The Equestrian Blog

Navicular in Horses & Barefoot Riding

We've just completed the Navicular in Horses section on the main site and while doing so we had to go back over the treatment and care of our own horse Bramble, who we lost because of navicular and arthritis a few years ago.

One of the things we looked at was unshod or barefoot horses in relation to navicular treatments and we've been so surprised and impressed with some of the things we've found, that we just had to mention it here.

One item details the story of a 22 yr old 16.2hh, ID x TB called Ghost, who jumps barefoot despite being formerly diagnosed with navicular...  

He had flat feet, a twisted foot, weak digital cushions and prolapsed frogs but Ghost is now back in full work, doing what he loves best - jumping and competing. More about him here.

You'll have to read the full navicular section to appreciate the facts but if barefoot horses can recover and ride over ground like that in their video of the hack on Exmoor, then it's got to be worth considering.

Of course the old adage of 'Horse for Courses' applies here as well as in most other things.

Barefoot may not suit all horses but we're definitely thinking about it for our horses and we'll be looking to include a section on going barefoot within the main site.