Why Go Barefoot?

Removing metal horseshoes and allowing horses to go barefoot enables the hoof to perform naturally and therefore allows better circulation and movement. Understanding the hoof’s function and its vital role in the overall health of your horse is paramount.

Some people still believe that nailing a metal horseshoe to a hoof is necessary and remains the ‘norm’ for working horses, mules and donkeys. But ask most vets, farriers or horse trainers about hoof care, and the majority will freely admit that all equines can be healthier when barefoot. For example:

1.    Nailing metal horseshoes on hooves fixes the hoof and therefore stops the hoof being able to fully flex. This forces the joints above the hoof to twist and torque and arthritic changes such as ringbone may occur. 

Healthy hooves can be conditioned to handle any terrain, flexing accordingly to prevent damage to all joints in the body.

2.    Metal horseshoes inhibit normal energy and circulation patterns body-wide, forcing the heart to work harder, stagnating energy flow and causing abnormal hoof growth.

Healthy hooves pump large amounts of blood to keep themselves strong and all body systems energized.

3.    Metal horseshoes can cause concussive damage, contribute to weak growth and allow infection, heat and cold to invade the hooves.

Healthy hooves are perfectly protective, insulate against temperature extremes and prevent injury from rough terrain.

4.    Shod hooves are unable to wear themselves naturally —without normal wear, hooves can become unbalanced and also infected.

Healthy hooves exfoliate naturally so keeping the hoof free from infection and stimulating strong, new growth.  

And of course metal horseshoes prevent your horse from fully sensing the ground they are moving across and this may increase stumbling, loosing traction, and increased injuries. 

Soundness in horses has come to mean moving with animation and impulsion on unfettered feet. Your horse can appreciate normal sensation and feel comfortable around us, placing their feet accurately, with superior soundness and traction, keeping themselves and their riders safe.

So as the overall knowledge and understanding of better hoof care increases, and its function in overall health, farriery and veterinary medicine are beginning to catch up and improved equine management is starting to replace traditional practices with more natural methods.

Current hoof research focuses on maintaining natural hoof form to achieve optimum health.

Natural Hoof form includes:

• Ensuring the hoof can flex in all directions to handle the terrain
• Promoting fluid movement and circulation
• Protecting sensitive structures inside the hooves and legs
• Wearing evenly through lots of movement and therefore growing balanced, strong and healthy

These key aspects of normal hoof form are only achievable with natural hoof care, proper nutrition, movement and time.

Are you a registered farrier or trimmer? Would you like to be a part of our Urban Horse hoof boot referral / discount scheme? If so please get in touch sales@urbanhorse.com to find out more.