Posted 2014-02-06 10:57 AM Subject: Should I put shoes on?
Expert
Posts: 1631 Location: Somewhere around here
This year I started seasoning my gelding. He is barefoot and we have never had any problems with his feet. My husband mentioned that we might want to put shoes on him though if we are going to more than one race or rodeo a month. I didn't really think about it since I like keeping my horses barefoot but last month we ran in some deeper ground and he went by the barrels a little. It made me starting thinking about shoes again. What are your thoughts?
Posted 2014-02-06 11:10 AM Subject: RE: Should I put shoes on?
Member
Posts: 37
I try to leave my horses barefoot at much/long as I can. I feel leaving my barrel horses barefoot allows the hoof to flex and "grip" the ground better then shoes, but I have noticed that in slippery or fast ground my horses don't necessarily slip more then other horses but that they almost just get sucked down more. I have a mare with thin soles and she has to have shoes on the front. I think this year I am going to put some sidewinders on her and seeing how she does compared to my other horses.
Posted 2014-02-06 11:33 AM Subject: RE: Should I put shoes on?
Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7264
I wouldn't unless you start having trouble. One less thing to pay for and one less thing to worry about. If my gelding wasn't so thin-soled, I wouldn't shoe him.
Should I put shoes on?
