Frequently asked questions and statements
These are some of the questions I am frequently asked. If you do not find the answer to a question you have please contact me.
Will my horse have to go through a period of lameness before he is sound barefoot?
When the shoes are removed your horse may be more sensitive to the ground and may walk differently than before. This is because he is feeling pressure on structures that have previously not been in contact with the ground and may also be weakened or atrophied. He is feeling his way and his sense of proprioception is being flooded with new information, this indication of 'footiness' should not be confused with pain or lameness. If your horse has weak structures he may be sensitive over varied terrain until health is restored in his hooves. The key is to gradually expose you horse to more challenging terrains whilst minimising the risk of trauma through pin-point pressure. A DAEP will be able to advise you on how to maintain a sound and healthy horse as you take him from shod to shoeless.
How long will it take to rehabilitate my horses feet after removing his shoes?
Shoes off and ready to start rehabilitation
The answer is it 'depends'. It depends on the genetic 'foot print' that your horse has, the level of damage / deterioration caused by shoeing, the environment your horse is kept in, the nutritional and conditioning regimes and your commitment as an owner. If you are prepared to put in the hard work that may be needed to help your horses hooves rehabilitate you will see results more quickly. Removing the shoes is a long term investment, not a short term 'quick-fix'. While the hoof is balanced to 4 dimensions with the trim it is the 5th dimension of time that is vastly important in rehabilitation the hooves.
Shoeing my horse is expensive. Is Barefoot cheaper?
At the beginning of the rehabilitation process you may well require more frequent visits and you may also need to purchase additional items to help with the transition i.e. Hoof boots, therapeutic pads and topicals' to treat foot infections. This may seem costly but you are investing in the long-term health of your horse’s hooves. Once your horse has been rehabilitated the visits may be less frequent and therefore the cost will reduce.
How often will my horses feet need trimming?
Every horse is different but in the early stages of the transition, visits will normally be every 4 weeks as both balance and the new pattern of growth is established. Once achieved, this can normally be gradually extended to 6 weeks. However, this will depend on the 'growth to wear' ratio of your horses feet. This will, in turn, be dictated by the genetics of the foot and the discipline / level of work your horse is in.
Are white hooves weaker than black hooves?
12 weeks after shoe removal
No. Colour has no bearing on how strong or healthy a horse’s feet are. Genetics and proper hoof care will determine how good your horse’s feet can be.
My horse's hooves are too bad to go shoeless aren't they?
The hoof above just 12 weeks earlier
In the majority of cases, these are actually the horses who can most benefit from going shoeless. If the feet are
damaged / weakened to such an extent, they will only deteriorate further with continued shoeing. The rehabilitation may be more challenging but if the owner has the time and commitment they will be able to make a huge difference to their horse hooves. This is the same hoof as shown in the previous question
I have a Thoroughbred. He can't go shoeless can he?
Barefoot Thoroughbred hoof
Thoroughbreds are notorious for having poor hooves with thin crumbling walls and under-run and contracted heels. If you are prepared to put in the work to help him rehabilitate all the weak structures in his hooves then you will be amazed at how good those hooves can be. With a structured rehabilitation programme his hooves will de-contract, cartilages and digital cushions will strengthen, hoof walls thicken and his hooves will start to function correctly.
The Thoroughbred hoof on the right shows great improvement after just 8 weeks. All nail holes have grown out, his hoof walls are already thicker, digital cushions and cartilages are strengthening and his heels have de-contracted by 2 cm!!
The Thoroughbred hoof on the right shows great improvement after just 8 weeks. All nail holes have grown out, his hoof walls are already thicker, digital cushions and cartilages are strengthening and his heels have de-contracted by 2 cm!!
I do a lot of road work so my horse wont be able to cope barefoot. Will he?
This is a very common misconception. Road work can be very beneficial for your horse’s feet as long as the structures are healthy. Depending where your horses hooves lie on the Spectrum of Usability he may/may not be able to cope straight away. There are very few horses that wear away their hooves quicker than they grow although some do require more conditioning than others. A hoof that is correctly balanced will receive even stimulus which creates the correct pressure for correct growth. With correct conditioning your horse would grow more hoof in response to this stimulation. Even those who ride for a few hours each day on the road will not wear their feet down too quickly.
We do a lot of jumping and need studs so we can't go barefoot
The reason that studs are needed is because the metal shoe does not provide the required traction on grass or tarmac. A healthy barefoot hoof provides the most effective traction as dirt is trapped in the white line. The shape of the frog, bars and collateral grooves are also designed to trap dirt for traction. This trapped dirt will 'grip' the ground surface and provide far better balance, stability, traction and stopping power than shoes do.
