10/25/2026
Truth 🙌🏻
A Little Education on Barefoot Horses, Sore Feet, and the Responsibilities of Adoption
Since this has now happened twice, I feel it's time to address it publicly and hopefully provide some much-needed education.
When a horse has worn shoes for several years, particularly behind, removing those shoes can require a period of adjustment.
Think of it this way: imagine spending years wearing shoes and then suddenly being asked to run barefoot across gravel. Now imagine doing that repeatedly for several hours.
Your feet would likely be incredibly sore. You might also experience discomfort in your muscles, tendons, and ligaments from moving differently to compensate for that soreness.
Horses are no different.
A horse transitioning out of shoes can become footsore, particularly if turned out on hard ground and allowed to run excessively. And yes, even grass-covered ground can be surprisingly hard.
In some cases, by the following morning, the horse may be reluctant to move, visibly uncomfortable, and may even develop some lower-limb filling.
That does not automatically mean someone sold or adopted out a lame horse.
And it certainly does not mean the first explanation should be tying up, Lyme disease, neurological disease, or a vitamin deficiency.
Sometimes the simplest explanation is exactly what is in front of you: a horse with sore feet.
We encounter this occasionally on our own farm. When appropriate, and under veterinary guidance, we manage the discomfort with supportive care, which may include wrapping the legs, anti-inflammatory medication such as bute, and packing the feet with Magic Cushion.
Once the initial soreness has resolved, options may include Venice turpentine, protective hoof boots, or putting shoes back on if necessary.
Transitioning a horse from shoes to barefoot is a process, not an overnight event.
Now, here's where my frustration comes in.
Out of more than 100 adoptions over the past year, we have had two situations involving horses that became sore after arriving at their new homes.
In both cases, shippers and other individuals confirmed that the horses arrived sound. The problems developed after their first day of turnout, during which they reportedly did a considerable amount of running or pacing.
Unfortunately, in both situations, accusations began flying.
In the first case, the adopter was understandably distressed to see her horse uncomfortable and immediately contacted her veterinarian. Her veterinarian determined that the horse's discomfort was related to his newly barefoot hind feet.
While I did not appreciate the tone or accusations directed toward me, I absolutely respected her commitment to getting veterinary attention for her horse.
That is what responsible ownership looks like.
The more recent situation, however, was very different.
Despite expressing significant concern about the horse's condition, the adopter refused to contact her veterinarian.
Let me be very clear.
If your horse is lame and you are genuinely concerned about its welfare, CALL YOUR VET.
That is not an unreasonable expectation. It is a basic responsibility of horse ownership.
If a horse arrived at your farm and began colicking, would you also refuse to call a veterinarian?
When this adopter refused to seek veterinary attention or take appropriate steps to address the horse's discomfort, I left 60 volunteers working on our farm and, together with Amy, made an eight-hour round trip to retrieve our horse.
Upon arrival, he had pronounced digital pulses in both hind feet, consistent with our suspicion that his feet were painful.
We administered Banamine and brought him home.
Within 48 hours, following three doses of bute and the application of Magic Cushion hoof packing, he was sound again.
He has also since been evaluated by a veterinarian.
The horse was not sent out lame. He became sore after arrival, and his discomfort was addressed.
There is a very important distinction.
I am available to answer questions, provide guidance, and support our adopters around the clock. I take that responsibility seriously, and I care deeply about every horse that leaves our farm.
But I cannot replace your veterinarian, nor should I be expected to.
If you are going to adopt a horse and are unwilling to seek veterinary care when the animal is clearly uncomfortable, please do not submit an application.
Adoption comes with responsibility. These are living, breathing animals, not machines, and sometimes situations arise that require common sense, appropriate management, and professional veterinary care.
And while we're on the subject of common sense, let me introduce another concept:
Occam's Razor.
The principle suggests that when several explanations are possible, the one requiring the fewest assumptions is generally the best place to start.
In horses, that means considering the obvious before jumping to the extraordinary.
If a horse suddenly becomes lame, start by examining the feet and considering the circumstances.
Could it be an abscess? Thin soles? Negative plantar angles? Bruising? A recent change in shoeing? Or, heaven forbid, simply a horse with sore feet after running around on hard ground barefoot?
Of course, not every lameness originates in the feet, and serious conditions must be ruled out by a veterinarian. But a logical evaluation starts with the history, clinical signs, and most likely explanations—not an immediate assumption that the horse has some obscure systemic disorder requiring an extensive panel of blood tests.
A little knowledge, a little common sense, and a willingness to call your veterinarian can go a very long way.
We stand behind our horses. We stand behind our adoption program. And we will continue to do what is right for the animals entrusted to our care.
What we will not do is accept unfounded accusations in place of responsible horse ownership.
The welfare of the horse must always come first. Not egos. Not assumptions. Not blame.
Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.
