Barefoot horses
By mumshome
@mumshome (25)
Norway
March 5, 2007 2:01am CST
Our horses are barefoot -i.e. they don't have shoes on. We,ve decided that we want to give our horses a more natural life, without the restraints that usually come with captivity (being cooped up indoors, shoes, blankets). They seem to respond well to that, they're hardly ever sick, and seem to enjoy life! Their hooves are trimmed every 6 weeks or so.
What do you think? We don't have a lot of experience with horses, we just know that shoes and stables are things invented by humans, right?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@biwasaki (1745)
• United States
5 Mar 07
Our horses are kept in a pasture and we never put them in stalls for more than an occasional overnight stay. As for letting them be barefoot, make sure the farrier you've hired specializes in barefoot horses. They know more about the natural state of the hooves and will be more alert to any changes or problems that may arise. Good luck!!
1 person likes this
@mom2rottie (620)
•
9 Mar 07
Our horses are also barefoot. Where we live there is no need to shod them, so we don't.
We do have a stable they come and go as they please. Due to the amount of snow we've had and the fact that many of the horses are on special weight gaining diets (they are rescues) we always feed them in the stall, but the door is open so they can go out to the pasture at any time. Our mini donkeys and goats are locked in the barn at night due to coyotes and bears that share our property with us. They've never bothered the horses though.
We don't blanket them either, it never gets very warm (high is usually around 60*) here so they always have a pretty good coat.
@Linny1 (40)
•
2 Feb 08
My farrier prefers barefoot as do I. However, if you ride a lot in rough terraine - the farrier believes you chouls shoe them.
