
In this seven part series I sat down with one of this country’s leading farriers to tackle the age old debate of shoeing your horse verses leaving him or her barefoot. The series is both controversial and enlightening and in the end, my goal is to provide information on both sides of the fence so that you may make an informed decision about your horse’s shoeing needs.
In the first two installments, To Shoe or Not to Shoe: Part 1 and To Shoe or Not to Shoe: Part 2 I introduced the series and provided some initial shoeing factors. In To Shoe or Not to Shoe: Part 3 I covered the healthy hoof and options to protect it. Finally, in To Shoe or Not to Shoe: Part 4, my expert provided some trimming options to consider should you decide to leave your horse barefoot. In To Shoe or Not to Shoe: Part 5, we talked about reasons why an owner might choose to shoe his or her horse. You’ll want a quality farrier to guide you along the way so in last week’s post, To Shoe or Not to Shoe: Part 6, I covered how to select and keep a quality farrier. Regardless of your eventual decision, optimal hoof care is your goal. That’s why I’m ending the series with a post on how to provide just that. Continue reading →