Should you boot an unshod horse?
My horse is unshod on her hind feet. Does she have to wear protective boots?
I should have made myself clearer. I meant boots to protect the legs (brushing boots), not hoof boots.
I’m not asking about whether shoeing is a good idea or not.
I want to know if horse’s legs still need protection from self inflicted wounds if unshod, since it is the shoe that does the most damage when a horse brushes.
The answer is: yes!
Horses without shoes can still do a pretty good number on themselves. I’ve seen one clip a front shoe, and tear off the front toe of the unshod foot. I’ve seen unshod horses, accidentally brush their backlegs, and cut open the skin!
Because she is shod in front, you want to be extra careful because if she over reaches those shoes can damage her back feet! I would make sure she is wearing bell boots or quarter boots on her front feet to lessen this risk.
Most of the boots and splints and wraps are put on not just to protect the horse from shod feet, but also to keep the ligaments, tendons and muscles warm and safe. Even a barefoot horse can nick himself with a foot and rip open the skin on his legs, or the foot in front of it!
My mare is unshod in winter, and even then she wears her splint boots, bell boots, and polo wraps when we work her.
So I would use the protective gear even if she is unshod behind, it’s all just a precaution, and I personally would rather be safe than sorry (and owing the vet a ton of $$!).
Fitting Horse Boots.mpg