barefoot to shoes

Question
My QH gelding has been barefoot since the fall.  It is my practice to pull his shoes for the winter.  last summer/fall, he was lame, mystery lameness, but some where in the foot as evidenced by the nerve block.  X-rays had his navicular bone looking very good, so good the vets were surprised at his age, 22.  
He is fully sound and we have started working again.  we do distance riding but not the hard core long distance, mostly 15-25 miles.  here's my question, im afraid to put his shoes back on..he's sound so don't mess with it.  but im afraid he may get grit/gravel in his hoof, white line??  he's on 24 hour turn out so i never worry about thrush and he has very strong hooves--no chipping, cracking, peeling, nothing, he holds shoes just fine w/o clips etc.

what's the likelihood of him getting grit in his feet?  am i worrying for nothing.  I've always been a fan of "au natural" as mother nature made them, but don't know if the small grit/gravel on sides of roads, and trails can get imbedded and cause problems.

sorry for the ramble.. but i appreciate some professional insight here

Answer
Hi Janet ... Sounds like he's a very lucky horse to have you taking such good care of him!  I wouldn't worry at all about grit ... if his hooves are as strong and solid as you say they are then they are made for being barefoot. After all ... they aren't born with shoes on their hooves!  No worry ... just see to it that his hooves stay balanced and leveled and keep on riding him. That's the best medicine!

:) -- Gwen