4Hooves

A: I have been asked this question a few times and the answer, I feel, depends on what you want to do with the horse. Older horses will benefit hugely from the removal of the concussive effect of shoes, their joints, ligaments and tendons will all appreciate the more natural, stress free landings.

 

If a horse has been shod for many years, it is likely that his hooves will have adapted to being in shoes, and it is even possible that the structures in his feet may have suffered irreversible long term damage, contraction and wasting from being in shoes.

 

Older horses might have tendons and ligaments issues, may be less flexible, may have issues with their joints and some are in contant low grade pain from injuries picked up over a long competitive career.

 

The older horse's hoof will grow at roughly the same rate as a young horse, given the right amount of stimulation and a good diet. There is no reason why an older horse cannot transition to barefoot - and gain big benefits from doing so. Because they have been shod long term, they may need more support and possibly booting during transition.

 

It is never too late to transition an older horse. But remember that the changes to diet and management must also be made to help them to adjust to being barefoot. Many veteran horse mixes are high in mollasses and sugars, and these are not appropriate for optimum hoof health.

 

In any case if they are going to retire to pasture, there is no need for shoes so they may as well feel the ground beneath their feet, as long as they are comfortable to do so.