Riding with cast/loose shoe

[fleabitten]

If your horse has lost a shoe or the shoe is loose - can you still ride? What if its only riding them in the arena?

Sorry, bit of a stupid question but any ideas appreciated!

[zara]

I think a lot depends on how loose, which shoe etc. Personally I wouldn't ride without a shoe as it can unbalance the horse and damage the foot. I may ride with a slightly loose shoe in an arena but again generally i wouldn't Zx

[fimacg]

if a shoe is lost completly I generally dont ride at all, if slightly loose i'll continue to ride as normal until farrier comes as long as the shoe stays in place - if shoe is half off, I'll take it off and then not ride until farrier been.

top tip is to get you farrier to show you how to safely remove a shoe as I have now had to do it twice.

[brigadier]

Problem with it being loosed is that the horse can lever it off if it strikes into it with other hoof, it may then remain attached by some nails and have exposed nails dangling. If it then treads these or it spreads and the nail goes into the frog you have a potentially fatal injury. I wouldnt say never but it rather depends on your horses hoof quality and how loose etc. Id rather remove the other shoe then ride in the arena, , ie both off behind or front. The surface should make up for the slight imbalance!

[racaille]

I'd NEVER ride with a loose shoe, for the reasons Brig has outlined. I'd always take it off. And the problem of riding without a shoe, other than a very soft arena, would be possible damage to the hoof wall, depending on the state of his feet, obviously.

When my boys lose a shoe (very very rarely) if my farrier can't get to me that day, he gets me to bind the hoof edges with elastoplast to keep them intact. But of course, as you know, all we have is stones here ...... ;D

[fleabitten]

Thanks guys that's really helpful!

[jane]

I too would never ride with a loose shoe and would tend to remove the two as Brig said. I would ride out this way.