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Re: [RC] Ground Controls - Ridecamp Guest

Please Reply to: Nicole z_arabs@xxxxxxxxx or ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
==========================================

Hmmmm... this is a commonly reoccuring thread lately. :)

I have used GC shoes on one mare for 9 months or so.  She's done
2 LDs and 5 50s in them, and of course all the conditioning.  Not
the number of miles some people (Karen comes to mind) have with
theirs, but not insignifigant, either.  In that length of time I 
think I've only purchased three sets of shoes, they can be reset
quite a few times depending on the miles you're doing.

I really really really like these shoes.  I'm paranoid about
concussion.  These shoes are just fantastic, and then also give
plenty of grip (I would compare the grip to slightly more than
barefoot), and protection from rocks.  I've never had a problem
with rocks getting trapped in them, not even when riding over 
really rocky trails or gravel.  I've not had any problems with 
loose shoes or nails, either, once my farrier figured out how
to nail them on.  I introduced my farrier to these shoes -- he'd
used other plastic shoes in the past and predicted that I'd be
calling him out to replace the GCs the first time I had him put 
them on a horse.  He's now a convert and stocks the shoes and uses
them on lots of horses.

All that said, they're not for every horse.  The shoe allows the
foot to expand and contract with each footfall, just like it 
would when barefoot.  If your horse can't do pleasure riding while
barefoot, I doubt they could wear GCs for any serious miles.

I've got two more horses that will get them as soon as they're doing
too many miles to be barefoot.  But, I also have a horse that I
won't try them on since I know his feet are unlikely to hold up;
for him I use regular steel shoes with rim pads (remember I'm
paranoid about concussion).  

~Nicole


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