25/06/2025
I have seen a number of comments on barefoot discussion pages lately, which seem to suggest that it’s ok for a horse to struggle for a while when you have the shoes pulled.
It is not ok.
As a HCP, if I think your horse will be uncomfortable in the stable/field without shoes, I will always recommend a therapy boot. Because let’s be honest, if the horse is uncomfortable, something is wrong.
Let’s assume as an example, that the soles are on the thin side because the horse has been in shoes for a while and the soles havent had the stimulation needed to maintain decent sole depth.
This is a double edged sword. Firstly, it is important to avoid unnecessary pain. Yes a set of boots might cost you. A second hand pair will cost much less, but they WILL keep your horse more comfortable whilst the hoof is adapting/strengthening.
Secondly - movement stimulates growth (eg soles). If your horse is uncomfortable, they will move much less. So by not booting a sore horse, not only are you causing unnecessary discomfort, you are hindering their transition.
Don’t get me wrong - some horses come out of shoes and stomp all over rubble like it’s nothing. Most do not. A lot of newly barefoot horses are absolutely fine in the field and in the stable, but may struggle with the stoney tracks that lead between the two. In which case, if there is nowhere for your horse to pick his way through comfortably, you’re going to need boots.
Likewise, if your newly barefoot horse is fine in the field and stable but is sensitive when hacking on coarser surfaces, wear boots for hacking! There will come a time in such cases where your horse is less sensitive on those coarser surfaces (because he is moving, his soles are stimulated and his hooves are changing), and you can hand walk on those coarser surfaces without boots. This usually progresses to riding on those surfaces without boots too - But it’s all a progressive process of slowly conditioning.
In terms of comfort - if your horse is regularly exposed to any surface that makes him uncomfortable, protect his feet when on those surfaces. Always make comfort your priority and never allow your horse to struggle through the process.
*REPOSTED FROM 2023*
