One in their chest and one in each hoof. This article from Laura K. Szeremi DVM, a veterinarian and horse lover from Lazer Ray Stables in Florence, Texas, explains why blood flow in a hoof is extremely important.
Laura, like so many others, has found that the hoof returns blood up the limb. As they each take a step the hoof expands drawing blood into the hoof. As the hoof comes off the ground, the hoof contracts and pushes blood back up the leg. This is why the horse has 5 hearts.
Even Dr Bowker's peripheral loading study showed the more blood flow, the healthier the hoof. (Peripheral loading of the hoof occurs when the hoof wall bears more of the weight.) So a metal shoe or anything that only lets the horse bear weight on the wall is inhibiting the heart of the hoof to pump. To understand peripheral loading check out "Peripheral Loading and the Pad Effect" by Yvonne Welz.
Laura's article states that improperly nailing a rigid shoe will inhibit the hoof
mechanism. "No shoe will allow the mechanism to work as it would without the shoe." Removable hoof boots are an alternative to shoes. She mentions EasyCare in her article but specifically the Easyboot Bare. She just started to use these boots and mentions she would give a full report, but she has not updated that area. You may not be able to read what she thinks of the Easyboot Bare, but see what the current product rating is from other Bare users or check out the testimonials.
The Easyboot Bare is designed to stretch and flex, mimicking the movements of the naturally bare hoof. Using this boot with our comfort pads will help the heart of the hoof to pump blood and significantly reduce any peripheral loading.
Check out her article on "Why Barefoot". You will find more useful information in there such as Mustang feet, transition to barefoot and her case studies.
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