You did a lot more background than I know.... I haven't done it.... except on my pony. She's always been barefoot, but who knows if she could stay that way in real work.... with her, real work is sortof hard to imagine. ;~D
I asked my farrier once if I would have to shoe her if someone started working her a little here at home... and he said some ponies hold up.... shetlands and other 'native' or 'primitive' type ponies have very hard and durable feet.... but not fancy English breeds like hackneys, ~usually~.
I'm thinking about getting me a wagon:') I don't want SL anywhere near the barn right now and that carrying the tack to the round pen and back a lot of wasted energy and I always forget something. I bought a small flat "dolley" months ago but it doesn't roll well on the ground. Before I just kept my stuff in the trailer. I may check out Toys R Us. :')
I have a friend who has a mustang. They have taken her to some rides where it's pretty rocky and she did fine barefoot. BUT they don't ride everyday on rocks. She has never been shoed as far as they know. I have always wondered how she would hold up with consistent riding.
Becky