Re: RC: no shoes

[Lynne Glazer <lynne@glazer.org>]

Hi,

PLEASE check the ridecamp archives for the past month, the amount of 
discussion on this topic has nauseated most of us.  People who think 
horses should "never be shod" and can "be competitive in endurance" 
really got us going, especially from those who don't have a track 
record.  Since the Strasser/Jackson barefoot "movement" isn't very 
old in this country, there aren't many who have competed for very 
long without hoof protection.  You can go to yahoogroups.com and join 
the barefoot cultists, but be aware that it's oriented towards this 
one method and they don't tolerate deviation.  I sent a friend who 
has done his own successful trimming for years there, and he got 
turned off in the first few days.

Not having weighed in on the earlier discussion, I personally believe 
that horses can go until the hoof wear exceeds the hoof growth.  Then 
they need hoof protection, but that doesn't have to be shoes 
necessarily.  My coming-5 year old has never had shoes--but he is 
really just starting his LSD mileage, and you can bet he'll get shoes 
if he needs them.  Conditions are different in our great big country, 
and ride conditions often vary from that of training sites.  Best of 
luck to you, as you explore increasing mileage on differing terrain; 
sounds like you've got a good shot at doing well, as long as you're 
aiming at completion rather than 1st place.  I think the rides that 
are mostly rocks would be daunting without protection, feel free to 
ask which ones are in that category in our region.

Ride mgrs have the option of setting rules beyond what the AERC regs 
are.  Most rides specify whether hoof protection is required or 
merely recommended.  My ride, for instance, has few rocks but is 
mostly decomposed granite, which is very abrasive.  My rule states 
that hoof protection is recommended.  Some people did it barefoot 
successfully last year.

Lynne
Norco Riverdance Ride (PS) 8/31/02



>Douglas quixrace@sierratel.com
>I live and ride about two hours north of LA in the Piute Mountains, an
>area of mainly decomposed granite and rocks near the PCT.  I pulled the
>shoes from my Arab mare and my Appy about four years ago and both now have
>feet like iron, with zero problems.  I inspect feet daily, learned how to
>maintain their feet myself, and again, no problems have developed.  Both
>horses are pastured 365 days on 90 acres of decomposed granite 24/7 with
>daily alfalfa pellet feeding of about one-third of their daily
>requirements, and regularly give me 25 - 35 mile days, going from 3200
>feet to 6000 and back.
>
>I have done one AERC 30 at Tar Springs a few years ago (with shoes on the
>mare) and want to start again in 2002, starting with 25/30's and working
>up.
>
>My question is this - what is the current regulation on horses with no
>shoes at AERC events ?  Will we be restricted or barred from any rides at
>the 25/30 mile or 50 mile level ?  Regulations aside, what is the current
>thinking on barefoot horses ?
>
>I really don't want to shoe either horse as their feet are just beautiful,
>and they are very happy, never showing any indication of tender feet.
>When I'm on the trail, if the ground looks rougher than I would want to
>run on in soft shoes, I walk them.  They are used to rough terrain, shale,
>and small rocks, such as fire roads and the PCT.  Both are great at
>picking their way around rocks on the trot or at a walk.
>
>What's the scoop ?