Transitioning horses from shod to barefoot management requires careful planning, appropriate terrain, and patience to achieve good welfare outcomes rather than causing pain during inadequate hoof adaptation.
Barefoot transition welfare depends almost entirely on management quality during the adaptation period. A horse forced to work on hard surfaces before hooves have adequately adapted suffers unnecessary pain that is entirely preventable with appropriate management. A horse transitioning correctly with hoof boots for protection, appropriate terrain choices, and dietary support can adapt successfully with minimal welfare cost and long-term welfare benefit from improved hoof biomechanics. The key welfare principle is patient, science-based transition management rather than ideological commitment to barefoot regardless of individual horse response.