Search the Internet for information about barefoot hoof care and eventually you'll come across a similar statement. While I do not characterize the practice of shoeing as evil I have seen many of the detrimental effects caused by the shoe that has fueled this extreme viewpoint. Neither personally nor professionally do I view the shoe as evil and I certainly do not condemn anyone for shoeing their horse. As a matter of fact, there was a time when I had my own horses shod, because like most horse owners I was told, and fully bought into the idea, that if you are going to use your horse you have to protect his feet with a shoe. Especially my quarter horse Gideon, who I was told by more than one farrier had "bad feet" and needed to be shod year round. My fascination with the farrier practice eventually brought me to the point where I began shoeing my own horse. Ironically, the more I worked on my own horses, the more I began to question the necessity of the shoe and began to search for alternatives. I studied and compared various methodologies and techniques of trimming and shoeing before formally training under KC LaPierre. Still today my education continues, not just when I attend a clinic or workshop, but every time I pick up a horses foot.
So, how do I view the practice of shoeing now? First and foremost, I believe the shoe is extremely over-applied. Many of the horses I see simply do not need shoes, even by most farriers standards. Often times they are applied for an owners well-being. As one farrier told me..."Sure I shoe horses that don't need them, but it makes the owner feel good." Sounds reasonable, unless of course you take into account the effects of the shoe on the structure of the foot. Unfortunately, its this scenario that will eventually result in the horse becoming dependant on the artificial structure the shoe provides.
Secondly, I believe it's the misconception that working horses need shoes that overshadows the negative effects of applying steel shoes. One such negative effect, and perhaps most profound, is the loss of natural function, which in itself encompasses several processes. The neurological, as well as, circulatory systems within the foot are compromised, all of which in time increases the dependence upon the shoe.
So, am I suggesting that there is never a need for a shoe? No, I do believe some conditions dictate that a horse be shod. Primarily, when the rate of wear exceeds the rate of growth. An example being standardbred race horses, that are asked to trot or pace in excess of 30 m.p.h. over a compressed stone dust track. Yet, I believe these situations are isolated and most horses simply do not need to be shod, especially with the alternatives now available. Whereas, many farriers will state that 95% of horses need shoes, while the elite 5% do not. I would argue just the opposite, that 95% can go barefoot, while 5% would require shoes, a statement I back by the results I have witnessed with my own clients, as well as, other natural hoof care colleagues. Especially, now with all the options available to today's horse owner. There was a time when I would concede that a rapid and extreme change in environment would dictate a shoe, but now there are boots available to deal with such instances. An example would be the horse that is turned out and/or worked on sand or grass 95% of the time, but once or twice a year the owner takes the horse camping where it will encounter harsh terrain such as sharp gravel. Can a horse be conditioned to sharp gravel? Yes, but not by being exposed to it once or twice a year, so "boot" the horse and have at it. Another recent innovation is the flexible horse shoe. It is a glue on shoe composed of a hard rubber that does not restrict the natural function of the foot. It appears to be the ideal compromise between the protection of a shoe and the return of natural function. It is a European design and has recently been introduced in this country. I am in contact with the importer and should have my hands on some shortly. While I still advocate barefoot performance, I can see where this product will aid in the transition process of shod to barefoot. It will also allow me to help those owners not ready to make the transition, by offering a product that offers them the "security" of a shoe, without compromising the basic tenets of barefoot equine podiatry. I hope to have more information about this exciting new product for next month's column. So until next month, dare to go bare...barefoot that is!
Oh yeah, remember I mentioned my horse Gideon, the one with "bad feet" who would need to be shod year round, well if your ever in the Wynantskill area keep an eye out for us, he's the barefoot horse trotting over gravel soundly and happily!
