Barefoot Eventing

I came across this searching for something else for another thread, but thought it would be good to post it here! I think it's awesome that the chestnut, last one on the page, did a 2 star barefoot! My sister's horse went prelim barefoot but just shows that all the extra gear isn't necessary! Of course not all horses can go barefoot but still thought it was pretty cool.
The Horse's Hoof: Barefoot Eventing

I just saw the same article in the breastplate thread. My opinion is, it depends on the horse. Excel needs shoes to stay sound, Arthur has never had shoes.

Oh yeah, definitely! Not for all horses. My old event horse went three-legged lame when he had a shoe off for more than 5 minutes.

I think that horses who can event barefoot - or even go barefoot period, is wonderful.

They make boots now too for horses who are barefoot, so that you can put studs in them - like the Renegade Boots.

But just as stated, it depends on the horse. Nelson cannot go barefoot, so therefore he is shod all round. But I am envious of those who have horses who are barefoot.

Spring/summer sky is shod but wo studs, though I need to talk to my farrier since this year we are focusing on hunter paces (he doesn't event - hates xc... don't ask yes I get hunter paces are almost the same...). He is barefoot in the fall and did rather well this past fall.

Duke is barefoot and is fine usually all year. Since we plan on doing 3 events this year I will find out from my farrier IF he gets footsore again options for studs.

If the horse is sound barefoot I prefer it by far. Opal events and hunter paces (skys full sister) barefoot year round.

Oh an I do shoes fronts only on my guys that have shoes.

I always wondered, does having half and half confuse a horse? Having shoes on fronts and bare in rear seems like it would give the horse two very different feels. Do horses ever seem uncomfortable with that setup, particularly when jumping?

Buzz is barefoot and I have started eventing him, doesn't really seem to mind

Nope! With the exception of my old eventer and my sisters preliminary event horse, all of our horses are either barefoot or front shoes only. Never had a problem with just using front shoes! But that is a good idea!

We have two ponies that are barefoot at my barn, both even in games and have never taken a lame step in there life. The Morgan is a 23-24 year old mare, and the other is a 4 year old QH/Halfie grade. Both have times that could qualify for states with the right riders that actually want it (neither made it this year because their riders either weren't ready, or didn't want it).
A few horses have shoes on their front, and I believe that it does hider their ability, because neither have a good concept of where to put their feet and how to use them, but it could just be the horse in general (I'm not sure, but it's not my choice, so I don't comment). I'm working with the draft horse on both general training, games, and starting him on jumps, and he doesn't seem to be any clumsier than normal, so I don't think that front shoes have much of a difference when considering showing. But like everyone before has said, it depends on the horse most of all.
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