Question: Shoeing FAQ - Is Barefoot Better - Barefoot Trims?
Answer: Some people think horses should never wear shoes and if trimmed properly can participate in any discipline and remain sound. Many practitioners believe serious hoof problems, whose treatment traditionally would have included specialized shoeing, can be solved with natural trims. There has been some controversy over whether this is true. For most pleasure horses shoes probably aren’t necessary and sensible maintenance that includes regular trimming may be all that is needed.
Barefoot enthusiasts point to shoeing as the cause of many problems and, indeed poor shoeing can do more harm that good. But shoeing has also many benefits. Whether or not barefoot is best is up to you and your horse.
