Barefoot horse keeping and competition is growing - hoof health management without shoes requires careful ground preparation and transitional support.
Barefoot horse keeping presents both welfare opportunities and challenges. Horses with healthy feet on appropriate ground can thrive without shoes, potentially with better hoof circulation and proprioceptive feedback. However, an ill-managed transition or inappropriate ground conditions causes lameness and pain. Welfare-focused barefoot management requires commitment to correct nutrition (mineral balance critical for hoof quality), appropriate exercise for hoof conditioning, and regular qualified hoof trimming. The decision to keep horses barefoot should be based on individual assessment of hoof health, workload, and ground conditions rather than ideology.