In a message dated 7/25/2004 4:02:57 PM Pacific Standard Time, heidi@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:
NOT removing the protective coating from the entire hoof wall
This is another thing the poor show horse has to put up with. When my friends were showing their Arabs at the shows, they would take different grades of sandpaper and work on each hoof until it was smooth and finish it off with 00 steel wool. The hoof looked like a polished stone when they were through with it. Then, of course, the hoof was painted shiney black. The horse looked like he had four patent leather hooves. Some people used electric sanders to grind away on the hoof wall. They didn't want to be able to see or feel any bumps or creases in the hoof. Then after all of this, they would say to be sure to get the hoof black off after the show so that it wouldn't stay on and dry out the foot.
