horses performing well with barefoot

Question
hello sir, i have seen few of the good trainers at our local racetrack leave the hind feet of the horse unshod while the fore feet would be either shod with aluminum or steel. these horses won many races. do horses feel comfortable running on grass barefoot or with shoes (i am more concerned about the hind feet)? our racetrack grows only grass to race the horses.

Answer
HELLO ROHIT...THANKS FOR YOUR QUESTION...

It really doesn't matter to the horse. Trainers have superstitions and beliefs on
training and IF they have success, they tend to stay with it !! As they say..."Habits
die Hard" !!

MOST running bred horses will have a natural "cup" to their hind hooves. Concave so to speak.
So...that might be a major reason. Natural traction so the horse can "drive" forward in his/her
stride.

Many Also feel aluminum will help. When you are talking ONLY a few ounces between lite-steel
and aluminum...Again it doesn't matter to the horse. A few ounces will not change things that much!!

Best to You !!
Joepaul Meyers,C.J.F.