A new 2026 study has explored the relationship between barefoot racing in young trotters and career longevity, investigating whether racing without shoes from an early age may be linked to shorter racing careers.
What did the study investigate?
Researchers examined more than 12,000 Swedish trotters, including both Swedish Standardbred trotters and Swedish-Norwegian Coldblooded trotters, to explore whether the proportion of races run barefoot at a young age influenced long-term racing career length.
The study specifically analysed how frequently horses raced barefoot and whether this was associated with a greater likelihood of racing careers ending earlier.
What did the study find?
The findings suggested a clear association between more frequent barefoot racing at a young age and shorter racing careers.
In Swedish Standardbred trotters, horses that raced more than 30% of their races barefoot as 3-year-olds had a 14% higher risk of ending their racing career earlier compared to horses that raced barefoot infrequently (5% or fewer races).
In Swedish-Norwegian Coldblooded trotters (CB), the effect appeared stronger. Horses racing more than 30% of races barefoot had a 67% higher risk of ending their racing careers earlier, compared to those that raced barefoot rarely.
What did this mean in real-world terms?
Although the study identified a statistical link, the actual reduction in career length varied between breeds.
In Swedish Standardbred trotters, horses racing barefoot most frequently had careers shortened by around 3–4 months on average compared to those racing barefoot rarely.
In Swedish-Norwegian Coldblooded trotters, the impact appeared much greater, with careers shortened by approximately 10 months to over a year in horses racing barefoot more frequently.
Researchers note that the Coldblood findings should be interpreted more cautiously due to the smaller sample size included in that part of the study.
What do these findings actually mean?
In practical terms, the findings suggest there may be trade-offs between the short-term performance benefits often associated with barefoot racing and long-term racing longevity.
However, the findings are more nuanced than simply concluding that “barefoot racing is bad.”
The effect appears to vary between breeds
For Swedish Standardbred trotters, the impact on overall career length was relatively modest. Even in horses racing barefoot most frequently, careers were shortened by an average of around 3–4 months compared to horses racing barefoot rarely. While statistically significant, this may be considered a relatively small reduction within the context of a racing career spanning several years.
By contrast, the effect appeared much stronger in Swedish-Norwegian Coldblooded trotters, where more frequent barefoot racing was associated with reductions in career length of 10 months to well over a year. If supported by further research, this could have important implications for how barefoot racing is managed in younger horses within this breed.
Does this mean barefoot racing causes shorter careers?
Not necessarily.
This was an observational study, meaning it identified a relationship between factors rather than proving one directly caused the other. While barefoot racing was linked with shorter careers, researchers could not determine why individual horses retired from racing.
Career length can be influenced by many factors, including:
- injuries or physical wear,
- hoof quality and durability,
- trainer or owner decisions,
- breeding value,
- racing performance,
- and management strategies.
It is possible that horses racing barefoot more frequently experienced greater hoof wear over time, but this study could not confirm whether hoof-related problems were the true reason for retirement.
Why might barefoot racing influence career length?
While this study did not determine why horses racing barefoot more frequently had shorter careers, the authors discussed several possible explanations.
Shoes help protect the hoof from wear and tear, whereas barefoot racing removes this protection. Previous research referenced in the paper has suggested repeated barefoot racing may increase hoof wear, sole sensitivity and sensitivity to pressure within the hoof.
The study also highlights that not all horses appear equally suited to barefoot racing. Previous research has shown differences in hoof quality and genetics, meaning some horses may be better able to tolerate repeated barefoot racing than others.
However, the authors stress that this study did not track injuries or reasons for retirement, meaning it cannot determine whether hoof problems, performance, management decisions or other factors were responsible for shorter careers.
Why this matters for welfare and regulation?
These findings are likely to contribute to ongoing discussions around whether younger trotters should be allowed to race barefoot, particularly in countries where regulations differ.
The authors suggest the results may support a more cautious approach to barefoot racing in younger horses, particularly Coldblooded trotters. However, they are equally clear that more research is needed before firm conclusions or regulatory changes can be justified.
Ultimately, the study raises an important question for the industry:
How can the industry balance the potential performance advantages of barefoot racing with long-term durability, welfare and career longevity?
