| Author | Message | ||
     Wendy Stromberg |
Hi, Have a look at http://www.barefoothorses.co.uk/ We are using a barefoot trimmer and "easyboots bare" for road work. Working well so far with a horse we are having to leave shoes off for some months. | ||
| Naomi Harbach |
Hi Jo, my mare was driven barefoot for a year as she had really good feet when i bought her. We rode her and drove her in HDT and we didn't have any problems until the terrain was getting too much and her foot was wearing away quicker than it would grow! I now use PG's her on which are an aluminum plate with a rubber shoe screwed on top (with impression material used between the aluminium plate and the sole of the foot). This shoe acts as a shock absorber and helps to prevent concussion which is apparent in driving horses due to the amount of trotting that is done. I have also used natural balance shoes on her on her fronts only and she seemed quite happy in them. I think as long as you have a good farrier and your horse has well balanced feet then your off to a good start. Hope this helps Naomi | ||
| Jo Allan |
my 4 year old pony has never been shod and has good horn. To some extent, I can manage him to avoid excessive wear; I feed 'Safe and Sound' with Baileys number4 to make sure he gets max vits and minerals, i will add some Farriers Formula to make sure he gets 10-15mg of biotin per day. He is now (ridden)walking out an hour a day on tarmac, and if he needs shoeing i will ask Jim Ferrie(farrier) to use Natural Balance on front. Has anyone any experience of barefoot horses and or natural balance shoes c/f the fullered steel shoes as used for hunters and racehorses in work. |