My horse pulled a shoe. Ok. No big deal, this happens.

He likely partially pulled it and spent some time stepping and standing on the clip, then fully pulled it, as he’s now lame on that foot. He prefers to lay down and can barely walk.

Usually I’d be concerned and a little disappointed. I have a horse show at the end of the month and this adds a touch of stress. Realistically, horse shows are significantly less important than my horse’s health and comfort, so scratching is a no brainer.

But I’m livid. All four of his feet are shod, and he’s in the only consistently muddy paddock on the property. I’ve brought this up to my barn owner multiple times, pointing out that this could cause many issues down the road. This mud has sucked my shoes off. He slips in it. It was only a matter of time.

When I bring it up to them they tell me there’s “nothing they can do” to help the mud and that “there’s no free paddock” for my horse. We’ve had five horses leave in the last year, three in single night turnout (like my horse, he’s a little ✨too friendly✨). I requested he move pastures every time, they declined.

Not all the horses at my barn have shoes. And he’s is in the most remote pasture at the barn.

I’m going to confront the barn owner again, politely, but firmly, using the pulled shoe as evidence that this pasture isn’t a fit for my horse. Is this out of line?