feet. People are so suspicious about it though, that they've actually contacted my farrier behind my back! I would've been happy to pass on his number if they'd asked!
 
Wouldn't bother me at all!! My horse is 10yo, has only ever had fronts on and has never been clipped coz she don't need it. Why waste money if the horse is healthy and happy.
 
Definitely a plus to me! Good feet is pretty much my top thing to look for, so even if I wanted to put shoes on it in future (I don't see why I would if the horse was doing great unshod) then at least I would know the shoes were going onto good feet!

Would love a horse that was only shod in front just for the money saving bonus!
 
Honestly yes it would put me off both the shoeing and the clipping.

When I look at an ad I like to see good in traffic to box, clip shoe etc. If it doesn't I would probably not get in touch. I know what they say in ads is not always true, but I avoid ones who dont mention it at all.

If its someone I knew or knew of I might. I dont think it will stop him selling, just limit your market. Perhaps target your ads towards barefoot people.

I have had one who was bad to shoe and clip and it was a total nightmare.
 
Nope would not put me off at all - it's a big bonus! My 6 y/o Welsh used to have fronts until i found out he was a total rat bag for the farrier. Long story short the farrier couldn't get him front shoes back on one day so i decided to see how he went bare foot. He is totally happy like he is, his feet are in good condition and i feel more comfortable trotting him on the roads because he has more shock absorption :)
 
Thanks for your input. He will be aimed at the leisure/happy hacking market, so the fact he's not shod may be a bonus being cheap to keep in the current climate!
Another lovely hack under his belt tonight as well,someone will end up with a pleasant pony!!
 
Nope specifically asked if the 5yo I am thinking about buying is barefoot (tbh he should be as he isn't backed) but I would say in the main it is a good thing?
 
rockysmum said:
Honestly yes it would put me off both the shoeing and the clipping.

When I look at an ad I like to see good in traffic to box, clip shoe etc. If it doesn't I would probably not get in touch. I know what they say in ads is not always true, but I avoid ones who dont mention it at all.

If its someone I knew or knew of I might. I dont think it will stop him selling, just limit your market. Perhaps target your ads towards barefoot people.

I have had one who was bad to shoe and clip and it was a total nightmare.
Click to expand...

Wouldn't put me off although thinking about Rockysmum said you could put 'good in traffic, to box, lead, with farrier/trimmer' :)
 
I bought my girl knowing she hadnt been shod with the previous owner ever - owned her over 3 years. I thought it was good that she didnt need them and showed good health to me and also picked her feet up very well indeed on viewing her. After having her just trimmed but being bought into work (hadnt been ridden) the farrier and me deided shod was best option all around as her hooves wernt coping well with the mix of road work and sand school. She was a bit concerned at the man with the smoking thing at first,...and first hoof was a bit,...well....interesting. But she soon settled and the smoke/smell and feel didnt bother her after that. She's happy as larry now. So no, it wouldnt put me off in the slightest.
 
Yes would put me off only as its nice to have the option if ever needed. I encountered this looking last year and it wasnt ideal. A bit like clipping I have hairy monster cob and have to do it all by hand which is a pain as its terrified of clippers but as I never showed etc I have put up with it as he is so good in other ways.

Its nice not to have shoes on if you dont need them but I still like the option. All the horses we have ever owned have always had shoes on if needed without any issues at all and it saves the trauma of twitching/sedation etc which is just due to the fact they never had it done!

My farrier has seen both sides of coin barefooted and shoes and I trust him completely he told me to make sure it will take shoes if needed. I agree with him.
 
I would see it as a big plus, shoeing always masks lameness if there is any, unless its really severe.

Buying a shod horse is always a pain as it takes time to transition back to barefoot.
 
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