08/07/2026
From July Barefoot News:
UK Trainer Endorses Barefoot Race Training
"It's very different, but it's worked for us!" United Kingdom racehorse trainer Chelsea Banham recently discussed how she trains her horses barefoot, and has even raced some successfully barefoot!
In a recent interview, Sky Sports Racing journalist asked: "This is the horse that doesn't run with any shoes on, is that right?"
Chelsea Banham: "We have quite a few with no shoes on, but actually funny enough, he's actually been giving himself speedy cuts on the turnoff. We run them and the shoes come straight off as soon as we come back home. So they actually all train barefoot, just to help their soles, their heels re-engage, and stuff like that. We've taken them off, and I've already looked today, and he's not cut himself at all. And as soon as we put the shoes back on, I don't know if he tries to get too quick for his own good, but he can knick himself on the inside of his hind legs."
The journalist continues: "I love it, it is just so unusual in horse racing!"
Chelsea Banham: "Yeah, I know, it's very different, but it's worked for us and it has worked for a few horses as well, who didn't actually move as well with them on, and then we took the shoes off and they actually move better. It does work, not for all, but for a good majority."
Racehorses are generally not allowed to race fully barefoot (unshod) in the UK under British Horseracing Authority (BHA) rules, though limited exceptions or partial shoeing (e.g., no hind shoes) are possible with prior dispensation, and practices have varied by surface and case. Chelsea Banham probably received permission to run with no hind shoes, as fully unshod (barefoot) racing is effectively not permitted as standard and requires exceptional approval. But, who knows? We'd love to find out more details!
Enjoy the full video clip from Sky Sports Racing:
https://x.com/AtTheRaces/status/2074153578852175992
Sign up directly for The Horse's Hoof Barefoot News right here:
https://mailchi.mp/thehorseshoof/50-giveaway-e
