TWH hooves

Question
I have a Tennessee walking horse about 18 yrs old.  I  have had a problem with his hooves. After my farrier tried to keep shoes on him, he decided to just let him go barefoot.  My problems were that a previous farrier's shoes actually twisted on the foot and tore some of the side hoof.  The horse's hoof does not grow down it grows more out over the shoe.  I have had him off of shoes for about 10 weeks.  He can hardly stand to walk on any gravel of any type. He was a padded show horse in his younger days. I think he needs shoes back on, he just seems to sensitive without them. I have been using horseshoer secret to build his hoof.  What can you recommend and what type of shoe on the front should we be using.  We don't show, just trail ride.

Answer
HEY LEIGH...THANKS FOR YOUR QUESTION...

FIRST...in my opinion, you need to put shoes back on...at least half-shoe him on the front so you can ride.

Horseshoers' Secret is great...leave him on it. It sounds like his shoes NEED to be fitted alittle fuller. IF THE HOOF is growing over the shoes, the flairs need to be address'd (if any) and put alittle more shoe on him. At 18 yrs., I personally would "rock the toe" of
the shoe slightly to ease "breakover". It would help his joints and movement.

ALSO...use side clips on his shoes!! I draw my own (which is best)
because I put them where  THEY NEED TO BE. It keeps the shoes from twisting and damaging the walls. They sell shoes with "pre-made" clips if your farrier can't draw them.
I WOULD NOT use any pads right now. It would cause more movement between hoof & shoe, with the walls in bad shape.

One last thing...MANY horses drink from "ponds" and "stock tanks",
especially in the South and Southwestern parts of the USA. IF YOUR
horse is a "water-dog" as they say... :) :)  and wants to stay in the water or never dries out; you'll HAVE TO CHANGE his drinking arrangements. It will be the ONLY way you can keep a more "solid" wall on him!! In the South, with high humidity; "morning-dew" is terrible for the hooves. They stay soaked till about 11AM then
the sun comes out and "fries" the walls, causing them to dry and
crack/split. Wet,soft walls will not hold shoes well.

The Best to you!!
Joepaul  Meyers,C.J.F.