This is not meant as a flame. I just couldn't
resist playing devil's advocate!
Lori Cox
--- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, September 23, 2001 6:53
AM
Subject: RC: Re: barefoot
Actually the whole hoof expands if it has been
properly trimmed. You would be supprised to see the difference in the
shape of my mustang's foot when it is in the air and the shape of her hoof
print on the ground.
hmmmmm....never was able to get
my horse to hold her hoof in the air when in motion...how do you do
that?
My horse goes barefoot in the spring until he starts
to wear more than he is growing.
So you admit that barefoot is better for the horse?
Why not use hoof boots if you have to?
I read Maggie's remark to read
"when it is appropriate". That means when she is not asking the horse to
travel at distances at speed over rough terrain. In other words, when not in
training, conditioning or endurance ride/race season
Then he generally will get front shoes first and
hind shoes when he needs them. My only objections to going barefoot is
the idea that because horses in the wild go barefoot, all horses should be
able to go barefoot as well...what our horses go through for us and the kind
of life they live as domesticated animals is nothing like the life they
would live in the wild. The feet do not grow the same
Do you mean the hooves grow slower? I know my Arab's
hooves grow about 2 to 3 times faster now that they are barefoot and the
hoof quality is better than ever befor! This is all because of the increased
circulation. They are also more healthy and even sweat less on the
trail!
From what I hear and read, I am
not convinced that having my horse sweat less is something I should be
wanting. If they are sweating and replenishing hydration, they are a lot
better off than not being able to expell toxins, etc.
and for most of us who don't have thousands of acres
of mountains or hills with rocks, etc.
I only have one acer, I wish I had more.
I will take it to mean that you
have one acre. (at first I thought you were referring to a tree....smile)
One acre for three horses? Doesn't sound like a "natural" environment to me.
the feet don't wear the same. You are
right, trimming is essential. However, not every horse can go barefoot
Are horses born with shoes on? Did God make a mistake
somewhere?
hmmmm.....were you born barefoot?
Do you wear shoes? I sure do and I am not about to subject my tender
tootsies to the gravel roads or toss rocks around my bedroom so my feet will
get tough. Why would I do that when I can get some pretty comffy tennies and
boots? Why would I not help my horse to be as comfy as I can make him or her
(don't answer that.....I already anticipate the answer......just playing
advocate here). But I do appreciate your and other's contributions to this
isue as we all must try to learn as much as we can about alternate methods,
ideas, etc. Discussion is healthy and so is an open mind.
Happy footin it.
Pat
just as every horse will not respond favorably to the
Strasser method or natural balance shoeing or whatever the current fad may
be. EVERY HORSE IS AN INDIVIDUAL and must be treated as such. If
you find what works for your horse, count yourself lucky. Nelson trims
and shoes a lot of problem horses for the reasons I mentioned above...we
subject them to OUR wishes and desires and the environment in which they
live. Shoes are a necessary evil sometimes....no, they are not
ideal. But if shod properly, a horse can go many miles in
comfort and safety. I would advise people to find what works for THEIR
horse (and sometimes it takes some trial and error whether it's angles for
trimming, shoeing methods or whatever) and then stick with it. I would
like to caution people about trimming out too much sole and frog...they have
a purpose. There is a difference between trimming out EXCESS and
trimming out for looks. When people ask us about trying something new
they have heard about it we ask them WHY? If the horse has a problem,
fine. We can try something new. If it ain't broke, why try to
fix it? JMHO,
Maggie
And don't forget to read and study we owe it to our horses to try to
give them the best! : )