Many owners of shod horses choose to pull their shoes in the winter.  The horses are typically not being rode as much, especially if you don't have an indoor arena or live up North where it snows and gets very cold.

Pulling shoes allows the hooves to spread out naturally and gives them time to grow out nail holes.  Nail holes, over extended periods of time, may cause brittle hooves more problems.  It is nice to give your horse's feet a break and to allow them to grow naturally.  A natural hoof also gets better traction in the snow as they are able to dig into to it and in most cases a barefoot horse will not have as much snow build up in his feet.  The snow is easily popped out in most cases.

A sensible rider knows to avoid ice, as no horse will get good traction on ice.  They should also be able to determine if the whether is not too bad to be riding.  Using common sense and good judgement is key during this snowy time of the year. 

If you live down here in West Texas, you may choose to avoid this weather all together.  The wind is blistering cold and most people would rather wrap their horses up warm or shut stall doors to keep the horses out of the horrible wind.  We do our best to wrap up in blankets and just stay inside.