My farrier says my new horse needs shoes because his soles are bruised from being barefoot. Would shoes eliminate that problem?
A. No, shoes would have no bearing on this problem, if there actually is a problem, except possibly to worsen the condition. Discoloration of the sole can be caused by one of several things, not one of which is bruising from going barefoot. In white soles, discoloration may simply be pigmentation. If there is actual bruising, by the time we can see it in the hoof, it’s typically caused by a past event, and more likely the “bruising” would be caused by a stress factor influenced by trauma on the inside of the hoof capsule, not the outside. Neglect, poor diet, improper trimming techniques, and horse shoes are some of the factors that will cause trauma to the interior of the hoof capsule.
