Shoes on just the front?

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Shoes on just the front? Moderators: luluwhit, gotothewhip, cindyt, crossspur, ForumAdmin Jump to page :	Last activity 2014-08-23 6:18 PM 5 replies, 2548 views View previous thread :: View next thread
General Discussion -> Barrel Talk


turtleaut Reg. Nov 2008	Posted 2014-08-23 4:30 PM Subject: Shoes on just the front?
Expert Posts: 1286 Location: Mississippi	So I posted the other day that my horse had lost both back shoes and whether or not I should run. I wound up running our fastest time in that particular arena and won the 1D! So with that being said, I know alot of people only shoe the front - what is the reason for this and what issues do you run into (if any)? When I bought this horse, he was only shod in the front but owner said the only reason was to save a little money. I have been having all 4 done each time the farrier comes out but if we don't need them then obviously it would be nice to save. Just curious to hear others opinions/experiences.
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uno-dos-tres! Reg. Jul 2004	Posted 2014-08-23 4:36 PM Subject: RE: Shoes on just the front?
Expert Posts: 4766 Location: Bandera, TX	The horse bears the bulk of his weight on the forequarters and thus the breakdown of the hoof wall occurs quicker at that location. If the horse has "good" feet and no suspensory issues on the hindquarters just go with the front shoes and see what occurs. Some horses need the support and others can't stand the grab of a hind shoe.
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mollibtexan Reg. Jan 2007	Posted 2014-08-23 5:20 PM Subject: RE: Shoes on just the front?
Expert Posts: 1526 Location: Texas	I run most of mine with just front shoes. I'm not sure why I do it like this but lots of things I just follow my gut.
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livexlovexrodeo Reg. Oct 2009	Posted 2014-08-23 5:37 PM Subject: RE: Shoes on just the front?
I'm Cooler Offline Posts: 6387 Location: Pacific Northwest	I currently run my mare with just front shoes...she clocks just about the same either way, although it took a few runs for her to get used to not having anything back there. In her case I didn't have a choice, she already has thin walls and she ripped a huge chunk out. We left her barefoot for it to grow back, and what hoof wall was growing back was stronger than the previous so my farrier asked if it'd be okay to leave her like that. She's never been lame and isn't tender, I think it just felt weird for her to make a run without back shoes. I did the same another horse, but it was to save money. I wasn't really competing with him and he probably doesn't need shoes at all. I ran him on a whim without back shoes and he clocked way, way faster than he ever had before, and continued to clock like that without them.
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Racer4eva Reg. Feb 2009	Posted 2014-08-23 6:05 PM Subject: RE: Shoes on just the front?
Elite Veteran Posts: 762 Location: NC	My older gelding ran about 9 years with out back shoes. Mainly due to saving money. This year was the first year we put them on, only because he needed the support
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runs4fun Reg. Oct 2006	Posted 2014-08-23 6:18 PM Subject: RE: Shoes on just the front?
	It's very common, I've run several horses that I only shod in the front.
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