We took the shoes (front only) off my horse about 2 or 3 months ago, he wasnt being ridden much and we had a lot of mud the shoes would get pulled off more often than not. So we just decided to take them off. First day I rode him, about 5 days after he was totally fine... now last few times I've ridden him hes so tender footed I cant force myself to make him go anymore. He just feels ouchy and its definitely in the feet. I called my farrier because the horse is getting ready to start roping again in the next two weeks. Hes coming today to put shoes back on for me. My dilemma is if I should have him just do it all the way around or just stick with ftonts only. I know the amount of work hes getting ready to be doing and I want to make sure hes going to be comfortable doing it. Its probably been 3 years since hes been shod all the way around. 

Depends on what kind of roping.

Calf Roping/Breakaway/heeling - yes all the way around

Heading/Barrels - I think you are good with Fronts

if front shoes only was working for him before, maybe try that first and see how he does unless he also seems really sore on his hind end too. I find it hard to believe that if he did not have rear shoes, he's magically developed soreness all the way around after having only the fronts pulled off. I'd ask your farrier what they think too, as they are familiar with your horse and feet. Good luck and let us know how it turns out! :)

I would put all 4 on 

I agree with this. Had a farrier about 2 years ago tell me that my older horses (23 this year) were "too soft" for shoes. He could ride on sand but even a small bit of gravel and he was very ouchy. Bought him boots which helped but then switched farriers and put his front shoes back on, which is what hes always been in since i bought him 15 yrs ago, and hes been fine every since. I once did 4 shoes on him years ago but he doesnt need them, and when i asked my current farrier about if he needs them he said hes fine without them

I spoke with my farrier and he said he would look at him today and we will decide if we should put 4 on him. I had him shod all the way around when we lived in NM and it was really rocky and uneven he did just fine with them on. I cant remember why we ended up only doing the fronts when we got back to.Texas... but I slowed way down on roping and hadn't done very much since. Hes a head and heel horse. My daughter is going to be roping on him too, shes learning breakaway while her 4 yr old is in training. 

We ended up putting all 4. I'm glad we did. I'm not going to ride him today but I will be tomorrow morning, I'm not expecting a miracle turnaround but I sure hope it helps out some. It was also suggested to put some hoof hardener on the bottoms of his hooves every week. I do have some in my tack room  so I'll put some on him tonight before his nighly turnout. 

Glad that you put shoes on all the way around its better this way since you are going to be sending him off, what type of roping training is he going to be doing? I know for tie down he'll be useing his hind end more so getting his hind end done is a good move..

Hes not going for training, hes finished on both ends. Hes going to be getting a tune up... momma is gonna dust off her rope bag and start roping again plus my daughters little yellow horse is already there getting started on cattle as of Sunday. While hes in school she can also use my horse for roping lessons on the hot heels. We are currently looking for a nice older finished rope horse for her to learn on so my horse doesnt get too worn out, he always took good care of me out there so I know he will do the same for her. But all 3 of us cant always use him to rope on lol! (My hubby is wanting to rope a few times a week again)  We need another until her pally is ready to go which will be a good while. So far we've missed 2 really nice horses that sold from friends of ours because we hadn't had the word out we were looking! I made sure today we told everyone we know we are on the lookout for one lol! 

 lol, I could have sworn you said he was going for training , but oh well I'm kinda lacking sleep, so that can be my reason for thinking the way I think  

I may have lol! I'm a little under slept myself! Our 4yr old is gone for training since I wasnt gonna make a barrel horse out of him, the husband sent him off for heeling. My horse, great white, aka cash, wasnt too fun to run barrels on so I just decided not to do it anymore but wanting to get back into something, decided to get him tuned back up for roping .... again lol!! 

In the meantime... I've got a daughter who is butt deep into varsity cheerleading, and is heck bent on learning to breakaway so she can hs rodeo, trying to find her a good horse, my two boys are in select fall ball.. my youngest made a select team he starts practicing this week and Jacob has a big tryout coming up next week we are prepping him for.. I think I gained some grey hairs on my head and the dark circles under my eyes are a nice touch I dont even know what day it is half the time lol! But I wouldn't trade it for the world ... 

I took my boy out for a spin this afternoon and he felt GREAT! completely back to his normal self, moving out nicely and turning good circles. Shoes were the ticket! His feet look fabulous. 

YAY!!