Hooves & Shoes

Question
Hi TJ.  My husband and I have only owned horses for the past four years.  We rely on reading and researching as well as asking our vets and farriers for anything horse-related.  We have just recently moved with our animals to a new province (we are in Canada) and have had to search out a new farrier.  I own a 12 yr old morgan gelding that not only has hypothyroidism, but has had a history of foundering in the past (twice that we know of).
We have kept all four feet shod for the last year and a half and he had been doing fine.  Our new farrier suggested removing all four for the winter time (it gets pretty cold here in Manitoba)stating that when it gets cold, the shoes could cause problems with arthritis.  I had never heard of this before.  Your thoughts....
Now that he no longer wears shoes, needless to say he is tender footed.  It has been two weeks since his shoes were taken off and he still walks tenderly and very slow.  He is out in the pasture 24-7 and the ground is fairly sandy.  His feet are not hot to the touch and show no signs of bruising. He does not appear to be injured nor are there any signs of swelling.  Other than his walking, he has his usual appetite and demeanor.
I feel helpless and am thinking I should call on the vet.  Your help would be greatly appreciated.  
Thanks so much....Babs


Answer
Babs thanks for the question.. I strongly believe that given your horses' history not only should he remain shod, but possibly with a good hart bar shoe (providing your farrier has had experience with the appllcation)I, myself have never heard of shoeing a horse causing arthritis, nor do I believe that it in any way could. If in doubt for any reason about your horses health care,consult with your vet even if by phone.I'm very sure given the hypothyroidism and history of founder will get the same result calling for a need for not only  year round, but lifetime shoes.Hart bar shoes when  applied correctly help support the coffin bone from the effects of rotation(downward)that is a result of founder.Since you stated you are a reader, a good medical based magazine trageted to equine medical professionals called THE HORSE has a very good article on this subject this month with some well written information about the subject of founder and shoeing.  also The American Farriers Journal is great the latest in all shoeing news for the professional farrier (www.AMERICANFARRIERS.COM if you can't find it near you ) So please keep up the good work and do consult with your vet and keep in mind that if the horse was comfortable and servicable in shoes why take them away when the ground becomes hard as a rock. The logic in this always confused me (put the shoes on when the footing is good, take them off when the footing is bad!?)In most cases if a horse needs shoes while you are in riding season, the horse just needs shoes!   Good Luck and Good Riding   TJ