XC on an unshod horse?

[Wilbur_Force]

I am taking Will for some XC schooling for the first time next weekend. However, he is unshod and always has been. He has fab feet and horn and has always been very sound, so I am thinking that it will be OK. What could I do to protect his feet? Does anyone use SoleGuard? Any tips gratefully received. Thanks!

 

[lucym]

i have no direct experience, but i do know a friend that has a barefoot event horse, and he copes very well, evented to novice. he had dreadful foot problems when shod, so went to barefoot yard and was rehabilitated, and hasnt looked back

hope this of some help

 

[kerrylou123]

I have done hunter trails, ode's on my horse when he was unshod. He coped fine, unless at certain fences, they put a sort of hard core down then he would be a bit sticky, but apart from that, he had no problems.

 

[Wilbur_Force]

Thanks both. He has always coped really well schooling or SJ on grass so we'll go for it!

 

[Festive_Felicitations]

Ok not directly related but may be of reasurance...

Had a mare (Baby aka Cocktel) that used to follow, loose me on her mum / or her friend round the Andes on quite hard ground (still followed at the age of 4) and she would gallop up hill, down hill, over and through anything and her feet were fine even after she was broken in her feet coped with been ridden 'round the mountian' (I think they were steel)

Anyway if you know your boy has hard/ good feet and copes with all your ususal work I wouldn't worry, just beware that on long grass cornering at a fast canter he might not have as much grip as a shod horse, but you probably know all this so I will shut up.

....hope that was reassuring/ helpful =)

 

[OneInAMillion]

i have never had any problems at all with protecting his feet

 

[monkeybum13]

my ponies cope fine withouth shoes -hunting, hacking, SJ etc
My mare only has front shoes on and has never had problems doing ODEs so you will be fine
good luck

 

[kerilli]

barefoot is much better than shod without studs, as the frog contacting with the ground gives additional traction. i'd be careful if it's hard but slippery on top though, obv.

 

[star]

mine is barefoot and hunted all last season and been XC schooling several times with no probs.

 

[alwaysbroke]

[ QUOTE ]
barefoot is much better than shod without studs, as the frog contacting with the ground gives additional traction. i'd be careful if it's hard but slippery on top though, obv.

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly what our farrier says Alll of ours are unshod behind and we havent had any problems. Hope you have fun.

 

[RomanyMayday]

I event my pony at intro level and never had any problems