HOW TO SUCCESSFULLY TRANSITION A HORSE OUT OF METAL SHOES.

It is important to note that while yes, almost any horse can and should go barefoot there are some horses who must wear some sort of shoe to be sound. Usually these horses have suffered years and years of chronic hoof neglect that has done irreversible damage. For those horses, quality hoof trimming combined with hoof boots and/or glue on shoes, they can experience better hoof experience than a metal shoe can provide. Some reasons that do not justify keeping a horse in shoes would be laminitis or that a horse is unsound without shoes. Consistent, quality hoof care combined with passive movement and proper nutrition reign above metal shoes in these cases. Finding the root causes of soundness issues is key to achieving total body wellness within your horse.

Here are our top 8 tips for taking nearly any horse barefoot:

1. Forage Based Nutrition: Establish a well-balanced, forage based nutrition feeding routine for your horses. Eliminate high sugar grains and feed as well as high sugar grasses from your horses diet! This will “feed the hoof” and promote healthy new growth.

2. Passive Movement: Passive movement is an integral part of being a horse! They are meant to mosey along for many hours and many miles, munching on small bits of forage they find. This movement promotes optimal hoof growth and is vital to success! Make the other 22-23 hours in the day you are not actively working your horse actually work for your horse!

3. Quality Hoofcare: Quality, informed hoof care is vital to the success of the barefoot horse! Trimming the hoof to the Hard Sole Plane consistently is crucial. Micromanaging the hoof unnaturally will not stimulate proper growth. Working with the hoof in front of you is key!

4. Natural Grazing Pattern: 24/7 forage on a track system simulates the natural grazing patterns of the horse. They are meant to forage for most of the day, eating small amounts as they walk along. This pattern stimulates quality hoof growth, enriches the mind, and promotes optimal digestion!

5. Consistency: Transitioning to barefoot can be a daunting process but staying consistent is key! Keeping up on microtrims and taking note of your horse’s hoof condition on a weekly basis will help guide your success.

6. Hoof Boots: Hoof Boots are a great way to help transition a horse out of metal shoes to barefoot. They cannot be worn 24/7 but can be used when the horse is being worked!

7. Glue On Shoes: Glue on shoes can also be a great way to help support your horse to the barefoot transition depending on the condition of their hooves. Glue on shoes can provide a long term alternative to metal shoes as well depending on your horses needs.

8. Learning How to Trim: Learning how to trim your horses hooves is such a powerful skill to master. Keeping informed on your horses hoof quality and health will help you stay in the know on what your horse needs for success! By recognizing hoof biomechanics and proper structure, you will have the upper hand in helping your horse reach ultimate hoof quality.

Please remember that these creatures are living, breathing beings that we must be patient with as we transition them to barefoot. The journey may look different for each and every one of you, but it will be so unbelievably worth it in the end. Your horse will thank you!