Ridecamp: Re: [RC] easy boots

In a message dated 8/6/2002 9:13:42 PM Pacific Standard Time, haksaw@xxxxxxxxxx writes:


> I do. Most of my clients do if needed. Especially if the horse was shod without
> pads.


I *guess* (being that I don't have actual experience with "racing") that some people who are doing rides at racing speeds "need" the extra edge of easy boots or pads. However, what happened to conditioning a horse from his feet up?  Take the time to toughen the horse's feet like we're supposed to and for the most part you don't need all of this contrived stuff.  A good horse can do the miles  (100s, multi-days, whatever) with a well shod set of steel shoes (nevermind the barefoot fantatics -- let's not go there -- although, I'm going no mail for 10 days so have at it <eg>).  

I think Bob Morris' basic concept of a good, sound horse doing lots of miles  because he's capable, well-conditioned and bred for the task deserves a moment of silence here.  Pretty soon our horses are gonna look like that dog in the anti-flea commercial (the one with the wet suit and snorkel on).

Sylvia