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Re: [RC] Alpines new shoes - Lynne Glazer

When they need 'em, they need 'em. Though you could've opted for hoof protection other than shoes, it's surely easy to do shoes.

We had the acid test on Saturday--my boy's soles are flattish and with increased conditioning he became very sensitive over the rocks, he had been barefoot with a natural balance trim for a year. Put shoes on about 5 weeks ago, my farrier nailed them on without shaping (Natural Balance steel). Only now does he even look like he has the right amount of toe length. He did a hard and hot 50 on Saturday, his first, and most of the first 30ish miles were pretty rocky (the rest was sand). He was fine, and was strong at the finish, with more wear on his hind shoes than his fronts (from being taught to school him correctly to work off of his hind end!)

I, too, miss the cost savings...but like the feel of riding an all- terrain pony again, and he travels with joy.

Lynne

On May 21, 2005, at 10:33 AM, agilbxr@xxxxxxx wrote:

Well, after a year and a half of barefoot, I had to break down today and shoe my pony. I've been riding longer and faster than I ever have, and I'm afraid that I have worn Al's feet down too much. I went to ride yesterday, and discovered Alpine was just smidge off, but not what I'd call lame. Checked his legs with a fine tooth comb, no heat, no swelling, nothing. Sooo, since my farrier was due out today anyway, I put him in his room and waited.

Kenny (the farrier), was checking out Alpines foot after I told him my pony was off, and when he hit the toe area, Al started biting the lead rope. But he never twitched that foot...crazy guy. After a little trimming and some probing later, there it was! The dreaded abcess. (aren't abcess's supposed to make horses drastically lame???). Anyway, Kenny and I chatted about feet and riding and stuff, and it was decided that he needed his feet shod. Darn! I liked paying $20 for a trim. My check book whined a bit about $65 front shoes. *grin*

Anyway, he has a nice shiny new set of shoes ( he got rim shoes. I don't know if that makes any kind of difference or not). He was in the pasture showing them off when I left. And trotting much sounder...I know, not necessarily from the shoes, but cause we found the abcess and opened it. So, I have instructions that I am supposed to show up tomorrow morning and trot him out. If he's 100% sound, he's going on a short ride to get used to his new tootsies. Yay!

Juli and Alpine (hey! wanna see...they are shiny!)


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