Can I take my horse barefoot?

Unless you get 'bounced' by circumstance into de-shoeing your horse you need to ask yourself some frank questions before adopting the barefoot horse lifestyle.

A Why do I want to take the shoes off my horse?

1. Shoes are expensive
2. Barefoot seems more natural
3. Horse is lame/tripping/not moving properly
4. I want to be able to be more involved in the management of my horse

B What do I expect to gain from it?

1. Save money
2. A sound horse
3. A happier, healthier horse
4. A more natural horse

C How much time and effort am I prepared to spend managing my horse?

1. Less than I spend now
2. The same as I spend now
3. More than I spend now but not much more
4. No more than I do now

D Do I have support for my choices?

1. None at all
2. My friend who is barefoot
3. My hoof care professional and/or vet
4. I don't need it

E Are you prepared to change the management of your horse if necessary?

1. No
2. Maybe if it doesn't cost anything more or take more time
3. Yes to some extent
4. Yes I will do whatever is needed

F How do you think about your horse?

1. My horses have to have a 'job' and earn their living
2. Horses are happiest left to their own devices and can take care of themselves if turned out
3. My horse is a family member, like any other pet
4. Horses are sentient beings that need to be respected and well cared for

G Who is responsible for your horses hoof health?

1. Hoof care professional
2. Yard manager and staff
3. Both of the above
4. I am

In conclusion

Now tot up your answers.  If you have responded with mostly 3's and 4's you have a good chance of successfully managing a barefoot horse.

Having a barefooted horse very firmly places the responsibility for managing the detail of achieving a healthy hoof in the owner/main care giver's hands.  Be prepared to put aside a myriad of myth and start learning some real wisdom in modern hoof care.

If you have answered mostly 1's and 2's you might struggle to manage your horse barefoot. The responsibility for keeping your horse's hooves in optimum health is firmly in your hands.  It takes time, patience and a lot of myth ditching and learning new techniques.  

If you mess up you have to take the consequences.

On the plus side, there is nothing more rewarding than realising you have the power to transform your horse's well being and then doing just that.