Posted by Derin Foor on October 28, 2003 at 22:53:26:
In Reply to: barefoot horses posted by Mary on October 27, 2003 at 20:12:43:
: I've read so many positive response from horse owners who have gone barefoot. I'd like to know what farriers think of this trend.
Hi Mary,
I could point out an equal number of responses from horseowners that have finally found a farrier capable of properly shoeing their horse so they can now use the horse for what they originally purchased him or her for. I don't consider going barefoot a 'trend' as you suggest, but rather an option for hoofcare if the conditions allow for it. If the horses in my care can be barefoot and sound then by all means I encourage it. However, that's not the case with all of them. Horses are shod for support, protection and alignment......sometimes this can be acheived while barefoot and sometimes not.
I think what bothers most farriers about this subject is that the true farriers like to see horses barefoot and trimmed on a regular basis when the conditions allow for it and understand when and how a horse needs to be shod when the conditions dictate they are necessary. But the die hard barefoot enthusiasts that preach 'no shoes no matter what' can't see past their own ignorance to admit that maybe, just maybe, not ALL horses can be without shoes and remain sound. And Strasserites willing to let horses be sore for long periods of time to 'adjust' to this method really do the horses a disservice and have no business even owning a horse let alone caring for his feet.
This might be the long answer to a short question, but it is how I see the situation.
Derin