People have been attaching shoes of one kind or another onto their horses’ hooves since at least 400 BC. They’ve been excavated by archaeologists and are mentioned in writings from that time. Before that, it’s known that many riders tried to attach boots to their mounts’ feet made of leather or leaves. That tradition has continued on to present times, in an effort to protect the hoof capsule of domesticated horses. Most horses in competition and many used for pleasure riding are fitted with metal shoes. But not all – and interest in keeping horses barefoot has grown significantly in recent years.

Anne Riddell started off raising and showing hunter ponies. It’s not uncommon to leave ponies unshod; they have a reputation for having tough little hooves and many compete barefoot. She was pleased by how healthy the ponies’ feet were.

When she and her partner decided to enter the Thoroughbred racing industry in 2000, she said she “felt strongly that my racehorses didn’t need shoes either. We have the technology and research today that demonstrates the detrimental effects of shoes.”

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