DE-SHOEING AN OLDER HORSE

I sometimes hear comments by owners of older horses that they like the idea of barefoot, but their horse is too old to cope without shoes, or too old to grow hoof fast enough. I have always found that old horses grow hoof at the same rate as young horses, and they take to barefoot just as readily as young horses. This case study of a 34 year old part bred arab mare illustrates the typical results of going barefoot with an old horse. 

These are her owners comments:

  "I was apprehensive about going barefoot too as she has had shoes on for pretty much all her life. I regret now not finding you sooner! The only time she did have shoes removed was about 9 years ago when she was on box rest,she was so very foot sore we had to have them put back on again, in hindsight i realise now the farrier must of taken too much foot off and we didnt give her enough time for her feet to adjust?
  Since you have been seeing to Amber ,although she has widespread arthritis,she is definatley alot more comfortable, when she was shod she had alot of trouble turning on the forehand/ tight circles. This is no longer an issue. I can now walk her on uneven surfaces without her looking 'footsore'. She looks overall alot more surefooted and now she rarely stumbles. Since purchasing the Cavallo boots we now enjoy daily walks out of about 3 miles which she really enjoys and gives her a spring in her step!
  I believe going barefoot has improved her overall quailty of life and would recommend to anyone ( especially owners of oldies) to take the plunge and put their trust in the amazing mechanics and abilties of the horses feet, i certainly haven't looked back since".

And here are the photos of her feet taken 14/6/11 and 18/1/12.

Above: Right Fore - Long toe with low dorsal wall angle and collapsed heels have corrected themselves.

Above: Right Fore -The frog is lifted off the ground and out of function. Standing on the sharp edge of a piece of metal really does not look all that comfortable!

Above: Right Fore - Heels have decontrated.

Above: Right Fore - There is an imbalance in her heels (the heels of the shoe are not level), and the hairline is being pushed up more on the high side. Once allowed to use her feet naturally the imbalance has corrected itself.

Above: Left ind. Long toe and collapsed heel. I have highlighted the low toe and heel angles and how the horn tubules are bending under the excess pressure. Once again the problem has corrected itself once the shoes were removed.

Above: Left Hind - The hoof has become shorter and wider.

    Above: Left Hind - from this view it is clear how much the heels have widened.