Horse Barefoot Management: Welfare Evidence and Practice

Barefoot hoof management — keeping horses without shoes — can improve welfare when applied appropriately, but requires informed assessment and transition management.

Key Facts

Unshod hooves in horses living on appropriate surfaces develop thicker, tougher soles than shod hooves
Barefoot management allows natural hoof mechanism — the expansion and contraction that improves blood flow
Transition from shod to barefoot requires gradual adaptation on appropriate surfaces — abrupt removal causes temporary sensitivity
Not all horses are appropriate candidates for barefoot management — individual hoof conformation and work surface matter
Hoof boots provide barefoot welfare benefits with protection for horses needing work on hard surfaces
Correctly applied and maintained shoes are welfare-neutral for most horses; poorly applied shoes cause significant welfare harm

Welfare Considerations

Barefoot hoof management, when applied appropriately, offers genuine welfare benefits through improved hoof mechanism, stronger hoof wall, and better blood flow. However, inappropriate barefoot management — abrupt removal of shoes without transition, or barefoot work on surfaces incompatible with the individual horse's hoof development — causes welfare harm through sole sensitivity and lameness. The welfare-positive approach is individualized assessment: some horses thrive barefoot; others require shoes for their specific work and environment. Good farriery and good barefoot management share the same goal — healthy, comfortable hooves that support soundness throughout the horse's working life.

What You Can Do

Consult a qualified equine podiatrist or experienced barefoot trimmer before transitioning horses from shod to barefoot
Assess your horse's work surface and conformation before committing to barefoot management
Use hoof boots during the transition period and for work on hard surfaces if your horse shows sensitivity
Ensure whatever management approach you choose — shod or barefoot — involves regular assessment by qualified professionals