Re: RC: FW: conditioning effects

[Tivers@aol.com]

In a message dated 2/10/00 2:05:55 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
Kenzie_Kelly@spc.com writes:

<< I'm interested in this.  So, if I take my horse's shoes off, since he
 has "normal" feet, this should be better for him than keeping him
 shod?  Maggie, help me out here...  Should I try to go barefoot
 because it is better, or just follow the shoe route because that's
 what everyone does?  How do you know if your horse is better off
 barefoot if he's never been that way (in your care, under saddle,
 being worked)?  Would you have to protect with easyboots for a while,
 or just go cold-turkey and cut back on exercise, slowly working up to
 shod levels?
 
      Kenzie & Zane >>


You're horse probably won't be better off barefoot immediately. The hoof wall 
will have to toughen, as will, probably the sole. So, don't do this in the 
middle of the competitive season, but during the rebuilding phase.

ti