I did this with my ex- eventer about 4 years ago. I now have him successfully barefoot on all 4 feet.  Initially it was to reduce concussion up through his hock joints. It's important to read all you can about barefoot hooves. It's easy if you are careful. The important points that I've learnt are to feed nothing that has sugar in it, ie. molasses or similar. Many feeds have molasses as a coating, so be very careful there. Feed a good quality vitamin/mineral supplement.  Make sure your horses feet are not allowed to get 'soggy'. Horses shoul ideally roam about 10miles a day.Very difficult for most of us in this country. I manage with well drained pasture and  a dry yard at night. Too much moisture allows grit etc. to penetrate the white line and cause problems. Neither should the hooves be so dry that they crack. Hoof balance is very important and you definitely need your farrier to be positive about taking this on, or look at barefoot trimmers in your area.

Good luck and read all you can on the barefoot websites.

Ask your blacksmith what he thinks and then try it.  You can always put the shoes back on.  I had a thoroughbred who was totally barefoot and did great without shoes.  I also currently have a thoroughbred mare who has only front shoes on and does great like this.  She does dressage, showing and hacking out.  She was shod all round when I got her 4 years ago and I took her back shoes off over 2 years ago after talking to my blacksmith.  He advised me to try it and suggested I take the back shoes off at the begining of winter as the ground is less hard.  This is what I did and she does great without them.  I have 4 other horses and they are shod or barefoot as there work and feet allow and range from a Cob to full thoroughbred, so it really depends on their work and feet.  Good luck and hope it all works out.