Just putting my 2 cents in here. I have 3 horses. My oldest Monti turned 30 this year. He has great feet. He wears shoes (we have only had him 2 years) He has pads in his shoes. But since he is sound we are leaving well enough alone. If it ain't broke don't fix it Next we have Dakota he's 20 He has feet of rock. He's barefoot. We tried to shoe him after we got him (a year ago) only to have him flip out break cross ties go insane... He came up lame after that.6 months ago we had him x-rayed. arthritis. I'm sure that must have hurt having those nails pounded into his feet. He still limps at a trot but he's still happy to go on the trail ride. Even if its only ponied to Monti. Lastly Nugget my pride and joy. He's 12 and after we had him almost a year his feet fell apart. We started losing shoes I put him on farriers formula I took a year to get his feet good. But 6 months ago I pulled his shoes. He had worn shoes his whole life (one owner prior to me) It took the whole 6 months for his feet to stop being ouchy. I put boots on him when te ground was frozen soild. He hates the boots. I'd ride him in the boots he would be a complete jerk. after his last trim I said the hell with the shoes and rode him everyday on rocky trail rides. He got over the ouchy! I think he was pulling my leg. He's just too smart for me. I used simple boots for the turn out and boa boots for riding Both were easy to use.. I rode in the boas only because they were smaller. Dee