Shodding helps performance?

[Smthn_Like_Olivia]

I have a young horse that came to me with front shoes. He couldn’t keep them on despite having “decent” feet and farrier was out almost weekly. My previous horses have all been barefoot, so after a couple months of this, I told him to just pull the damn things. Now he has great feet, strong, with no issues - walks over gravel without flinching, and is on a multi-supplement that includes something for the hooves.

We are at the beginnings of a dressage career and though he’s not a big, fancy mover or breed, he shows a lot of potential. I was recently told that once we start getting into more serious work, I would need to put him back in shoes? That they would help enhance his movement? I’d honestly hate to put him back in shoes just because, so I’m wondering what others thoughts are on this. Does it really help? Is it necessary when you get into more serious training?

[Scribbler]

I honestly wouldn’t worry about it at all at this stage.

If you get to the point where the difference between a 7 and a 9 movement is going to depend on him feeling safe to do a giant extended trot on any footing, including maybe unfamiliar sand rings, then that is something you can consider at that point. Like maybe at PSG. I honestly wouldn’t worry about it at any lower levels. Also I would only consider it if you get amazing movement from him on super soft footing, and noticeably less expression on another kind of arena footing (not expecting him to give you his maximum extended trot on a gravel trail).

I don’t think you are going to see any difference at the kinds of trot you do up through level 3 (don’t have the tests in front of me to check). Getting the horse to carry himself correctly will have much more impact than shoes versus no shoes.

[Smthn_Like_Olivia]

@Scribbler

I honestly wouldn’t worry about it at all at this stage.

If you get to the point where the difference between a 7 and a 9 movement is going to depend on him feeling safe to do a giant extended trot on any footing, including maybe unfamiliar sand rings, then that is something you can consider at that point. Like maybe at PSG. I honestly wouldn’t worry about it at any lower levels. Also I would only consider it if you get amazing movement from him on super soft footing, and noticeably less expression on another kind of arena footing (not expecting him to give you his maximum extended trot on a gravel trail).

I don’t think you are going to see any difference at the kinds of trot you do up through level 3 (don’t have the tests in front of me to check). Getting the horse to carry himself correctly will have much more impact than shoes versus no shoes.

Thank you. This is great. We may never need shoes! Lol. I’ll be a totally happy camper if we make it to 3rd.

[GramV]

If your horse has good feet, you should never need shoes. Anyone telling you you need shoes for “serious” or upper level work is someone I would not take advice from. Shoes are for dealing with issues you can’t resolve otherwise.

There is no reason a dressage horse should need shoes. Think about it. Why would a stiff, immobile base that restricts the normal expansion and contraction of the hoof capsule be better for them? I have three barefoot FEI horses, and once I figured out horses don’t “need” shoes, all of my horses were barefoot, and far better off for it. Jumping might have some considerations that might make them more desirable, but I would still say long term performance and soundness is always preferred and served with being barefoot. Have a good look at the contracted heels, massive central sulcus, and small, tight feet in so many shod horses and see what you think is best.

I just had a show and ran into someone just starting I-1 and had her horse barefoot, too. She asked about it and noted people were telling her to get shoes, and when she asked why, no one could give her an answer.She was happy to see my barefoot sound horses.

[MissAriel]

Shannon Peters is a huge proponent of horses going barefoot and shows most of her horses barefoot - up to and including GP.

https://dressagetoday.com/horse-health-/barefoot-dressage-with-shannon-peters-12540

[merrygoround]

There is some thought that shoes, particularly behind can be helpful in giving support. But that is for a very big mare doing 4th Level.

As you and she are just starting a dressage career, I would wait until that bridge appears before worrying about crossing it.

[alibi_18]

@MissAriel

Shannon Peters is a huge proponent of horses going barefoot and shows most of her horses barefoot - up to and including GP.

https://dressagetoday.com/horse-heal…n-peters-12540

Yes.

But, the article also said that Ravel kept his shoes behind.

So my answer to the OP; technically shoeing and/or trimming can totally enhance and even change the horse’s movement (aka performance).

Horses should be trimmed according to their conformation; in a way that doesn’t interfere with their natural movement.

They should be shod to protect the well trimmed hooves, to correct something that cannot be fixed barefoot, and to offer more support and traction.

[GramV]

Again, anyone that tells you a dressage horse has to be shod would not be someone I would listen to.

Ravel had seriously bad feet when they bought him, so he had major issues, and he’s totally barefoot now.

In no way, whatsoever, do you need to shoe a horse “to protect well trimmed hooves.” Well trimmed hooves can be completely ruined by shoeing. Shoes also do not, for the most part, provide more support or traction. A steel, unmoving brace on the bottom of a hoof is not support–it’s restriction, keeping feet that are meant to expand and contract from doing so and causes a whole host of issues. They also do not provide more traction. A good bare foot had a lovely concave shape that allows for wonderful traction and can dig in just as well into footing. Try riding a shod horse versus a barefoot horse down a muddy hill–shod horses slip and slide much more, while a barefoot horse has much more natural traction. I have a very big mare doing PSG who has always been barefoot and she needs no more support and can carry and sit just fine. (And a medium one doing GP, and an older small one PSG. . . )

Shoes are needed when there are issues that cannot be resolved otherwise, which is a lot fewer situations than most people think. Think of Steffen’s comment in the article. He never even thought about having barefoot horses because that’s the way it always was. No one should ever be doing things because that’s the way it always was or other people do it. Do it because it is the best for the horse with the best advice and knowledge you can find.

[Dressagelvr]

Your first post is confusing to me. A horse with good feet should have no problem holding shoes unless there’s an incompetent farrier or really bad turnout footing.

Now to the larger question: does your horse need shoes? Anyone who answers definitively one way or the other is lacking in knowledge.

Horses are shod for one (or more) of these three reasons: protection, correction, or traction.

Only an excellent vet and farrier team can determine your horse’s specific needs. Sometimes a good trainer can also help, but not all trainers are equipped to evaluate the specific needs of your horse.

It is critical to have an excellent vet and farrier collaborating on your horse’s specific needs. Make sure they are sport horse specialists with a book of business that mirrors your athletic intentions.

There really is no set answer and your horse’s needs are constantly evolving, depending on a myriad of factors.

In short, what’s right for your horse today may not be right for your horse in August. He may go his whole career barefoot or need special shoes at first level.

Anything can happen.

Keep an open mind and an excellent team of professionals around you. And always listen to your horse.

[MissAriel]

@alibi_18

Yes.

But, the article also said that Ravel kept his shoes behind.

So my answer to the OP; technically shoeing and/or trimming can totally enhance and even change the horse’s movement (aka performance).

Horses should be trimmed according to their conformation; in a way that doesn’t interfere with their natural movement.

They should be shod to protect the well trimmed hooves, to correct something that cannot be fixed barefoot, and to offer more support and traction.

Ravel’s situation was different, in that he was a horse already in shoes, in heavy training right before the Olympics. To help heal a problem went barefoot for a short time, then went right back to shoes. I would have liked for the article to address why shoes were a better option for him overall - that could have been instruct

I wholeheartedly agree with the impact shoeing or trimming can have on a horse’s movement - for good or bad. I just wanted to give the OP some examples of riders doing upper level work with barefoot horses, as well as a taste for some of the science being done around the hows and whys. If OP does want to add shoes - it should be with a better reason than “just because” or even a vague “it will enhance his movement” and maybe the article can help.

[PeteyPie]

Shodding???

[Tyrus_Mom]

@PeteyPie

Shodding???

I know, right? What I was thinking. Interesting topic tho. Making me rethink my own horse’s shoes a bit. . Then I thought no… too much trail riding on rocky ground, I can’t.

[KyrieNZ]

I have two dressage horses. A 19 year old schoolmaster, shod; and a 5 year that’s had a couple of starts. 19 year old is happiest shod (I tried him barefoot, not an option) while the 5 year old is barefoot. He’s happy barefoot. Just do what you feel is right for your horse.

[Smthn_Like_Olivia]

@Dressagelvr

Your first post is confusing to me. A horse with good feet should have no problem holding shoes unless there’s an incompetent farrier or really bad turnout footing.

Now to the larger question: does your horse need shoes? Anyone who answers definitively one way or the other is lacking in knowledge.

Horses are shod for one (or more) of these three reasons: protection, correction, or traction.

Only an excellent vet and farrier team can determine your horse’s specific needs. Sometimes a good trainer can also help, but not all trainers are equipped to evaluate the specific needs of your horse.

It is critical to have an excellent vet and farrier collaborating on your horse’s specific needs. Make sure they are sport horse specialists with a book of business that mirrors your athletic intentions.

There really is no set answer and your horse’s needs are constantly evolving, depending on a myriad of factors.

In short, what’s right for your horse today may not be right for your horse in August. He may go his whole career barefoot or need special shoes at first level.

Anything can happen.

Keep an open mind and an excellent team of professionals around you. And always listen to your horse.

I said “decent” feet, meaning he had something there to work with, just needed some correcting. He’s a TB and came off the track, so his hind shoes were pulled when he came to me. Despite a hoof supplement, a good elevated pasture, and constantly applying topical treatments, he would regularly throw a shoe.

In my opinion, the shoes were making his feet weaker and breaking them down. Once we pulled the shoes, it took about 3 weeks before he wasn’t ouchy walking across the small gravel area in front of our barn. His low racing heels have grown out and his soles have hardened. In fact, how quickly his hooves turned around surprised even my farrier. He was reluctant to pull the shoes because he’s a TB. The only supplement he’s on now is Platinum Performance EQ, but nothing to directly address the hooves and we’ve had zero issues. His feet continue to improve and lose their once “racing” look. We just went through about 4 weeks of rain a month ago and he had no problems. I think that based on this, I will try to keep him barefoot as long as I possibly can.

[Manni01]

My mare is 20 years now. she got me to my bronze medal and we did 4th level as well. she never had shoes in her life.

I do believe though that there are horses who do need shoes. it really depends how the ground looks like where you live and what you want to do with your horse. I know that there are some people who are firm believers in keeping their horses barefoot and other people who are firm believers in keeping their horses shod. I would still say it depends…
BUT. If the horse does not need shoes, it will have no different gaits with shoes or without… My 20 year old mare has the most beautiful gaits you can imagine… I am sad everyday that horses age… I cannot imagine that shoes would improve her gaits…

[Edre]

I think this is going to be highly horse dependent. Some horses thrive in shoes (beyond just “they need it” for soundness/structural purposes). For some reason, it seems there are some horses that feel more confident with footfall when they are shod.

On the other hand, there are also horses who feel more confident and secure without shoes. I could never get a quality extended trot out of my first horse when he was shod behind. He had a tendency to interfere behind (aluminum shoes, trailers, etc were all tested but ultimately what ended up working was increasing his strength and balance. Once he developed those he rarely interferred but he seemed to keep the “memory” and the "worry of it). We ended up pulling his shoes to see what would happen and we discovered that he moved much more freely without them because without shoes, he seemed unworried about the potential of striking himself.

It takes all kinds. Each horse thrives with a different approach. Assuming there is a “one size fits all” is foolish.