For years I had shoes put on my horses only to be plagued with worry over loose/pulled shoes or lameness problems that put a halt to my riding. I've also come to realize that what some people think is a healthy hoof, isn't even close.
Some of the problems I see are:
-Different hoof angles between the left & right hoof; that can lead to skeletal system problems
-Flares; can cause pain due to stretched & inflamed laminae much like founder
-Long toes & low heels; makes hoof break over very hard on the joints
-Heels too long; doesn't allow proper "passive frog pressure" upon ground impact, necessary for healthy circulation
-Filed flat (pasture trim), unlike the natural hoof trim; doesn't allow proper expansion & contraction, necessary for healthy circulation
Again, these are only a few of the problems than can exist with shoeing and/or improper trimming.
I often refer people considering the option of barefoot vs. horseshoes to many of the well written articles about the subject.
There are many other websites available to help you in your decision of whether shoeless is the way to go for you and your horse. Please contact me if you're interested in these links or have any questions check out our link for info.
Customer references available upon request.
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