Re: RC: Re: Re: barefoot

[Dbeverly4@aol.com]

In a message dated 6/26/01 11:06:23 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
losvagos@navicom.com writes:


> ; but if the rider/owner believes they have
> prepared the hoof and conditioned for the ride, I would think that no one
> knows better than the they if their horse ought to start.


True, but......having seen a barefoot horse road founder in Arizona a few 
years back, I don't take this whole subject lightly at all.  I have a 
question...How many horses have competed barefoot at the Malibu ride, or the 
Tevis, or any number of really rocky, tough rides?  (easyboots don't count as 
barefoot, btw).  I think barefoot is great if your horse can do it.  Just not 
ALL horses can and that is where it gets scary.  My friend who rode her horse 
on the above mentioned 50 mile NATRC ride had no idea that she was hurting 
her horse.  His endorphines were cranked up and he didn't show any sign of 
pain to the vets or to her until the finish when he was acting really sick 
and foundered.  Just a thought.

Sylvia