Scout was a classic, Quarter Horse, western pleasure, show horse.  He was started very young and trained hard.  At 8 years old, he was talented but a small hoofed, front loaded, narrow-based, toe walker who was getting more stiff and sour in the year and a half we had him.  It was our farrier who suggested a need for change.

    It was a multifaceted discussion by owners, farrier and vet to pull his back shoes in May 2005.  Although everyone had “agreed” it was more to placate us, I think, knowing our “experiment” would surely fail.  After pulling the shoes, a “pasture trim” and a limping horse, their predictions seemed fulfilled.  Determined to do better for this horse, not to succumb to, “because this is the way it’s always done” and being pig-headed, our vet suggested we sit in on an evening lecture on barefoot horses.  My teenage son, the rider and Scout’s best friend and I listened to the physics, mechanics and technical aspect of horse, hooves and bare footedness.  It made us more determined we were on the right path and literally pleaded for help.

    With the guidance of an equine podiatrist/barefoot trimmer, we applied pads, boots, received a new trim and hand walked.  Walked and walked.  We board Scout in less than ideal barefoot conditions for turnout time, terrain and support so, we got up before dawn to get him outside in his boots and came to take them off and work Scout as he was able.  Some days were better than others and there were lots of questions. Without the support of our equine podiatrist/trimmer, we NEVER would have made it.  Scout’s rear hooves were transitioning, it was nerve wracking but with each step we took we knew it was one step closer to better health for him.

    We stuck to the ring and predictable footing, ever increasing his time out of boots.  By mid August his hooves had built up enough for “the boys” to attend their first in-state AQHA level show and received their first points as a team!

As the back feet grew past the nail holes we saw the front feet for what they were; long toed, small hooves breaking down, contracted heels and no frog to speak of.  We pulled the front shoes at the end of September.  The process began again, but we were much better prepared and our support was in place. Other boarders began to look at their horse’s feet and ask questions.

     This summer, Scout’s hooves are still changing, we are still learning.  We have a full slate of shows instate and out of state.  At every show, someone asks why barefoot. On the trail he happily wears his boots.

Many have observed the change in Scout; strong, supple, relaxed and healthy.  A recent AQHA judge said, “One of the best trail horses he has seen in a long time.” Plus, a young, more educated and determined rider wanting to do better than “show and throw” this beautiful Quarter Horse gelding.  Every literal step was, and is, worth it.