Transitioning horses from shoes to barefoot management raises welfare questions about the transition period and long-term suitability for different horses and workloads.
The barefoot transition debate reflects a welfare tension between two legitimate positions: the evidence that well-managed barefoot horses develop healthier hooves with better circulation and natural wear, and the reality that the transition period can cause significant discomfort if managed poorly or attempted on unsuitable candidates. Welfare-centered barefoot management accepts that the transition has a welfare cost that must be managed through appropriate terrain, hoof boots, and diet support, and that not every horse is a suitable candidate. Ideological commitment to barefoot as always superior ignores welfare evidence; wholesale rejection of barefoot ignores its documented benefits for appropriate candidates.