Posted by Derin Foor on November 11, 2003 at 06:44:51:
In Reply to: Re: Seasonal shoeing / in need of advice posted by Phil Armitage on November 10, 2003 at 12:41:28:
: : I have a 3yr. old paint gelding. I am pasture baording and ride 2-5 days per week for 1-2 hours at a time. He has only been shod twice so far. I was told to have his shoes pulled not changed when my farrier comes out this time for the winter. Should I do this? I am still planning on riding at least a few times each week weather permitting through winter. Also the surface I mostly ride on is gravel roads.
: It does not make any sense to me why people automaticly want to pull the shoes off for winter. I think you need to ask your farrier. Every horse is different and has different needs and requirments. It can be a good thing to go barefoot for the winter, but it can also be bad it all depends on your horses feet and what the needs are.
: Phil
Barb,
Take Phil's advise and consult your farrier. I would add that generally people that pull shoes for the winter are not going to ride for several months.... if however you still plan to ride on the same rocky surfaces, then I think you would be doing your horse a disservice to remove the protection.
Derin