In response to the question regarding shoes with
pads and whether to cut holes in them....we had holes in the pads at the World
Games in Spain, and were prepared (at least on Wave) to syringe the pad out at
each check. It worked fine for us, but others had some trouble, of course
no one was expecting the horrid soupy mud we got when it poured just hours
before the start, and then all day (5% chance of rain in Spain in
September--HA!)
My strategy at home (lots of mud) is to put a pad
on if I have to, and then cut it away after the ride leaving just a rim to avoid
softening of the sole due to no air flow. I have never had problems with
stuff getting under there and causing lameness - lots of blame is laid on
'stuff under the pads' that I think is unfounded-most horses don't have space
enough for much 'stuff' between a pad and the sole...just my
opinion.
I do like the idea someone posted from the archives
about cutting a peace symbol in the pad to protect the sole, yet let it
'breath'
