[QUOTE=annairb;8220890]
Thank you all for the help (excluding the comment by alibi_18 which was very unnecessary). And thank you BoyleHeightsKid for understanding, I am new at horse ownership and simply want the best for my horse. I’ve heard from a few people that horse shoes are uncomfortable for the horse, so I wanted to make sure I know what I’m getting into.
Merrygoround: I can understand not second guessing the vet, however I suggested to my farrier and trainer before that I thought my horse was too far back on her heels, and they simply ignored my concern and asked why I dare question their 30 or so years of experience.
BoyleHeightsKid: You said I need to give more info. I’m not really sure what else I can give, unfortunately. The only thing I know is my horse apparently needs wedge shoes and I would just like to know if there was another way to help her without putting painful-sounding nails inside her feet.
Also, I’m not totally against putting shoes on my horse. I would just like to find a way around it if possible. If shoeing is the only (or the most beneficial) option, then I will go with shoes.[/QUOTE]
If you are new to horse ownership then be aware that there is a whole bunch of “junk husbandry” information out there and a big part of it is the “horseshoes are evil” campaign.
The iron shoe was probably invented by the Romans (who also gave us the rigid tree saddle) to improve the utility of horses whose feet wore badly on the Roman roads of the day. It worked. It’s an inexpensive way to protect the hoof from the environment in which it works. There are modern alternatives yet none has EVER been shown to be superior to the modern, metal shoe. And the modern, metal shoe has never been shown to cause injury when properly used. Iron has been replaced by steel, aluminum, titanium, and alloys. Each has its own virtues and vices.
I’d be uncomfortable with a naked “we’ve got 30 years experience, trust us” response to a question. But if you are going to over-rule 30 years of other people’s expertise then you have to ask some serious questions of yourself.
A horse that is sore or sensitive after a trim is generally an indication of a faulty trim. That said there are circumstances where a correct trim might cause short term discomfort but those circumstances are about as rare as hen’s teeth. If this is a consistent problem then the cause is the poor farrier service; fix it.
If your vet and farrier agree that a therapeutic shoeing is required for the health, safety, or welfare of the horse then any rejection of this advice by you puts the burden of negative consequences on you. What are your reasons to reject the advice? Note that this is not a criticism, it’s a fair question. If you are new to the art of equine husbandry upon what basis do you make your decisions?
Asking questions about “alternatives” is not at all a bad thing. But since the science and experience behind a huge percentage of alternatives is virtually non-existent then you can quickly make your horse “veterinary experimental subject” with all the risks and benefits of that status.
A frank conversation with your vet and farrier is a Good Thing. Asking them to explain their reasoning is perfectly OK. TELL them that you’re new and want to learn. But when you ask a question make it a question, not a declarative sentence with a question mark at the end! That is a sign of “hostile” questioning and can quickly close doors for you. That’s a Very Bad Thing.
Read, learn, and try to understand. But be critical in your choice of sources and don’t buy any “snake oil.” 
G.
It really makes you appreciate your ponee SO much. He still did his job happily with those feet! He wears a 2. Can you believe in the above pictures he was in an 0!!!
