Shoes vs. Barefoot
 

I honestly would pick barefoot over a shod horse any day. I'm more of the type to keep the horses as natural as possible. Although, many horses need shoes. Horses are much easier to maintain barefoot if they have never had shoes in the first place.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is I don't like shoes unless it's completely necessary.

It works for some, it doesn't work for others - pretaining to both.

It doesn't bother me either or -

Leave it to the professionals to decide whats best for your horse I say. They know more than I do about shoeing/horse's hooves. Some people don't like shoeing their horse, wanting to keep it natural, but a horse who is ridden regularly that doesn't have hooves that are used to the pressure really need shoes. It's more comfortable for them, my mare has shoes but my gelding doesn't. I leave the decision for the farrer.

I agree, my TB definately cannot go barefoot.

Yeah, I feel most horses can't. The farrier told me that the only way my gelding would need shoes is if I decided to do professional driving with him, haha. No thanks! I'll keep him barefoot, thanks..

lol, my Farrier says Nelson would die if he was out in the wild - I say "yeah I know, he's a pussy"

Hahahahaha!! Aw, poor Nelson.

It all depends on if the horse has good hardy hooves or if his/hers hooves are less than hard.

'Eh I ride 4 times a week and before this recent trim Gunthers feet were in amazing shape. You have to be cautious about who the farrier is too, some will lie about a horse needing shoes, they get more profit. You might think your farrier knows best but it always helps to know what your looking at and to get second opinions.