At Main Stay, we understand the vital role that hoof care plays in the overall health and well-being of our incredible herd of horses. As part of International Hoof Care Week (January 21-24, 2025), we’re excited to share insights into how we approach hoof care and the thoughtful considerations that go into every decision we make for our herd!
Regular farrier care is crucial for horses, whether they are barefoot or a shod horse but how do we decide whether a horse will wear shoes or not?
The decision to shoe a horse or keep them barefoot depends on various factors like their environment, job, and conformation. We work with our team of farriers and veterinarian to consider the following for every horse at Main Stay:
- Hoof structure and angles
- Physical body structure
- Sensitivities and comfort level
- Previous history
- Xray diagnostics
Our goal for our horses is to maintain a primarily barefoot herd due to the ability for more natural movement and the natural shock absorption properties, which in turn reduces joint strain in our horses, increasing the longevity of our working animals.
Often many of our incoming new horses may transition to barefoot. This can take approximately one month per year of previous shoeing, to create gradual changes. Even after transition barefoot horses still require regular farrier care to maintain healthy hooves. Our consistent schedule of every 6-8 weeks ensures proper balance, prevents overgrowth, and reduces the risk of potential injury.
Asher is a great example of the trial and error that comes with hoof care. Asher came to us in shoes and while we tried to transition him to barefoot he made it clear to us he was more interested in the support the shoes he was used to offered him.
For the short time he was barefoot we provided him additional protection through the use of HoofArmor. HoofArmor is a two-part epoxy that cures to the bottom of the hoof and is strong enough to stand up to abrasive surfaces and chipping but remain flexible enough to flex with the natural hoof movement and expansion. Additionally, we supplement his diet with NuHoof, which adds essential amino acids and biotin to his diet to provide even further support in his hoof health.
Ultimately, there’s NO one-size-fits-all answer. The best choice for each horse is highly dependent on their personal needs. Some horses thrive barefoot, while others benefit from the added protection and support of shoes. Regardless, regular farrier care is essential to the long-term health and fitness of any horse and to maintain optimal hoof health and function for a healthy and happy therapy horse here at Main Stay!
