Not all horses need shoes and not all horses can go barefoot. If your interested in the natural balance look up non bias information site thehorse.com is one of them. The theory with that is based on a study and trial on mustangs. And yes it works great on them. Their natural hoof shape,size,circumfrence,dimensions,thickness,stren gths. Problem is most of us don't own mustangs, we have some breed that slightly resembles what it should be, because someone want to tweek it a little, a few times around. Having a barefoot horse is great, but knowing how and when to shoe is even better.Not that you should try to do it, but at least know the difference between good/bad. Education never hurt anyone and the more you know the more $ you save. Also just because John Doe has been a blacksmith/farrier for 30+ years doesn't mean he was ever a good one.