I used to have shoes and went barefoot 3 years ago,  We ride some incredible stuff.  My horses can go ANYWHERE for a one day ride. I have to watch their feet if I ride 2-3-4 days in a row. So I always bring boots and put them on if the horses get kinda ouchie.  I find my horses are MUCH more sure footed on big rocks when barefoot. They seem to be able to feel where the footing is, less slipping and sliding on the rock surface. Although I do find the steel shoes dig in on sandstone slick rock better than a bare foot horse.

I think nothing of riding my horses down rocky trails like these barefoot.

My horses feet after two days of riding ( over 40 miles of rocky trails)

I believe the embalming fluid calamityj is speaking of is Formaldehyde. Many people use this mixed with a strong tincture of Iodine to toughen their horse's feet. I don't agree with using it as it will kill any live tissue that it touches.

My horses go barefoot the majority of the time and could probably go barefoot for some rocky riding. However, I figure when I go riding in these places it is my vacation which could easily be ruined by a stone bruise. We use shoes, pads and some borium nails when we go riding in the mountains. I got tired of putting on and taking off boots. It wore me out! Shoes are much easier for a short period of daily riding on rough terrain.

For a trip like Bobs, I 'd just glue on a set of Easyboot Glu-ons and forgot about them for 15 days.  I've also applied the Vettec Sole-Guard and left it on for 15 days.  Either solution is an apply and forgot about for several weeks.  And the horse is still basically barefoot and can be returned to a barefoot status with no nail holes or side effects of a temporary shoe.

My horses have great concavity.  But no amount of concavity will bridge every rock you find in the wild. But hoof bruising has never been my problem.  I think they just get tender from pressures ont he white line/lamini.

I find keg steel shoes to be very slick on large slabs of granite like we find in the Wind Rivers and other Wyoming mountains.  The borium studs would help with this, but then you have to deal with studs 24x7. And sometimes I want my horses feet to slide or have some give. I don't like twisted knees or ankles. I hate shoes getting caught up between rocks on extreme rock trails.  Aluminum shoes work GREAT on granite, but alas they wear out quickly. A barefoot horse or one with rubber boots has better grip on slick granite.

I agree.  There was a thread on here some time back about some boots that had a cage over the bulb of the heel.. From what I remember posters saying, they were very easy to put on and take off.. I'm trying to remember the name..hoping it comes to me as I type.... I remember that they come in a bunch of great colors, black yellow bronze, orange, etc. At last check they were @ 150.00-160.00/pr, I think.

Renegade is the name.. I knew I would remember it if I tried..

I think one has to be flexible when it come to shoes. I don't understand the mentality of NO SHOES! SHOES BAD! If a horse needs the protection and support of iron, then shoe'm. Some horses need pads, so put them on. Some do not- so don't. Instead of grasping some ideology why not just do what the horse needs to stay sound,comfortable and serviceable? Some horses have naturally good feet and some just don't.Do what is in the best interest of the horse.

  What a concept!!!!