Should Your Horse Wear Shoes or Go Barefoot?
Horseshoes are designed to protect horses hooves the same way shoes protect our feet. As horses became domesticated horseshoes were popularized as a way to protect the horses hooves in inhospitable environments. Many breeds of horses were not bred with hoof strength in mind leading to weaker hooves in some breeds. However under normal conditions horses may not need horseshoes and can go without which is referred to as going barefoot.
Horseshoeing Controversy
Some people think horses should never wear shoes and that if trimmed and maintained correctly a horse can participate in any discipline and remain sound without them. Many barefoot proponents believe that even serious hoof problems that are traditionally treated with specialized shoeing by a farrier can be solved with natural trims changing the footing the horse stands on and changing its diet. Some people even maintain that shoeing is inhumane.
For most pleasure horses shoes probably arent necessary and sensible maintenance including regular trimming may be all that is needed. You need to pay attention to the wear of the hoof and the comfort of your horse as you ride over all sorts of footing. If your horse is getting sore
