Switching to Barefoot and Xrays

[Guilherme]

A property trimmed food, done to anatomical correctness and neatly dressed up, is a thing of beauty in it’s own right. If the foot is to be shod then the finish is a bit different from a “barefoot” trim but that’s a detail. The substance is fundamentally the same.

The “trimmer” who will not apply shoes is, by definition, one-dimensional in their care. Arguing that now, after the trim, we have to go to “third party” assets to make it functionally work just highlights the truth of my basic assertion. If the trimmer says, “This won’t work, you need to shoe the horse” then I’ve no heartburn. That’s being professional. If they say, “This won’t work but now you need to enter an entire new world of devices” then that’s not being professional. It’s being deceptive.

Folks may disagree and that’s OK.

G.

[JB]

How are nail-on shoes not totally in the same category as glue-on shoes, or boots, or casts? They are a tool to use for a foot that cannot do X without some protection. That’s all.

And what if the OWNER doesn’t want shoes? What if the owner is not about to pa $120 every 5 weeks for shoes that the horse only needs on weekends when he goes trail riding, but is perfectly happy and sound riding the other 5 days a week in a groomed ring?

What about the farrier who uses glue-on shoes, or casting, for the foot that cannot take nails?

I abhor trimmers who are so dogmatic about barefoot that they will continue to do the horse harm, and brainwash the owner, all in the name of “natural”, and refuse to use any orthodics, and who will continue to tell the owner the horse will eventually be fine barefoot, who cares if you can’t ride for the next 3 years in the process.

[Scribbler]

My thoughts at this point are that most barefoot horses will need boots for at least occasional use especially if they live on soft footing and trail ride on much harder ground. And if you want to move faster than a walk on trails.

If they live on ground that’s similar to what you ride on, they may toughen up.

I still think boots are cheaper than excellent shoeing, since they last longer. And if you don’t need them every day it’s a plus that the horse can stand around barefoot.

One of life’s ironies is that at least around here, the riders who never leave the arena all shoe right around. Whereas the folks who trail ride tend to be barefoot.

Interestingly barefoot with boots or glueons for competition is very popular with endurance riders. And they cover more gnarly terrain than any other discipline.

[S1969]

@JB

How are nail-on shoes not totally in the same category as glue-on shoes, or boots, or casts? They are a tool to use for a foot that cannot do X without some protection. That’s all.

How common is it for a barefoot trimmer to use glue on shoes? I would think shaping the shoes would be something that if you don’t do it frequently, you never really get good at it.

I don’t see why a trimmer that used glue ons wouldn’t learn to nail on shoes also.

[Scribbler]

@S1969

How common is it for a barefoot trimmer to use glue on shoes? I would think shaping the shoes would be something that if you don’t do it frequently, you never really get good at it.

I don’t see why a trimmer that used glue ons wouldn’t learn to nail on shoes also.

I think barefoot specialists are more likely to use glueon hoof boot shells rather than glue on metal shoes. Some kinds of glueon shells can be shaped with a heat source ( I watched Pete Ramey demo this). They also take sole padding well. But most likely they will recommend removable hoof boots unless a horse needs 24/7 therapeutic care or is doing something special like an endurance race.

[JB]

@S1969

How common is it for a barefoot trimmer to use glue on shoes?

I honestly don’t know. I DO think it’s becoming more common. But does that mean 5% used to, and now it’s 10%? No idea

I would think shaping the shoes would be something that if you don’t do it frequently, you never really get good at it.

We’re talking plasticy/rubbery material, not metal, so there’s a lot less shaping, and more size/shape selection, and some appropriate rasping of shoe material. This isn’t a matter of glueing on a metal shoe. There are shoes made specifically to be glued on. Some also take nails to help.

I don’t see why a trimmer that used glue ons wouldn’t learn to nail on shoes also.

Some do. Some do learn how to drive nails, and choose the right nails, to assist in the staying power of glue-ons. But just because a synthetic shoe can be nailed on, doesn’t mean the foot can take nails.

@Scribbler

I think barefoot specialists are more likely to use glueon hoof boot shells rather than glue on metal shoes.

See above - glue-on shoes is not just gluing on metal shoes

Some kinds of glueon shells can be shaped with a heat source ( I watched Pete Ramey demo this). They also take sole padding well. But most likely they will recommend removable hoof boots unless a horse needs 24/7 therapeutic care or is doing something special like an endurance race.

Yes, there are some shells which cover more of the foot, having a cuff that comes up partway over the foot, and that definitely helps with staying power.

[Guilherme]

@JB

How are nail-on shoes not totally in the same category as glue-on shoes, or boots, or casts? They are a tool to use for a foot that cannot do X without some protection. That’s all.

Not quite. The iron shoe has been around almost 2000 years and I’d say it’s passed the “test of time.” But, more to the point, the farrier does both the trim and fitting (even to the point of making a custom shoe on the site). None of the other “devices” fall into this category.

And what if the OWNER doesn’t want shoes? What if the owner is not about to pa $120 every 5 weeks for shoes that the horse only needs on weekends when he goes trail riding, but is perfectly happy and sound riding the other 5 days a week in a groomed ring?

The owner’s “wants” are NOT the standard; it’s what’s best for the horse. If an owner cannot provide that then they need to sell the horse and buy a Harley.

What about the farrier who uses glue-on shoes, or casting, for the foot that cannot take nails?

Apples and oranges. Therapeutic shoeing (the Real Stuff not the “made up” stuff often seen) can require deviations from standard practices as long as such are in the best interests of the long term soundness of the horse.

I abhor trimmers who are so dogmatic about barefoot that they will continue to do the horse harm, and brainwash the owner, all in the name of “natural”, and refuse to use any orthodics, and who will continue to tell the owner the horse will eventually be fine barefoot, who cares if you can’t ride for the next 3 years in the process.

I abhor the same things.

G.