Q:
Hi, I have a 7 y/o Quarter Horse/Thoroughbred gelding. My trainer wants me to
take his shoes off and leave them off til' May. when spring starts to arrive I
start to run him and work him more on barrel racing. I ride at least 6
times a week. Is it safe to leave his shoes off when I start to work him
more, or will he get lame easier, etc? Thanks
A:
We have already written much about leaving horses barefooted and riding them
without shoes on the web site, which you should read if you haven't already done
so. The Q&A Index is at http://www.americanblacksmith.com/blacksmithstable/horseshoeing_questions-answers.htm .
Scan down the list of questions and read those pertaining to whether to
shoe or not.
Without
re-writing everything that is already on the web site, I'll say that the old
timers' wisdom always advised to barefoot horses when not riding them and over
winter to improve hoof quality. Generally speaking, this was good advice.
I
have found that most modern horses, especially those with Thoroughbred blood in
them, do not have feet that stand up well without shoes. If these horses go
barefoot over the winter, it can take you most of the following summer to get
the feet back in good shape. I do not barefoot my horses, which are all
Thoroughbred and Thoroughbred crosses, over the winter even if I am not riding
them.
Since
you are riding your horse, I would be especially leery of taking his shoes off.
If you are an experienced horseman you should be able to tell if he feels
sore-footed or not. If you only ride in soft pastures or arenas he might not be
sore. If you cross gravel roads or ride on hard surfaces he probably will be. Riding
a sore-footed horse is not treating him fairly, encourages a poor attitude
and teaches him to resist and not give his best response.
Horses
without shoes are much more prone to sole bruising and thus abscesses,
especially when they are being ridden.
The
first of March is pretty late in the winter to start your winter
barefooting. In most areas the ground will be hardening up in the next month or
so.
My
first reaction is to think that I'd probably want to keep the shoes on your
horse. In your particular situation, however, you must consider also that you
pay your trainer for his/her opinion and first-hand knowledge of your horse.
Your horse may have some problem that the trainer thinks will be alleviated by
removing the shoes. I'd advise you to get more details from the trainer and then
discuss it with your farrier. These professionals should be able to work
together as a team to encourage your horse's best health and performance.
Good
luck with your barrel horse. Please let me know what you decide and how it works
out.