Can BAREFOOT HORSES really WIN?

Is it possible that barefooters could be winning in top level competitions all over the world, in lots of different disciplines? Aren't barefoot horses really only useful as paddock ornaments?
Lindsay Setchell, BSc (Hans), PGCE, HMB Pro Instructor
Founder: Hoofing Marvellous & the HM International School of Horse & Hoof Care
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[@lissagilliver1846]

LOVE THIS! I have just taken my second OTTB barefoot and he is showing fantastic movement and more willingness to go forward. His hooves were very bad, flared at the toe with a crack in one of the fronts that had been cut out to try to halt the crack, and so made it look a bit like a cow’s hoof, plus contracted heels. When he arrived 5 months ago, the agistment property owner (knowing I was going to take his shoes off) said to me “he probably needs shoes to hold that hoof together”. She thought I was crazy, but his hooves are looking so much better just 5 months later! I trim every weekend to keep him as balanced as possible all the time, and so the improvement has been quite fast. He was sold to me as more whoa than go, but I now think that soreness was driving this. I do use boots whenever I ride, but am working towards eventing him barehoofed. He actually has great heels for a TB (not underrun) and has good concavity, so I think he will be able to be barehoofed even in XC. I struggle to understand why more people don’t research about their horses hooves, or want to know more - once you start looking at the information, barefoot has so many benefits

[@lindsaysetchell]

Barefoot is best always :)

[@berlin_3099]

i’ve been thinking about taking the shoes of my mare but a lot of showjumping competitions here are on grass and worry about her slipping on damp grass without studs in her shoes at a higher level. she has great hooves and could definitely go barefoot but that’s my only concern. i’m not a fan of shoes and studs but i’d rather that than risking her slipping and getting hurt🥲

[@lindsaysetchell]

Absolutely possible. From the reports we get, the incidences of slipping on grass barefoot are at best barely obvious, and at worst comparable to horses with shoes & studs. Healthy bare hooves are so sure footed and the horn shape and hoof mechanism are not even similar to a slippery metal shoe without studs… which is where all the concern about slipping came from originally. Some show jumping competitors jump in boots (another video ;) ) and swear by it, but tbh, once your horse has transitioned the healthy hoof will way outstrips the metal. Plus shoes cause problems with proprioception, circulation, joints etc which is another reason shod horses are not so sure footed and are more likely to slip. So go for it, your horse will be forever grateful 💪🥰

[@rebeccacallaghan4789]

Absolutely yes x

[@lindsaysetchell]

❤️👍💪

[@NATURALBEEKEEPERSCOLLECTIVE]

There are a few racing trainers now who run barefoot. Sadly though some tracks dont allow it for what ever reason in USA etc I wont name drop here but some horses in the Kipligcotes Derby have been barefoot over the years and won. No hoof problems. I mean who shoes all the wild horses that often live in rocky mountainous terrain and constantly on the move for aout 18 hours of every day to find food and avoid predators? The truth is shoes make it more difficult for a horse to balance. You only have to look at one that is wearing shoes for the first time. They only really need them when pulling carts on roads etc

[@lindsaysetchell]

Yes shoes are a big problem for horses :(

[@hessaalsuwaidi5321]

Hello Lindsay! I just transitioned my horse to barefoot a month ago. He’s a 7 year old endurance horse who has been qualified before wearing metal shoes. The next endurance season starts in a few months and im planning to let him run barefooted. I read about hoof boots but I need to note that in Dubai, races and qualifiers are in deep sand. Are they necessary in your opinion? What tips can you give me to prepare my horse for his first season running barefooted? Thanks!!

[@lindsaysetchell]

We hope your season went well. Best way to prepare a horse is to get the diet right and then to keep the exercise going barefoot 👍

[@jenniferrayburndehay8332]

My TB has gone barefoot for over six years. He competes in show jumping and wins. And it's Saud TB's are thin soled...nonsense.

[@lindsaysetchell]

Yep, nonsense 👍

[@punkaakee]

It’s illegal to race barefoot at many tracks

[@lindsaysetchell]

There are rules for certain types of racing. Flat racing in the UK for instance bus allowed barefoot, but not steeplechase. In Australia, Arabians are allowed to race barefoot, usually at the end of a race meet after the TB’s. Racing quarter horses on the flat is allowed barefoot. More recent horse trainers are turning to barefoot for more and more races, so track rules are changing 👍