Debunking the Myth: Are Horses Able to Live Without Shoes?

Expert Farrier Stephen Teichman Offers Insights on Barefoot vs Shoeing Horses

Stephen Teichman, a renowned farrier with a distinguished career spanning over four decades, shares his expertise on the age-old debate of whether horses should be shod or go barefoot.

Teichman's journey began in 1973 when he started shoeing Standardbred horses in central Delaware. His career trajectory took an interesting turn in 1980, when he worked as an intern for the University of Pennsylvania farriers' shop at the New Bolton Center. This experience laid the foundation for his extensive knowledge in equine locomotion.

Fast forward to today, Teichman holds a BA in Biology and a MA in Equine Locomotion Research from the Royal Veterinary College in England. His impressive resume includes shodding horses for Kings and Queens, working at six Olympic Games, six Pan American games, and the European Open for the United States Equestrian Team.

According to Teichman, the decision between barefoot and shoeing should be based on the horse's structure, development, lifestyle, and athletic demands. He believes that shoes are important for top athletes, especially when traveling, as they help mitigate problems related to the horse's hoof sensitivity to the environment.

However, Teichman is not a proponent of a one-size-fits-all approach. He emphasizes that the best option for a horse depends on the situation and the horse's individual needs. For instance, glue-on shoes can last for a long time and have improved significantly in recent years, making them a great alternative for trail riders and pleasure riders.

However, glue-on shoes may become slippery when riding advances to a more competitive level. In such cases, a competitive sport horse should be shod especially if it requires protection and support for high-performance work, improved traction on various surfaces, prevention of hoof damage, and correction or support of hoof and leg conformation to optimize performance and prevent injury.

Teichman's career goal is to see great horses go barefoot as long as possible before shoes, but he is always for what is of the best interest of the horse. He acknowledges that it takes about 5 years for a horse's hoof to fully develop, and during this period, it is crucial to consider both the horse's health and the environment when making decisions about horseshoes or going barefoot.

The horse hoof, much like one's fingernails getting soft in water or curly hair in the shower, reacts to the environment and climate. Whether a pleasure rider stays in one climate or a competitive show jumper frequents multiple locations, the decision should always be based on the horse's health and the specific circumstances.

In conclusion, Teichman's advice is simple: what matters most is what is best for the horse's health. It is important to consider the horse's comfort, the environment in which the horse lives, and the horse's specific needs when making the decision between barefoot and shoeing. After all, the goal is to keep our equine friends sound and happy, enabling them to perform at their best.