Most of my horses are barefoot and do very well. But, I have a couple that wear shoes either on the fronts only or on all four hooves during the summer/fall if they will be ridden regularly. If we travel to somewhere with rocky or rough terrain, I will shoe them before we leave. I'd rather not risk an injury if I'm unfamiliar with the terrain we will be on far from home. All of mine are barefoot during the winter.

I do, however, firmly believe that far more horses can and should go barefoot than actually do. If you can reset your horse's shoes three or four times without them wearing out, he's probably able to go barefoot. If you can't find/afford a farrier every 6 - 8 weeks, best leave the horse barefoot.