Horse shoes?

Question

is it nessesary to shoe a horse?

Answer 1

No, it is not necessary to shoe your horse.  The only times you should have to shoe your horse is if it has foot problems, you ride it a lot on hard or rough ground, it has soft or tender feet (most likely horses with pink/light hooves).  I personally do not put horseshoes on my horses unless my farrier or vet tells me that it is  necessary because every time a horse steps down on its frog (part of the hoof), the frog pumps blood back up to the heart, horseshoes prevent good blood circulation throughout the horse's body.  That's way people that have horseshoes on their horse/horses all year around, year after year, their horses seem to have more problems with their heart and blood circulation.

Answer 2

my horse is 7

he's a TB

and it's crazy because he has the best feet in the world and he has never had shoes in his life

he walks and trots on gravel just fine i don't want to canter on gravel though

most tb's have the WORST feet

but he even jumps and doesn't where shoes

i dont ever want to have to put shoes on him

so no it is NOT nessesary! =)

Answer 3

It depends on the horse and the work that it's doing.

Some horses are perfectly fine barefoot for all terrain and jumping etc whereas some horses feet will split and crumble if you just put them in a pasture with no shoes ( I know as I own one of those !)

Strictly speaking if you are considering taking your horse barefoot then the best person to discuss this with is your farrier.

Answer 4

Yes and No.  

It really depends on the horse, what they are doing, what the footing is that they are being worked on, and if they have a problem with their feet.

If you have never had shoes on them, and they dont get sore, and you arent compeating or riding them hard, they should be fine.  A soft sand or dirt arena typically does not harm a barefoot horse.  However, riding on grass with out studs is very dangerous and they is a high risk of slipping not to mention straining tendons and other problems.

If your horse has soft feet, cracks, gets sore frequently, or any other hoof problems then shoes will most likely help.  The hoof takes alot of pressure and strain and if your horse has problems with their feet the shoes will only help protect it from the hard ground.  Jumping barefoot in a nicely footed arena is ok just as long as the height is low.  Remember, thats over a thousand pounds landing on that foot.  If the horse has soft feet that will most likely cause bruising over a period of time.

There are also different types of shoes you can use as well.  I usually put alloy or aluminums on my hunters since it is a lighter shoe.  The less weight on their feet the prettier they tend to move.  On my jumpers I will put steels since its a stronger more durable shoe and can take more wear and tear.  The other option is keeping them barefoot and using a boot when you need the grip.  I like the Cavallo Simple Boot.  Very easy to size, take on and off, and have a pastern wrap to give more added protection and padding should the boot rub.  They dont slip off in water either.

So really, it depends on what youre doing with your horse and what your horses feet look like and their durability that determins if he will need shoes.

Answer 5

No, horses are capable of adapting to a variety of surfaces and will do that when allowed to go barefoot so that the hooves can develop strength and resiliance as they are intended to do.  It helps if your farrier is knowledgable regarding barefoot trimming technique.  Much of the hoof physiology that I learned years ago has since been proven wrong, and yet I still hear those "facts" being shared by horse owners all of the time.  Old ideas die hard....I would bet many would be surprised at how well their horses might do barefoot after about a year of "weaning" them off of shoes.

Answer 6

No, it is not necessary.  Any good veterinarian or farrier will tell you the natural trim and bare feet are best for the horse's hoof.  But it's not always possible for all environments.  I usually just get trims and use "Old Mac" boots on the fronts for riding but I'm boarding for vacation and the place where I board prefers the horses be shod.  They have gravel and lots of rock.   Also, it depends on how much you ride and where.  Also, your horse could have problems that may need "corrective" shoeing.  Ask around, and do a search for, "natural hoof" or natural hoof trimming".

Answer 7

No.  It is much better for your horse to be barefoot.

Answer 8

I know people who ride their horses hard on the trail in the desert that don't have shoes. I don't think you need them under most circumstances. If you ride on a rocky surface a lot then maybe they would be good.

Think about it. Do wild horses wear shoes?

Having shoes is going to increase your farrier bill.

David

http://gentlenaturalhorseman.blogspot.co...

Answer 9

no its not, i have two horses welsh cobs, one is barefoot and the other now has just front shoes, how much road work are you going to do? i think you need to ask a farrier for advice, to help you decide what is best, my horse kept on falling down on the road and it got dangerous, so i had her back shoes taken off, it took a year for her feet to harden off but she dosent slip at all now.

Answer 10

no.... but they do help depending on the horse

Answer 11

it depends on what your doing. If you are working hard then you should probably put shoes on you horse. Also are you showing your horse or working on hard ground. A lot of times your horses feet will start to become too short when you are working on hard ground. Also the shape of your horses feet can make the decision for you too if your horses feet are too upright it can be a good idea to not have shoes that way they grow out. Even if you dont have shoes on your horse it is still very important to have your farrier come ever six to seven weeks to trim your horses feet and he can also help you make the decision

Answer 12

it depends. only show your horse when his feet are sensitive, deformed, or is under the pressure of intense work.

Answer 13

There are several factors.

1.  Some horses have naturally tougher feet than others.  Black hooves tend to be tougher than white but this is not always the case.

2.  The terrrain.  Of course rock is harder on hooves than soil or sand or grass but there is even differences in rock types.  One of the hardest rock on a horses hooves is the flint found in the ozarks and other regions.  Flint has a hardness of about 9.2 on the 1 to 10 scale with diamonds being a 10.0.  Another hard rock would be granite but even granite has variations.  

3.  The amount of riding.

4.  The type of riding.  Of course hard faster riding is harder on hooves than slow steady rides but not everyone realizes that their is a difference even between gaited and non gaited breeds.  Horses that running walk for instance tend to slide their back feet and thereby wear them down quicker.

Overall keep checking your horse's feet if they appear to be getting too short have someone look at them.  If the horse begins to act like it has tender feet and their feet are short then there is a good chance the horse needs shoes.  

If your horse is prone to foot problems then it may need corrective shoeing.

I ride 300 to 500 miles a year down trails and gravel roads so all my horses get their feet shod.  Even the horses with the hardest toughest feet become sore with that much riding over the terrain I go over.

Answer 14

It really depends on the horse.  My horse is barefoot and my friend's horse, who has the same workload, working on the same surface, etc., is shod.  (By the way, I event and work in a sand arena most of the time.  Since I live in CA,most of the footing is pretty hard on cross-country, yet my horse is perfectly fine barefoot.)  I would find a farrier in your area, preferably one who knows how to trim an unshod horse, and ask for their advice on your particular situation.

Answer 15

if you are riding it very lightly  on grass then you dont need shoes but if you expect to show and ride in a ring than get your horse shoed

Answer 16

it depends if the horse has or has not been use to being shoe'd..

thats what I was told when I had a horse

Answer 17

I don't shoe my horses. I ride them any where. On gravel roads and paved streets. Some of my horses, I never even have to trim their hooves. Others I have to trim on a regular basis. Studies of wild horses show that they have stronger, thicker and healthier hooves than shod horses. I disagree that white hooves aren't as strong as dark hooves. This has no basis in fact and studies have also shown this is a myth. I raise Paint horses and see no difference between white and dark hooves except in color. I am a firm believer in unshod horses.

Answer 18

i think it does honestly depend on the horse.

if they have had shoes all there life.if there show horses.barrel racers.do hard work.it depends on

what your doing with the horse.

some horses just like to be bare foot.

they sometimes will chip more often.

some owners like shoes on there horses

it makes them feel more comfortable yet others

dont like shoes.

i guess its just up to you wether or not you shoe your horse.