Does a horse need to be shoed or keeping their hooves cleaned okay?
More and more research has been pointing out-right that horses
don't need to be shoed. More and more horse owners are finding that
their horses are more healthy and better off without having iron
shoes nailed to their feet. Simply giving them a regular "wild
horse" trim and allowing them access to areas where they can
naturally wear their hooves down--merely by allowing them constant
access to pasture and not having to confine them to stalls and a
barn all the time--is far more simpler and more manageable for both
you and your horse than the complexities and health issues
associated with having a horse shoed.
Hence, to answer the question, no a horse does not need to be
shoed, so yes, keeping their hooves cleaned and trimmed regularly
is perfectly fine. Your horse will thank you for it.