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Metal shoes have been used by expert horsemen for centuries, however new, modern technologies have allowed many horses to ditch metal shoes for good. Despite their widespread popularity, metal shoes increase the concussion on the sensitive internal structures of the hoof and can increase the likelihood of injury. While some horses rely on traditional shoes to stay sound, many can reap the benefits of going barefoot with good management practices and an attentive caretaker.
The Benefits of Going Barefoot
For centuries wild horses have existed without the need for shoes. For some horses, shoes are a necessity, many horses are forced to needlessly rely on traditional shoeing. Today, most horses can go barefoot after a transition period. Going barefoot boasts numerous benefits for the horse and can allow them to move better and be healthier.
The horse's hoof was designed to expand and contract as the horse walks. This allows the frog to depress, sending blood back up the horse's leg. Metal shoes don't allow this natural expansion and keep a horse's hoof in a contracted position. Over time this can lead to decreased performance, poor circulation, and deterioration of the foot. By removing shoes, your horse's hooves can function as nature intended.
Barefoot horses have:
improved quality and shape of their hoof
better circulation
less concussion
improved performance
In addition, barefoot horses will not have to have days off because of pulled shoes or hot nails.
The Importance of a Sound Hoof Management Program for Barefoot Horses
Despite the multiple benefits that come with going barefoot, owners and riders have to be more attentive to ensure their horse's feet remain healthy. Shoes can often mask underlying problems with a hoof, and serve as a bandage. Therefore, once the shoes are off you will have to ensure your horse is in optimum condition and keep their hooves healthy so they can move their best. For horse owners, this will mean having to stay on top of health complications in the foot and being committed to providing a healthy environment for barefoot hoof health.
Keep Medical Issues at Bay
All horse's hooves can suffer from a number of ailments. However, barefoot horses do not have the support of shoes and can often feel the effects of these diseases more than their shod counterparts. Barefoot horse owners will need to stay on top of disease and injury to keep their barefoot horses sound and healthy.
Preventing Disease in Barefoot Horses
Thrush, abscesses, and white line diseases can hit barefoot hooves just as hard as they hit horses with shoes. However, when your horse is propped up on metal shoes, they may not feel the full impact of these diseases, making them easier to miss in shod horses. Being able to identify and stay on top of common hoof ailments is essential in being able to keep your horse sound and happy.
The best way to prevent thrush, white line disease, and abscesses is to provide them with clean footing at all times. Clean stalls and paddocks regularly and keep them out of the mud. Pick hooves every few days to remove manure and dirt as well as check for evidence of disease or injury. Even with good management, these diseases can pop up quickly, making prompt treatment essential.
Best Hoof Treatments for Barefoot Horses
Many traditional hoof treatments rely on harsh chemicals that burn the skin and hoof to eradicate bacteria and are usually not effective. However, for horse owners looking for a gentle treatment, there are a number of effective treatments on the market today that are optimal for barefoot horses.
Best White Line Treatment- B Gone White Line
This gentle and effective treatment is applied directly to the affected area after a farrier cuts away dead tissue and is the recommended treatment to fight against white line disease.
Best Thrush Treatment- Tomorrow
This liquid treatment is actually meant to treat cows with mastitis, however, numerous horse owners have found it to be the most effective treatment against thrush. I have found that even the most stubborn of thrushes can be quickly eradicated by Tomorrow. Better yet, it is much cheaper than many products marketed for thrush.
Best Preventative Treatment- Artimud
Often before thrush or white line develop there is a small crack that allows infection to get in. Applying Artimud to your horse's frog or white line creates a barrier that prevents debris and bacteria from getting in. Plus, with ---- mud, Artimud has some antibacterial properties that can help treat white line and thrush.
Preventing Injury in Barefoot Horses
Many horses get tender-footed without shoes and can suffer from bruises and cracking without support. The sole of the hoof is a sensitive structure that is not supposed to bear weight. However, many horses do not have quality hooves that are able to take enough weight off of the sole. Even these horses can go barefoot, but care is needed to ensure they don't get hurt.
Barefoot horses can get bruised much easier than their shod counterparts. Therefore, it is important to be mindful of the footing they walk over. Gravel, rocky, or hard-packed ground can contribute to bruising.
Boots for Barefoot Horses
Even horses with poor-quality hooves can go barefoot. I ride my sensitive standardbred on rocky trails with the help of boots. They work by slipping over the horse's hoof and strapping down to prevent slipping off. With a hard sole, they give barefoot horses the protection they need to walk on less-than-ideal footing.
There are several boots on the market to choose from with different attachments. You may need to try a couple until you find the one best suitable for your horse. Today, there are even boot options for horses to get turned out in if your barefoot horse needs extra support in the paddock.
Other Considerations to Keep Barefoot Hooves Healthy
In addition to treating disease and injury, barefoot horses can benefit from several other changes to their routine and environment. If you want to keep your barefoot horses healthy and happy, be sure to take a well-rounded approach to their diet, health, and environment.
Managing Your Horse's Paddock for Hoof Health
For many horses, problems arise in the paddock and stalls. Horses spend most of their day in either a pen or paddock, making healthy footing in these areas essential for keeping horses' feet clean and strong. If you want to keep your barefoot horse sound, you will need to spend special attention to their paddock and stall.
To keep barefoot hooves healthy:
Thoroughly clean stalls every day and keep manure from building up in paddocks. Manure is full of organic material and bacteria that can soften and invade the horse's hoof wall over time. Thrush, white line disease, and abscesses can all be caused by an unsanitary paddock, so be sure to clean often.
Keep mud to a minimum. Mud in a horse paddock is likely full of organic material, manure, and disease. Mud should be considered the enemy of healthy feet. Standing in mud for an extended period of time and without escape can lead to a myriad of health problems. The moisture will slowly soften the horse's hooves over time leading to increased risk of bruises, thrush, white line disease, and abscesses. Horses can also develop scratches from wet, muddy paddocks. Muddy paddocks should be filled with gravel or sand and, if not possible, put horses in a clean stall or arena when it is wet out.
Remove rocks regularly. Barfoot horses are more likely to have trouble walking across rocky ground therefore, it is important to keep rocks out of their paddock so they have soft ground to walk over. Additionally, if the ground is frozen hard over the winter, barefoot horses may need to be turned out in hoof boots.
Trimming Barefoot Horses
Some horse owners believe that because their barefoot horses do not need to have shoes reset, they can go longer between trims, however, the opposite is true. Barefoot horses do not have the support of shoes and are therefore more likely to experience cracks and chips when their feet start growing out. In general barefoot horses should be trimmed by an experienced farrier every 4 to 6 weeks.
It is essential to pick carefully when choosing a farrier to trim a barefoot horse. Barefoot horses have to be trimmed slightly differently from horses who are having shoes put on. Not realizing this when I got my barefoot standardbred, I used two farriers that typically shoe horses. Slowly over a few months, his feet got worse and worse, with the toe growing out too much leading to tripping and the worsening of a grass crack in his toe. Now that I have a reliable barefoot trimmer, his feet have never looked better. Do your research before finding a farrier and choose one who is committed to keeping horses barefoot and continually learning about this ever-growing field.
Exercise for Barefoot Horses
In the wild, horses will travel about 10 miles each day. These horses are known to rarely suffer from common hoof ailments that trouble domesticated horses. Movement is a big factor in a horse's hoof health. Get your horse moving, especially if they spend most of their day standing around in a small paddock or stall. Regularly riding, hitting the trail, or even just taking your horse for a hand walk can greatly improve their hoof health as well as improve their cardiovascular and muscular strength.
Optimal Diet for Barefoot Horses
Believe it or not, the most important factor in keeping barefoot horses' hooves healthy is diet. Today, many horses are fed a lot of high-sugar concentrated feed. This diet leads to inflammation throughout the body and increased tenderness in the hooves. When trying to transition a horse to barefoot, feeding a well-balanced, forage-based diet will go a long way to ensure healthy, strong growth in barefoot feet and prevent disease.
Try to remove as much concentrated feed as possible from your horse's diet. Switching to a rationed balancer (appropriate for your region and forage type) and grass pellets. Horse owners can choose from a number of different forage types (including timothy, alfalfa, and teff) and forms (including chaff, pellets, and cubes). Always consult a vet or certified horse nutritionist before making rapid changes to your horse's diet.
Keeping Barefoot Horses Healthy Requires a Well-Rounded Approach
Managing the barefoot horse can be a lot to get used to, however, these changes do so much more than just make your horse's feet healthier. A forage-based diet, increased exercise, and maintained paddocks can benefit all horses. Keep your horses happier, healthier, and more comfortable by going barefoot when possible.
