The Argument for the Barefoot Horse

Speak to a number of horse owners and you are bound to get a number of different views on whether or not  a horse should be shod.  Horseshoes have been in use for centuries, but is it really the best thing for your horse?  These days you will find a great deal of experienced professionals willing to give your horse a “natural” hoof trim, that is, one similar to the hoof that a wild horse will have.

One of the reasons that horse owners and farriers argue for leaving a horse barefoot is for the uneven wear that riding shod can effect on a horse’s hooves.  Barefoot horses who have been trimmed by a skilled farrier will likely suffer less overgrowth and cracking not to mention other hoof maladies.

Horseshoes have been around a long time, but are they necessary?

The goal of a farrier giving a barefoot trim, especially to a horse that has been shod most of its life, is to trim the hoof such that it mimics the hoof one might see on a wild horse.  As wild horses have succeeded in maintaining hoof health on their own throughout history, it is argued that a domestic horse should be able to maintain this same level of health.  Clearly the wild horse has an ability to maintain its hooves and the wear pattern one might see on a wild horse must therefore be a beneficial and sustainable one.

Some dissenters who argue that a horse should be shod argue that the terrain on which wild horses roam is of a much different composition than that of many domestic horses.  Some horse owners have noticed that their barefoot horses suffer when walking on gravel or other rough surfaces.  This may simply be due to poor trimming or it could genuinely be a circumstance in which a horse should be shod.

Even on surfaces that are difficult for a horse, a horse owner can purchase horse boots.  These boots fit over the hooves of a horse and will protect the horse as a horseshoe might on terrain a horse finds difficult, all without having to have the horse shod.

In the end it is up to each individual horse owner to examine the terrain a horse will be travelling and their own desires for the horse.  If in doubt, discussing the issue with an experienced farrier or equine veterinarian may help you make a decision that is best for you and your horse.