We all need to be realistic every area of our USA is very different and all our horses needs will be different , THANKS FOR THE GREAT INFO FROM EVERYONE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!!

Actually, in most cases, if horses' feet are trimmed correctly and the horses are kept in a place where there is sand and rock and if they are allowed to roam around and run on it at will (circulation is important), the sand, shale, etc. will make the soles tougher and the hoof walls thicker and stronger and help keep the hooves short . . . It's when we keep our horses either untrimmed or shod, and standing in stalls or small paddocks on soft ground, that we are faced with many of the problems we have with lameness. If you look at the ground on which most Mustangs run, you will see that it is some of the most rocky, rough to be found.

There are alot of different opinions out there on foot care for horses, I personally leave my horses bare foot because as my cousin put it to me "you don't see people chasing the mustangs around to trim or shoe them". Horses have been taking care of their own feet long before people. I have one little mare that your hoof angle stuff will never apply to. Because for her and due to bad care before I got her, her hoof will never look like a hoof should look again. In my experence not all horses are the same and never will be. I have been lucky to have owned horses that have good hard feet, and lets face it sand and rock are not the best on a horses feet. But out here there is not much else for them to walk on. And it is also my opinion that people have come up with this "natural shoeing", there is nothing natural about putting shoes or boots on a horse. But this is just my opinion, sorry if it upsets any one

Nevada, Horses left unshod do not always naturally find the right balance or angle. I know because I tried to go barefoot and it only caused more problems that it was worth. My horse was never lame a day in his life untill I tried to go barefoot. my horse was wearing his hoof wrong and I had to put his shoes back on. Plus the hoof was so short the farrier could not fix the angle because there was nothing to trim. It was a mess.

OMG!!! I was at a garage sale, and they saw my magnet on truck and wanted to show off their two. Their hooves were so back I could not stop myself from saying something. When we came back to the fence, Mom said something also. These hooves were chipped and squared off due to overgrowth and chipping. There was at least an inch (at the min) that needed to come off! These ppl actually talked about being in the saddle with these geldings. No hoof, no leg, no horse!!! How do we get regular horse owners to take responsibility for their horses hooves?! This was the second sale in a month this happened. The first one was worse than this one. The ppl actually said "they are our babies". I replied "Then why can't you take care of their hooves?" I was met with a glare that would kill a beast. These hooves were at least a year or two without trims.

No foot no horse.....

THATS VERY INTERESTING! we can all pick up a book and read many things some good some not , i have been around horses my Whole life and actually shod years ago way to hard of work , yea i said it ! which i have read about every thing out there and you all have different opinions thats good thats how we learn ! i work with two farriers that have been shoeing horses longer than i have been alive ! there is no book going to teach you experience sorry! they also teach horse shoeing and college classes thats where i get my experience , where did you get yours? oh yeah probably from a school like my friends teach, also to know the exact angle the way a horses legs should be you need vet. equipment which i really doubt you carry with you when you shoe !!! thanks for your comment . have a great day every one!!

What about the thought: when a horse is left barefooted, the hoof will always seek the appropriate angle for the whole leg. (?)

Racetrainer I read your post. It is interesting. I have been a professional farrier for 15 years and you are correct on 1 or 2 points but you have remember not all horses are the same. As far as degrees on the horse there have been multiple studies done at Kentucky Horse Park and also at Colorado State better known as Fort Collins Equine. With what you are stating I will ask this question and hope not to rile you to much. How many horses do you shoe in a day and where did you get your formal education in Farrier Science and practical shoeing knowledge? I have shoed every type of equine from minis to drafts and yes a lot of race horses in Raton. The angles of a horse are based on what? The angle of the scapula, P1, P2, or the Metacarpal bones or is stress to the Suspensory and Deep Flexor Tendon have anything to do with it. Shoeing any horse is a science not whack and tack. We no longer pin fire horses or put aggressive shoes on in order to make them move UN naturally any more. At least I don't. It is a well known fact that all race horses regardless if they are Thoroughbred or AQHA have the worst feet out there. Dont jump until you know the science and bio mechanics. Dont worry I here it every day when I back the toe up on a horse and shoe to the boney structure of the horse, people are not use to seeing a horse shoed properly. There is a great book out there to look at it is by Dr. Doug Butler, Principles of shoeing 3. It is a great read and covers all types of shoeing for all horses.

Hi Racetrainer, You present some extremely valid points. I like that you stick to the facts and focus on the horse. After all, if we don't ensure our horses are running and performing as freely and as comfortable as possible we really aren't doing our job are we...? There are many opinions but it really boils down to what you are asking your horse to do and what your horse needs. People who can't tell their horses are sore probably shouldn't own a horse. Natural balance works for some horses and not for others. Rim shoes work for me when I am barrel racing but they probably don't work for you at the track.... So in closing....I love your thought process RT - I agree - gauging is a necessary and to those that don't get it....I suggest they take the time to meet with their horse and listen to what he/she is telling you. You will be surprised what you will hear.