Are any of you who are comepeting dressage riding barefoot horses?  I've got a 5 yr old arab/saddlebred(?)  gelding, very nice mover with great feet.  He had shoes on for about 6 months then I decided to have them removed and now use the renagade hoof boots when we're on the trail. 

 He's had shoes off about 3 months and is doing fine in the ring- I can't feel any difference but my instructor says he needs shoes for support and so he can push off better.  We've just started competing in first level and he's done very well so far. 

There are lots of people around here  who keep shoes on their horses just to give them that "finished" look but I'd rather not use them if we don't have to.

This site has photos of upper level dressage horses, Wie Weltmeyer and Diamond Hit, that compete barefoot. http://www.hoofcareunltd.com/Emma%20Hindle.htm

You can ,also, look at the thread I started asking my questions about competing barefoot on eWarmbloods.net at  http://www.ewarmbloods.net/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=23432

If your horse is comfortable, why change?

Marla

I guess that depends on the horse. Shoes can help a horse move better,break over sharper and round up the front legs.Horse that move flat,daisy cutter if you will, do not look as attractive as one that picks up their feet more. Its all about quality of gait and the presentation. Footing can also pose a problem. Some horses might need some "grab" in deeper arenas not to mention the need for some grab to do upper level work.

Shoeing a horse isn't necesarrily a bad thing. Some horse need the foot support of a shoe, some don't. Some horse move better with proper shoeing and other are simply talented and don't need the help. If I trusted the advice of my trainer, I would try shoeing the horse and see. If its not working or doesn't make a difference, then you can always take them off.

well... I do  like this trainer and have a lot of faith in her judgement.   I'm not dead set against shoes,  but I respectfully disagree w/ her that EVERY horse needs them.   we'll continue to train barefoot and re evaluate in the spring.  this gelding is very athletic, has good feet and I can't tell a difference in the way he moves with or with out shoes.  he's consistantly getting "8's" on his extended trot and last week another trainer watched him move and even commented how well he carries himself. 

I've shown to I-1 and lots of people show without shoes in my neck of the woods.  I used to, but one of the local arenas has footing that files off the hoof like an emery board! 

One trainer I know thinks that as the horse is asked to shift weight more to the hindquarters, shoes should be added to be sure that it's as easy as possible for the horse to comply.

One reason that I like showing English rather than western is because there is less "chrome" and "spit and polish" to deal with.  I've never scribed for a judge that ever mentioned a horse being barefoot.