Tennessee Walker Shoes

Question
I just purchased a Tennessee Walker. He is four years old. The people I purchased him from showed him. He has "plantation shoes?" on him? I have never dealt with this before. We are going to be taking his "shoes" off. (They are on the front) He has regular shoes on the back.
My first question is: how do you get them off? He has had them on for 4 weeks. The people said that they are usually on for 12. but I want them off now. We tried to get them off but there is some sort of glue on the bottom?
The other question is what sort of problems if any should I be looking for. Such as lameness or therapy or something I could be doing for him to make his transition from having these "shoes" on to not having them on?
I am going over to my barn now :) Thank you for your help!
Katie (lately@comcast.net)

Answer
HEY KATIE...THANKS FOR YOUR QUESTION...

Plantation shoes are thicker and heavier than normal shoes
to compliment the horse's action and gait. They are NOT on for 12 wks.!! The hooves would be too long and could cause soreness in the tendons and ligaments of the front limbs.
6/8 weeks at the most is recommended.

As far as glue??? I really don't think so. The farrier who put them on, obviously did a good job when the horse was shod.
If you don't have any history on the horse, I'd recommend asking a qualified farrier if the hoof walls are strong and in healthy shape. Have the farrier pull the shoes for you.
Without experience, you can break hoof wall or leave nails in the wall to cause problems later.
Again ...a farrier will know if it's "safe" to leave the shoes off. Lameness should NOT be a problem. Where you ride this horse would be a question. You wouldn't want to abuse the hooves, until the hooves got use to being barefoot
again. Being barefoot and trimming him on a regular schedule
should cause you no problems at all. Many horses being ridden in good soil/decent ground, will do just fine without
shoes.
Conditioners and possible amino acids added to your horse's
diet will help IF he starts to split/crack or chip badly.
Again...trimming on a regular schedule is a strong key to
eliminating problems.

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