Horses aren't born with shoes on - therefore they are unnatural by
definition. Whether they actually need them or not has been the subject
of many debates in the horse world in recent times.
Horseshoes were invented to protect and balance the equine foot. In
early times there was little understanding of how shoeing would affect
the horse, so any detrimental effects were probably overlooked.
Research shows that the shoe does have detrimental effects to the
horse. Nailing on an inflexible steel shoe can cause the foot to become
contracted, damage the laminae, decrease the circulation in the foot
and increase the force of impact as the horse's foot hits the ground.
Going barefooted would prevent all these problems, but could it create
others?
The answer is yes, as due to domestication we have changed the horse
and his environment so he may not be able to cope without shoes. A
study by farrier Gene Ovnicek (1987) found significant differences
between wild and domesticated horses foot structure. Here is a summary
of the differences:
| |
WILD HORSE |
DOMESTIC HORSE |
| TOE LENGTH |
SHORT (2-7/8" TO 3-1/8") |
LONG (OVER 3-1/4") |
| FLARES |
No anterior flare |
Less than the hoof wall |
| SOLE THICKNESS |
Equal to or greater than the hoof
wall |
Less than the hoof wall |
| BREAKOVER |
1-1/4" from frog apex |
Average 2" or more from frog apex
|
| MASS DISTRIBUTION |
Greater towards rear of foot (2/3
behind widest part of foot) |
Greater towards front of foot (1/2
to 2/3 of mass in front of the widest part of the foot) |
| RING PATTERNS (hoof wall) |
Non existent |
Common |
| COFFIN (P3) bone support |
Sole, bars, frog |
No support in shod foot (unless
dirt is allowed to pack in foot) |
| HEEL LENGTH |
On hard terrain, heel worn back
to widest part of frog. |
Heels usually too long and/or growing
forward. |
| HOOF ANGLE |
55o |
50o to 65o
|
(Ref: Rediscovering the Natural Hoof, Kim
Henneman, D.V.M.)
To see the rest of Ovnicek's study click
here
In the wild only those horses with the strongest feet survived to
reproduce and pass their genes on to the next generation. In the domestic
situation this is not the case. Many horses are allowed to breed despite
having all kinds of foot problems and even in organised breeding programmes
foot conformation has not been a high priority. These horses then
require special shoes or remedial farriery to stay sound.
Then there is the horse's environment to consider. The horse that
is stabled for the majority of the day and engaged in strenuous activities,
particularly a lot of roadwork, is unlikely to go well barefooted.
Without shoes, this horse's hoof wall may become damaged by contact
with ammonia in dirty bedding and the roadwork will cause excessive
wear.
To be most successful 'natural' (barefooted) hoofcare needs to be
included as part of an all round natural approach, where we try to
mimic the wild horse's environment as much as possible. (e.g. plenty
of turnout, social interaction, regular feeding etc)
If you are thinking of allowing your horse to go unshod the best thing
to do is consult your farrier who can advise if your horse's conformation
and hoof characteristics are suitable.
The change over period is not quick. The unshod hoof has to go through
an adapting process which can cause discomfort and lameness. Ridden
work has to be introduced gradually and there is no guarantee the
horse will fully adapt. Regular visits by the farrier are very important,
and are usually more frequent - around every 4-6 weeks - as opposed
to every 6-8 weeks for the shod horse.
While many of the current generation of horses will not be able to
go unshod, by putting more emphasis on foot conformation and hoof
quality when breeding, we may be able to produce more horses able
to go barefooted. Greater awareness of the benefits of not shoeing
may also mean young horses are not automatically shod just because
it is traditional.
Does your horse wear shoes? Has your horse changed from shod to unshod
successfully or unsuccessfully? What are your views on shoeing?
Let us know on the
'Horse Care' discussion board. |
