Barefoot hoses

Question
I am concerned that even though the horses are mostly riden in dirt and ridden about once a week, there is quite of bit of small gravel road and rock and shell which the horses travel over on some locations.  The last time I went out for a 4 hour ride there was allot of rock and then on the way home my horse was wanting to walk mostly in the weeds and groaned when she stepped on rocks.  I am concerned that she is needing shoes to give her a lift up off of the rocks.  What do you suggest. She also seems to be really rough when she gallops.  Also the other horse seems to be walking flat footed, would shoes help or hinder?

Answer
Hi Jo ... I think it might be wise to invest in some boots for the longer trail rides. If your horse doesn't live on the same terrain on which you ride the hooves will not be able to properly condition to the riding surfaces. Just as if you or I live in soft, cushy slippers all winter then take them off in the spring we're going to be ouchy and tender walking/running on surfaces that have little rocks and pebbles, etc. Just stepped on a little piece of gravel yesterday HARD on my heel and I'll tell ya what .. it HURT! like the dickens. But I know that in a few weeks after being barefoot most of the time I will barely feel those little pieces of grave. The same applies to the horses. So, if your horse doesn't regularly live on gravely, hard, packed dirt surfaces but you want to ride him on it every so often you'll need to get him some boots for protection from bruising and ouchiness.

Flat footed walking has to do as much with the trim as it does with the physical condition of the hooves. I can't say one way or the other without actually seeing the hooves. Flat footed horses that live on rocks are flat footed *because* of living on the rocks .. the hoof will allow the sole to thicken and callous as protection against the rocks. But those same hooves would probably have nice concavity to them if the horses lived on sand. Again, boots would help. Old Mac G2's or Epics are both reputed to be fine boots. So are the Swiss Boots. See if you can't find someone who can help you measure your horses' hooves and get them fitted.

Hope that helps some.
:) -- Gwen <><