TO
SHOEor NOT TO
SHOE
42 www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com
EE
Continued...
EQUINE Health
….. a timeless debate
The age-old debate as to whether horses should be barefoot
or shod has been going on for thousands of years.
Early Asian horseman used foot booties that were made
from leather. Romans during the first century made shoe
sandals called hipposandals for their horses. In a tomb dating
back to 400 B.C., four bronze horseshoes were discovered.
Then by 100 A.D. bronze horseshoes with nail holes
were common place in Europe. Finally, by the 13th century,
horse shoes were manufactured out of iron and later “hot
shoeing” became common place in the 16th century. To
his day, no yes or no decision has been made and the
debate continues.
If an answer is definitely needed, I can only say that ……
it depends.
Horses with good hoof structure (e.g. as in a solid thick hoof
wall and sole depth with a well-shaped frog as well good
solid leg conformation) can usually go barefooted considering
normal terrain and workload. However, in some
cases, even with the most perfect hoof, it cannot be done.
Hoof development during the first three years can depend
on the proper stimulation coming from movement, exercise
and turnout. Unfortunately, in many instances, the hoof
development is not allowed to progress due to training
needs. Shoes are generally placed on performance horses
as a cautionary process thus in many instances, not allowing
the hoof to fully mature as nature intended.
The normal contraction and expansion of a barefoot hoof
aids in the flow of blood coming into and out of the hoof
area. In the young horse, the capsule and related internal
structures are very immature. There are receptors located
in the bottom of the foot that when the foot is exercised or
moved, it signals a direct development response. When a
shoe is placed on the bottom of the hoof, the receptors no
longer touch the ground, therefore no longer signal and direct
the maturation process of the hoof. Hence, the normal
maturation process is halted.
As all horses are not created equal, even though as owners
we believe our horse is perfect. The horses their feet are
more variable than we observe. If barefoot is to be considered,
other factors must be reviewed. Factors include the
breed of horse, hoof conformation (inside and out), how
the horse is housed and where it is turned out, the surfaces
on which the hoof will make contact, the type of work or
performance requirements that will be needed just to
name a few. Considerations must also include whether the
horse has ever been barefoot before.
Transitioning from shod to unshod can be a lengthy process
with no guarantees. Barefoot horses need to be trimmed
regularly and maintained accordingly. Proper trimming
assures proper alignment and that trim must be done by
a knowledgeable farrier. “Taking a little bit off around the
edges” by a nonprofessional is a recipe for disaster.
Domesticated horses do not graze and forage over great
distances such as the wild horses used to and still do.
Domesticated horses live on perfect pastures, soft arena
footing, deep stall bedding, walk on roadways, get routine
baths and generally have a “cushy” lifestyle. Their feet
become less resilient.
Genetics plays a part in the overall outcome. The old timers
used to say no feet… no horse. But when we select the
mare and stallion, little priority is given to the foot quality. It
is generally the overall conformation, disposition and athletic
ability none of which means anything without a good
hoof foundation.
It is also generally thought that horses can pull more
weight, run faster, jump higher and maintain a better gait
if they are correctly shod. This is generally true. Therefore,
certain considerations should be made in making the shoe
decision and not just “because”.
HOOF STRUCTURE/DEVELOPMENT
WHY SHOES MAY BE NEEDED
ALL HORSES ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL
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