Can I shoe my 2 1/2 yr old quarter horse? Is he too young yet??

I own a 2 1/2 yr old quarter horse/mustang, hes an exceptional colt, he pretty much trained himself, never had any problems with him as far as him acting nippy, or striking, or trying to push his way into my space, he respects my space, he loads, trims good, stands while being saddle, saddle broke, bit broke, bomb proof, never been around a horse so young who acts like he does, bought him when he was five months and hes been well mannered every since. Had him gelded when he was 15months, I want to train him for barrel racing and will use him on trail rides, I light work him on soft ground 3x a week for maybe 30 minutes or lunge him for 20 minutes, we have a lot of pavement around too, but my farrier said I could put front shoes on him now and when he's 3 yrs old we can put shoes on all four. Whats the youngest you should shoe your horse or is there a certain age?

Can I shoe my 2 1/2 yr old quarter horse? Is he too young yet??
I'm just curious...does he NEED shoes? They do so much better without them. A shoe will not allow the hoof to expand and contract like it should. A shoe holds the hoof in a 'set' form. It also decreases blood to the hoof. And he still has some growing to do...hooves included.





Unless he is standing on concrete all day...think of this...an expanding hoof that hits the ground..absorbs the concussion and spreads it out. A shoed hoof will just 'clang' and send the concussion up the hoof into the leg.





I'm NOT against shoeing at all. I've used them too...when the horse NEEDS it. Like when the hoof gets worn down...faster than it can grow. Or for hoof or soundness issues.





Many gamers go barefoot and still compete. And from your exercise program that you said...that shouldn't wear it down...unless he's only on soft ground and then you put him on something rocky and work him on it...that he's not used to.





I'm totally FOR going barefoot. But you need a farrier that is a certified barefoot trimmer. They are DIFFERENT than a farrier that only puts on shoes. The hoof is shaped different for a set of shoes than for a trim. It's also WAY cheaper. My trim call is $35 dollars...as opposed to $90 for a set of shoes.





Again...unless he NEEDS them...I wouldn't do it. Here's a website about barefoot trimming...it's really good...


http://www.thenakedhoof.com.au/





Please take the time to check it out!!





**EDIT...I have shoed mine when I began working them all the time. Starting about 2 1/2 to 3 years old. Basically when they begin carrying the rider's weight. That's probably why your farrier wants them on the front...a horse carries most of his weight on his front legs. They will get the most wear when a rider is on them. I don't think he's too young if that's what you're asking. I did it with my farrier's advice. Go with yours...he knows your horse's feet.
Reply:Go with your farrier's suggestions. Just remember to clean them well if he's walking on pavement. Those smnall stones can be a problem.
Reply:I would say too young, follow your Farrier's advice



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