How Do I Know If My Horse Needs Shoes?
- Dennis Cappel
- Feb 24
- 2 min read
Clear Mental Horsemanship with Dennis Cappel
This is a never-ending question: How do I know when my horse needs shoes? My simple answer is this: When the horse tells you.
There are so many different schools of thought out there today that even seasoned professionals can get confused about the “right” answer. Barefoot, shod, performance packages, natural trim, and corrective shoeing can get overwhelming.
I believe the most honest place to start is common sense.
Comfort Is King
The comfort of the horse is king.
Protection on the bottom of the foot is where that comfort comes from. And how it functions matters far more than how it looks.
If your horse is comfortable and able to do the job you are asking him to do, then what you are doing is most likely working.
If your horse is:
· Tender on gravel
· Struggling in the terrain you ride in
· Short-strided or hesitant
· Wearing his feet faster than they grow
Then it may be time to at least look at another solution.
Growth Is Constant
Excess growth, distortion, or flaring are signs that maintenance needs to happen. Hooves are constantly growing and constantly changing under weight-bearing.
You can hire a professional to perfectly balance the foot today, but once they leave, the foot immediately begins moving out of balance again. That is not failure, that is natural growth.
The question is not whether the foot will change.
It is whether it is being maintained properly for what the horse is asked to do.
What Is Your Horse’s Job?
Ask yourself:
· Is your horse mostly roaming pasture and doing little work? → Many horses in this situation are better off barefoot.
· Are you riding rocky terrain, especially in wet conditions? → Protection may greatly improve comfort.
· Are you asking for high-level performance? → The correct application of support on the bottom of the foot can improve both performance and longevity.
Shoes are not about appearance; they are about protection and support for the job at hand.
Barefoot vs. Shod is not a Religion
In many cases, horses are better off barefoot than wearing poorly applied shoes. We should never force a horse to wear our opinion.
All farriers are not created equal.
All horses are not the same.
Finding the right match for your horse, someone confident and knowledgeable who understands your goals, is often a better question than simply asking, “Does my horse need shoes?”
A trusted professional will guide you based on your horse’s comfort, workload, and long-term soundness.
At the end of the day, the horse will tell you what he needs.
Your job is to listen.
Mindful Riding,
Dennis Cappel
Classes Coming 2026:
Horse Trimming Class
April 18th, 2026
Cow Horse Training Weekend
May 16th, 2026
Weekend Horse Shoeing
August 14-16th, 2026
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