‘Why would you run in court shoes when you can have trainers?’

I read with great interest your article by farrier Mark Johnson (Your Horse 469) as

I have always thought that steel shoes are somewhat old hat in a modern world. For 14 years my mare was shod in Öllöv original rubber horseshoes and she moved considerably better than she did in steel shoes — and this was over 20 years ago!

I now own a 17.2hh Selle Français x Warmblood and his feet have never been good. He had low heels and flat feet and I was warned by my vet that he could face navicular issues if this wasn’t addressed.

I did some research online and came across Alf Hall of the Equine Foot Clinic, who transformed my horse’s feet in six shoeings using EFC pads. These are half shoe, half pad, and allow the heels to function as they should. My then farrier continued with these, interspersed with normal shoeing, as my horse’s feet just do not grow in regular shoes. We also tried Duplo shoes and I was really pleased with the way he moved in them and the amount of foot he grew was amazing.

Unfortunately, during lockdown I had to change farriers and my horse is now in bar shoes, but I’m not convinced about these. I’m very pro composite horseshoes as I think the benefits far outweigh the negatives — after all, why would you want to run in court shoes when you can have trainers?

Not all farriers are willing to give composite horseshoes a go, however, which is why

Mark Johnson is a refreshing change. I just wish he was based a bit nearer to me.

Lisa Ingram, Essex