>>>>If so, why do they get so sore when removing the shoes? > > Maybe the tendons and ligaments of the legs and back need time to stretch > from years of odd trimming/shoeing? Maybe they have contracted heels?
OK, so can we assume that it is the shoe that is causing a problem to the horse's feet? Not that the horse is sore because he's not wearing shoes, but sore because the shoes have caused a problem which shows up when the shoes are removed? Does that sound plausible / possible? What impact do the shoes have on the hoof that would make the horse manifest problems without them? Judy http://icehorses.net http://clickryder.com
