I have had a mini for about 2 years now and I think she is really neat. I have never put shoes on her. she does just fine. her and my goats and dogs play together all the time . sometime I wonder if she even knows if she is a horse. lol I would not give her up for anything. I take her for walks down the street all the time. I do have her trimed when I get the big horses trim. I don't put shoes on any of my horses. they are all bearfoot. I don't know if this will help you but I hope it does a little. KOVERGIRE